Buddha Sakyamuni (mural painting, monastery Shalu)
Buddha Sakyamuni (mural painting, monastery Shalu)

Buddhism is one of the five great world religions. It originates from Siddharta Gautama, who lived about 2,500 years ago in India and was called “the Buddha” (the Awakened). His teachings aim at helping all sentient beings to overcome suffering and to fully develop one’s spiritual potential. In Buddhism this doesn’t take place by means of mere faith or by being redeemed by an external power but through one’s own insight and realization which is based on studies, meditation and practical implementation – hence a practice which involves intellect and emotion at the same time. Buddhism doesn’t claim to be the only true doctrine or to represent the only truth nor does it go against other doctrines, religions or philosophies in principle.

In the course of centuries different, supplementary schools and traditions of Buddhism have formed which respect each other.

Starting in the 7th century Mahayana Buddhism – the Sanskrit term ‘Mahayana’ means ‘Great Vehicle’ – reached Tibet coming from India in several waves including its Tantric form known as Vajrayana – Diamond Vehicle.

In Tibet various schools of Buddhism gradually developed. The one which was formed last – the Gelugpa tradition – is based on the work of the great master Je Tsongkhapa (1357 – 1419). Tibethaus belongs to this tradition. The best-known representative of Tibetan Buddhism today is H. H. the Dalai Lama who is highly regarded and respectfully honored throughout the world due to his deep wisdom and love of peace.

As early as over a hundred years ago the first Buddhist circles were founded in Europe. Those circles mainly relied on translated canonical Buddhist texts. In the second half of the 20th century the tradition of Japanese Zen Buddhism became particularly popular to be quickly followed by the first centers of Tibetan Buddhism gaining soon in size and dynamic power and becoming as important as other traditions in the West. The numerous bigger or smaller groups of different Buddhist schools and traditions in Western countries are mostly characterized by their faithful following certain Asian traditions on the one hand and their search for a practical way of integrating those teachings into our Western way of life and culture on the other hand.

Tibetan saying prayers
Tibetan saying prayers

©2009 - Tibet House Germany e.V.

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