In the list of world religions, Buddhism is assigned one of the most significant places. In fact, this is not so much religion as philosophical doctrine: Buddha himself said that there are no gods as Creators of the Universe.
He even fought the phenomenon of paganism in his homeland (in Hinduism, a pantheon of different gods and their avatars). In modern language, Buddha was an ardent atheist: he forbade his disciples to be distracted by thinking about any gods. In Buddhism, it is believed that the world did not arise on its own, there was some reason for the world to arise, and it arose.
Buddhism is a living doctrine
It takes evidence-based facts, an approach to the study and study of the world, and is adjusted over time. Buddhism does not stand still, it is constantly evolving.
For example, in Buddhist treatises it was written that the Earth is flat. But science has proven that the Earth is round. And the Buddhists accepted this: they said: “Our thinkers of the past were mistaken in this regard. Science proved that the Earth is round, ”and began to live in peace with this knowledge. In Buddhism there is no place for mysticism, there is logic and understanding of the work of human consciousness. This teaching currently has 414,767,000 officially registered followers around the world.
There are many branches and schools in Buddhism. This happened due to the fact that after the death of the Buddha, his disciples had disagreements on some issues, and Teacher was no longer alive, so there was no one to judge them. One of these branches is Tibetan Buddhism.
What is Lama in Buddhism
Translated from the Tibetan language, the lama means "the highest", "spiritual guide."
The word “lama” has a deep meaning: for a Lama who professes Buddhism, he is a person to whom he refers as his own father, as well as someone who helps to follow the Path of Enlightenment.
In Tibetan temples, lamas are called priests who have reached a certain spiritual level, who decided to devote their lives to walking the Path.
Sometimes a lama in Buddhism is not a clergyman or monk in a Tibetan temple. This can be an ordinary worldly person who has reached a high spiritual level and can become a teacher for those Tibetan Buddhists who do not want to bind themselves with vows and live in a monastery.
How to Become a Lama in Buddhism
Anyone tired of the endlessly spinning Wheel of Samsara can become a lama.
The basic requirements for those who wish to become a lama are the same for everyone:
1. If there is an irresistible desire to become a lama in order to be a spiritual mentor and teach people - you need to get rid of this ambition, because pride is not good.
2. Develop the qualities of a bodhisattva.
3. To tirelessly develop and learn: a llama must be a wise and interesting person.
4. Learn the practices of the Vajrayana Tantras. These practices should be taught to the future lama by his personal lama teacher.
5. Receive initiations, vows, initiations, commitments, and transfers.
The hierarchical staircase of Tibetan lamas
There is a hierarchy of llamas in Buddhism: the "newcomers" have low dignities, but any lama can advance to a higher level.
The highest levels are not accessible to ordinary people, but first things first.
The hierarchy of "non-incarnate" lamas - lower ranks
Non-embodied llamas are ordinary people who, at a young age for some reason and belief, decide to go to a monastery, devote themselves and their lives to the service of all living beings.
Bundi (rabjung) is a novice who, for several years, is obliged to fulfill vows and obligations exactly to prove that he is worthy of being a lama. You could become a rabjung at the age of 6 years. Nowadays, rabjungs are accepted only from 17-18 years old, at the end of a general educational institution.
At the age of 14, the gangster takes the dignity of Getsula, and now he already has 36 vows and related obligations. At the age of 21, the Getsul takes the dignity of gelong, and together with the dignity takes 253 vows with obligations.
Higher are the learned llamas
In Tibetan Buddhism, there is a system of scholarships. The learned Buddhist lamas are highly respected and respected among other lamas as well as among the laity.
Lama scholars are engaged in the interpretation of the dogmas of faith, shamanistic healing, astrology. It is they with the Geshe degree who make up a special horoscope and calculate the approximate place, name and time of reincarnation of the llama from the highest echelon.
They also took part in the political life of Tibet, counted happy or unlucky days for rulers, and also acted as their advisers.
There are only 5 scientific degrees:
1. Rabjampa - even a seventh year student can get this degree if he diligently studies, passes all exams and tests without tails.
2. Doramba is a special degree.
3. Habju.
4. Tsogramba.
5. Geshe - "friend of virtue" - a doctor of Buddhist sciences, expressed in a secular language.
A lama from the lower hierarchy can become a scientist, for this he must study the higher dogma of Buddhism - the system of Tsanids.
Lamas study the cyanide system in only one school called Gelung Pa. The course of study lasts from 12 to 20 years.
