Are there any tibetan buddhists around?
155244
I'm not a Tibetan practitioner, but I'm very intrested in all Mahayana schools, especially anything to do with the Lotus Sutra,\nEmail me at Shinai_Inaozuke@yahoo.com, if you want to talk
155467
In the United States the dominant form of Buddhism is Mahayana Buddhism, and Theravada Buddhism is confined to a few viharas. \nBuddhism in the West is a relatively recent development made possible by the breakdown in the State protection accorded to Christianity in Europe. When Buddhism became first known in the West it evoked great interest, especially as it came at a time when Darwinism and other areas of scientific discovery had considerably eroded the basis of Christianity. However this initial spurt of enthusiasm has not been kept up, and since then the Dhamma has been in regression in most of the West, at least amongst the native populations. \n\nTwo dangers confront the spread of Buddhism in the West in the present period. One is the spread of ethnic Buddhism which in some instances has transformed the universal message of the Buddha into a parochial cult. The other is the attempt to transform Buddhism into a minor meditation therapy by certain "teachers" who have not understood the role that "meditation" plays in the Buddha's scheme of liberation, as most of these "teachers" of Buddhism have learnt their "meditation" from Eastern gurus.\nBuddhism in Western countries have taken up two main routes. One is the formation of Buddhist Societies mainly amongst lay-persons centered on the study of texts, and lectures by experts or exponents of Buddhism. The other route was to establish Viharas which have been the usual units around which Buddhists have congregated in Theravaada countries. In most Asian countries the institutional mode is almost exclusively the Vihara model, but in the West it was normal for secular Societies to be established. However both modes can and indeed should exist in the West, but the Viharas established in the West should be in the mainstream of Buddhism, not replicas of ethnic temples imported from the East. We shall consider both these modes of institutional Buddhism in the West, but with the greater emphasis on the Vihara mode.
473029
Yes. There were a number of Brahmin hermits, Hindu ascetic & Vedic monks and Yoga masters (Yogi's) all advocating meditation. The Buddha studies with several masters from many of these tradition's.\n\nIf you are interested in an in depth look at the Buddha, what he studied and the word around him, go to the link below. It has a lot of information. \n\nhttp://www.buddhanet.net\n\nIn particular, for the life of the Buddha, check out this page:\n\nhttp://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/lifebuddha/index.htm\n\nI hope this helps.
119377
Like most people whose opinions were formed by the Western press, I used to think Tibet was worse off under the Chinese, but since living in China, where it's hard to see  these publications, but easy to hear the Chinese view, I'm not so sure.  Obviously the Chinese-installed Panchen Lhama is not the man the Dhalai Lhama is - nowhere near as impressive : not even the Chinese leadership shows him any respect - but the old system does seem to have been upgraded in favor of the poorer people there.\nThe Chinese have completed a major highway thru to Llasa - an extremely hard job, over permafrost for much of the way.\nALSO, they've very recently finished the first railway.  Now you can get to Beijing in 48 hours by train.\nOf course air travel is the quickest way and increasing numbers of tourists go that way.\nI've always been an imperialist, so I tend to think Tibet is better off being a part of China (which of course is, at last, booming).  If you look at the Panchen Llama and compare him to Wen Jiaobao, you'll also feel perhaps, as I do, that the latter is a more impressive leader, by a broad margin.
427655
For just BUDDHISM:\n\n(1) BODH GAYA, where Gautama Buddha's attained Enlightenment.\n(2) SARNATH, where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha was founded.\n(3) KUSHINGAR, where Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana, and was cremated.\n(4) LUMBINI, commonly recognized as the birth site of Gautama Buddha. \n(5) ANURADHAPURA, which contains the 2300 year old holy Bo tree relic Sri Maha Bodhi.\n(6) KANDY, which is the site of the Dalida Maligawa, the Temple of the Tooth. \n\nTIBETAN BUDDHISM:\nMore important than anything inherent to the places is the presence of the holiest leaders, the highest lamas, who are considered reincarnations of their predecessors.\n\n(1) LHASA, seat of the Dalai Lama (now in exile in Dharamsala, India) in the Potala palace, also national (and under Chinese rule regional) capital of Tibet. \n(2) SHIGATSE, seat of the Panchen Lama, also the country's second city. \n(3) TSURPHU, (later in exile Rumtek in Sikkim, India), seat of the Karmapa Lama, not a proper city, rather a monastic site fairly close to Lhasa.\n\nHope that helps! ^_^
1133854
My dear friend, \n\nBelow I have done my best to try and explain the sects of Buddhism to level comprehensible to the general public; I sincerely hope it helps you.\n\nHowever, I first must briefly touch on the answer given by [Ronin], which is undoubtedly more a source than an answer.  To comment, our friend here has asked us to help her understand the differences between the branches of Buddhism, as she hasn't "been able to understand them perfectly and was wondering if anyone could put them into layman’s terms for [her]".  Citing wikipedia does neither for her, and I believe you may even insult her by suggesting she does not know how to search for information.  People come her, to the answers services because they have been unsuccessful in their quest for an answer; hence it is up to people who may know the answer to try and assist them in any way that we can, and not simply throw them more incomprehensible information.\n\nA period after the pir-nirvana of the Lord Buddha, the "Elders" and the "Novices" of Buddhism had an argument regarding the preservation of offerings for an overnight situation.  This let to a fine separation into 2 factions of Buddhism: Theravada and Mahasamghika (Elders and Novices) - the terms used previously are given in the ancient language Sanskrit.  In fact, the Mahasamghika was the stepping stone or hint that another form of Buddhism would take place, and that form would be known as Mahayana Buddhism.  Mahayana Buddhism was introduced to the world by Nagarjuna Buddha (or Nagarjuna Bodhisattva - depending on tradition), and the Mahasamghika slowly dissipated into another form of Buddhism, known as Hinayana.\n\nSo to briefly bring things into perspective:  Hinayana, Mahayana and Theravada.  However, this is not the end yet.  Some people actually place Theravada Buddhism under the banner of Hinayana Buddhism.  So, there are mainly the two branches: Hinayana and Mahayana (but readers please take note, it is not that I am in total agreement of this; I merely wish to use it as an example to simplify matters).  Now, to help you understand the differences.  Places like Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Sri Lanka, India etc are all examples where Hinayana Buddhism is prominent; their Dharma Robes are easily distinguished tending to look like a very large cloth wrapped around their body.  Countries like China, Taiwan, Korea, Tibet, Japan etc are all examples where Mahayana Buddhism is prominent; their Dharma Robes are not so easily distinguished tending to vary from tradition, but one thing is certain, and that is they often have a look of Chinese Tang Dynasty Royal Family robes.\n\nWell, "is that all", you ask?  No, because within the Mahayana tradition there is another lineage of Buddhism, known as the Tantrayana (or Vajrayana).  All the countries mentioned in the category of Mahayana fit this description, but please take note that there is an extremely large amount of overlapping.  And to complicate matter even further, these branches of Buddhism are separated in another general manner:  Exoteric and Esoteric.\n\nSo to conclude:\nExoteric Buddhism - Hinayana Buddhism (Thailand, Sri Lanka...etc)\n             - Mahayana Buddhism (Taiwan, Korea, China)\n\nEsoteric Buddhism-Tantrayana Buddhism (China, Tibet, Japan)\n\nRemember, it all depends in what context you are speaking of.\n\nI hope I have helped you, and would appreciate criticism and education from the learned friends of the world wide web.\n\nvhy
1072608
Can contact Chinmaya mission, ramakrishna mission.\nIsha Yoga meditation, 'Vazhva vazhamudam' group
77065
Tibet, they use yak milk
65271
He is the top of the religion in Tibet
608899
Don't see... many... Buddhists? Don't live in China, do you? Estimates vary, but even low estimates are around 300 million worldwide. That's a little more than the population of the entire united states, for comparison.
270739
The short answer is no, not all people have the same chance of being saved. I have not been to either Mongolia or Bhutan, but I have close friends who have been there, and I have spent many hours in prayer for the people of those countries. Did you kow that Bhutan charges hundreds of dollars (US) Per Day, just for a Christian to breathe air inside the country? The Bhutanese government has done everything in their power to make it all but impossible for the Gospel to reach the Bhutanese people. As a Christian, this is heartbreaking. As for following the "good way" this link will lead you to my answer on that subject.\nhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Arza_HnelTHDkKiUL_Ljb2jsy6IX?qid=1006030600650\n\nYou're absolutely right about what place and time a person is born into having a direct effect on whether or not they will have access to the gospel, and have the opportunity to be saved.\nThat is why Jesus told His followers to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every ethnic group on the planet.\nIn the first century AD, the ratio of people who had access to the gospel was about 1:100.\nToday, that ratio is about 1:3-1:5 (This number varies a little depending on what criteria is used to decide what constitutes "access to the gospel".) So, that said, A person born in Bhutan today, has a better chance of hearing the gospel than a person born in the U.S. in the first century AD.\n\nI think the real question you're asking though, is "Does God love the Bhutanese as much as He loves the American?"\nThe answer is YES! There ARE some (very few) Bhutanese who are Christians, and there are some (too few) Christians who are actively trying to reach the Bhutanese with the gospel.\nThe real problem is that there are all too many (especially Western) Christians who are quite simply ignorant of the fact that God loves the Bhutanese as much as God loves them, and/or are not loving their Bhutanese 'neighbor' as much as they love themselves. The fact that Christianity (as a whole) is not doing what Jesus told them to do, does not call God's character into question so much as reveals the fact that we (Christianity as a whole) have not been faithful to emulate God's character in their own lives.\nIf every Christian church in the state of California alone sent ONE member of their congregation to a place that had no access to the Gospel, there would be no place on earth that did not have access to the gospel.\nSo, God is not unjust or unloving - God's people are being disobedient, selfish, and lazy - thus giving God a bad name.