Reincarnation Lamas - Tulku
Tulku is the highest hierarchy of lamas in Buddhism. These are authoritative clergy who are entitled to high rank only upon the fact of their birth.
Buddhist philosophy speaks of bodhisattvas - great masters who have reached the highest point of spiritual development and can rightfully go to Nirvana after the earthly shell has served its purpose.
But these people are so noble and merciful to everyone living on the planet that, instead of finally breaking out of the Wheel of Samsara, they agree to voluntarily incarnate again and again in order to serve for the benefit of all living beings and help them.
Before leaving their old body and incarnating in a new one, the great masters leave clues for their students where to look for a new incarnation. If for some reason the hierarch did not indicate the place of his future birth, this makes an oracle in which the deity is infused, and indicates the place of the new birth.
Sometimes the beloved disciples of the great master, among whom there are learned llamas, make up a special horoscope, which reveals where to look for a new incarnation of the tulkus. After a certain time (from a year to three years), the best and beloved students of the highest lama go to these lands and begin to search for little boys, who should be from a year to three years.
They go into houses, get acquainted with parents and kids and offer them toys and objects of the deceased great master. Usually it is a rosary, a bell, a drum, an amulet and a book. If the boy takes the things of the deceased guru and does not want to say goodbye to them, protests, cries and shouts: “Give it back! This is mine! ”Means, most likely, a new incarnation of the great master has been found.
But it’s not so simple, the child needs to go through several recognition procedures by other higher lamas, and in the end by the Dalai Lama himself. If the Dalai Lama recognizes the tulku, he performs a rite of circumcision for the boy’s hair and gives him a new name.
After the recognition, the boy is taken home and asked for parental consent to take the baby to the monastery, where he will live and study, and subsequently serve for the benefit of all living beings. Usually parents give their consent, although this decision is given with great difficulty.
A detailed search and recognition procedure for the tulkus is shown in the documentary “The Chosen One” - this is the true story of how they looked for a new incarnation of the great master Lama Konchong.
The hierarchy of the highest lamas - unearthly noble people
There are several Supreme Lamas - Consciously Reincarnated Great Masters - but the most important in the hierarchy:
- Panchen Lama;
- The Dalai Lama
Each of these people can freely end their earthly incarnations and rest in Nirvana, but they prefer to return to Earth to help and benefit all living beings. For this, they are infinitely respected not only by Tibetan Buddhists, but also by representatives of other religions and even atheists.
The second highest rank after the Dalai Lama is the Panchen Lama. He has the highest spiritual power, but has no political and secular influence. The first incarnation of the Panchen Lama was in 1385
The most important on the hierarchical ladder in Tibetan Buddhism is the Dalai Lama. The Dalai, great as the ocean of Lama, is the embodiment of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.
Who is Avalokiteshvara
As a monk, Avalokiteshvara was very compassionate to all living beings, he swore to Amitabha Buddha that he was ready to sacrifice his personal peace, joy and peace in order to free all living beings from the bonds of Sansara. And if this does not succeed, then let it tear into many parts.
Avalokiteshvara succeeded in this. But new people were born on Earth. He also freed them from the bonds of Samsara. And then new ones were born. The Bodhisattva and them led to Nirvana. But then new, new and new people began to be born, many people ...
Then Avalokiteshvara realized that he was not able to keep his vow, and from great sorrow his head split into eleven parts, and his body into thousands.
The Buddha saw this and said: "Do not grieve, because the main thing is your intention - this is the cherished desire of all Buddhas." And brought him back to life. Since then, Avalokiteshvara has had 11 goals so that he can see all parts of the world and the thousand hands with which he is able to convey compassion and love to every living creature.
The first incarnation of the Dalai Lama
This event took place in 1391 and lasted until 1474. His name was Gendun Oak. He was a very wise man. He wrote several treatises on logic and 6 volumes of commentaries on the most important Buddhist primary sources.
In 1447, Gendun Oak founded Tashilunpo, one of the largest monasteries in Tibet.
He received the title of the Dalai Lama in Buddhism posthumously after the little Gendun Gyatso declared to his parents that he was the reincarnation of Gendun Oak. After that, the boy became the second Dalai Lama.
The current incarnation of the Dalai Lama
Ngagwang Lovzang Tenjing Gyamsho made the political decision to no longer reincarnate. Or choose a successor during his lifetime. His Holiness will make an exact decision when he is 90 years old. At the moment, the Dalai Lama is 83 years old.
We hope that during these 7 years, the Chinese authorities will change their tactics in relation to His Holiness as a whole, and to His reincarnations.