9105
The Buddhist faith has many sects, as Christianity does, i.e., Catholics, Baptists (some sub-groups in that one), Latter Day Saints, etc.  Just as there are many "types" of bibles, such is true for Buddhism as well.  I belong to and practice Zen Buddhism, and Zen practitioners do not read some texts that say, Tibetan Buddhists do.\n\nJust my two cents...
20008
Buddhism\nIn india..gaya?
1008933
This are just a few of the complete list (find a remote access bellow)\nHampshire\n\nCittaviveka - Chithurst Buddhist Monastery \nChithurst, Petersfield, Hampshire GU31 5EU\nTel: (01730) 814 986 Fax: (01730) 817 334\nStewards: English Sangha Trust, Cittaviveka.\nTradition: Theravada Forest Sangha\nAffiliation: English Sangha Trust\n\nCommunity of Interbeings\nContact: Rob Burnfield \nWater Meadows, High Street, Stockbridge Hants SO20 6HB\nTel: 01264 810021 (Rob Burnfield)\nor 023 8058 3749, Fax: 01264 356713 (Jillian Cooke) \nTradition: Teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh\nAffiliation: Community of Interbeing, UK\n\nHampshire Buddhist Society\n15 St. Anne's Gardens, \nSouthampton, Hampshire, SO19 9FJ\nContact: Rosaline Dean\nTel: 023 8042 2430\nEmail: semdean@netscapeonline.co.uk\nTradition: Theravada, Rinzai Zen & Tibetan, Nyingmapa\nAffiliation: Chithurst Buddhist Monastery; The Zen Centre, London; Rigpa \nPortsmouth Buddhist Group\nContact: Dave and Joan Beal,\n42 Crofton Road, Milton, Portsmouth PQ4 8NY\nTel: 023 9273 2280\nTradition: Theravada \nAffiliation: Cittaviveka Chithurst Buddhist Monastery\n\nRomsey Buddhist Group\nContact: Rev. Ganshin Rock\n44 Alma Road, Romsey, Hants SO51 8ED\nTel: 01794 512735\nTradition: Japanese Tendai\nAffiliation: Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai, Japan\n\nhttp://www.buddhanet.net/euro_dir/eur_uki4.htm
417769
There is NO way that Tibet will be returned from Chinese Communist control. As long as the Chinese are strong as they are now, Tibete will always remain under their control. The Chinese have also done sometehing else to ensure that Tibet remains Chinese. They have thousands of soldiers in that area and have allowed inter-marriage with the Tibetians. This has happened so much that Tibet is actually Chinese. As a side note. China did the same thing to Sikkim, a little kingdom to the North of India. It is now Chinese. They are trying hard and have been for the past few years to take over NEPAL. Eventually, they will have that under their control also.(Side note: I have been to Nepal twice and it is such a beautiful country high in the Mountains where Mt. Everest is). Also another country to the north of India.. Brutan.. is fast becoming Chinese territory.
340601
You've included such interesting background information in your question. I wish I had a better answer.\n\nI only know half a dozen Tibetans. Five of them despise China, and one professes ambivalence toward China. But I certainly don't think they represent all Tibetans. \n\nYou might try posing your question in a forum that is likely to attract more Tibetans & Tibetan scholars, such as one or more of the discussion groups listed in the Tibet section of this page:\nhttp://www.case.edu/artsci/asia/asiamail.html\n(scroll down near the bottom)
280628
The Dalai Lama functions as the head of the Tibetan Buddhist Church, sort of like a pope.  And for most of history, Tibet has been an independent country, with its capital at Lhasa, and with the Dalai Lama also functioning as head of Tibet's government, not just its church.\n\nThe Chinese and the Tibetans have a long-standing grudge over who is really in charge of Tibet. It goes back at least to the 1200s.  Tibet is far from the Chinese center of power, so China only wins the argument during times when it's got a strong government.\n\nThe Communist party took Beijing in 1949, declaring the foundation of the People's Republic of China, and by 1950 their army was invading the eastern part of Tibet.  In 1959 they took over the rest, which forced the Dalai Lama to flee with his government to India.  It's been that way ever since.\n\nAs far as other parties go, the US CIA backed Tibetan resistance efforts to get the Chines out of Tibet until 1969, as part of Cold War Strategy, but then they stopped.