The Vajrayana Buddhism Spread (Buddhism 3)

You might frequently hear the word “living Buddha” (Tulku) or Vajraguru, Vajracarya, Rinpoche with its incarnation for the umpteenth time. This is the characteristic of teaching that spread to the North and was known as Tibet Buddhism. This teaching with its holy book Kagyur, and Tangyur with Canonical Sansekerta and Tibet language spread to China Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim, Kashmir, and Mongolia.

There are some sects within this Tibet Buddhism. Great sects are Nyimapa (red), Sakyapa (flower), Kagyudpa (white), and Gelugpa (yellow), whereas some small sects are Shijepa, Zhibyepa, Chonangpa, Shalupa, and Bonpa (black).

In Vajrayana teaching , sect becomes important since it is the identity for them. Following is the information about some great sects:

• Nyimapa Sect was established by Padma Sambava (approximately 700 C), has 6 important monasteries with its sub-sects: Dorjadrak, Mindroling, Dzogchen, Zhechen, Kathog, and Pelyu. The notorious spiritual leaders are Mindroling Trichen (Mindroling), Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (Zhen Chen), Penor Norbu Rinpoche (Pelyu), and Talkung Tserul Rinpoche (Dorjadrak).
• Sakyapa Sect was founded by Kunchong Gyalpo (1034-1102). This sect is Khon’s descent with its sub-sect Ngorpa and Tsharpa. The spiritual leaders are Sakya Trinzin (Khon-Dolma Phodrang Place), Dagchen Rinpoche (Khon-Phuntsog Phodrang Place), Luding KhyenRinpoche (Ngorpa), and Chogay Trichen Rinpoche (Tsharpa).
• Kagyudpa Sect (Dagpo Kagyud) was established by Gampopa (1079-1133). Some great sub-sects are Karma Kagyud with its small sub-sects in Qin Hai: Zurmang Kagyud, Nendo Kagyud, Barom Kagyud, Phagdtru Kagyud, and Tsalpa Kagyud with their spiritual leaders the 17th Karmapa (Black Hat) and the 14th Sharmapa (Red Hat). Other minor sub-sects are Taglung Kagyud, Trophu Kagyud, Drukpa Kagyud, Martsang Kagyud, Yerpa Kagyud, Shugseb Kagyud, Yazang Kagyud and Dri Khung Kagyud. The spiritual leaders are Zhabtrung Rinpoche (Taglung Kagyud), Drugchen Rinpoche (Drukpa Kagyud), and Kyabgon Chetshang Rinpoche (Dri Khung Kagyud). The underlined are the existing sects.
• Gelugpa Sect was founded by Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) with its 7 well-known monesteries, which are Garden, Drepung, and Sera in Lhasa; Trashi Lhunpu in Tsang; Taer, Blabrang, and Badgharsume. The spiritual leaders are the 14th Dalai Lama for Lhasa area and the 11th Pancen Lama for Tsang area. This sect is a “dissolving” from Khadampa Sect that was established by Atisa (982-1054) who once learned Buddhism to Dharmakirti from Sriwijaya Kingdom. Gelugpa Monastery for Qing Dynasty Kingdom which is located in Beijing is called Yong He Gong.

The Tibet historical journey started with Turfan’s authority (633-842), dissension (843-1026), the new sect rising (1027-1240), and Sakyapa’s rule (1240-1353). It was the time when Tibet became the part of China . Then it was continued with Drukpa Kagyud’s rule (1354-1618), Gelugpa (1642-1951), and finally Dalai Lama left Tibet in 1959.

The spread of Vajrayana Buddhism in Indonesia started when T.J. Lie went to Taiwan. He obtained Red Cherezig’s initiation from Kunga Ani and the arrival of Thrangu Rinpoche from Karma Kagyud sect to Borobudur Temple in 1982. Afterwards, many Rinpoches from many sects and sub-sects visited Indonesia to spread the seed of Vajrayana Buddhism. These days its spreading has been going on in small scale and in a plumbing phase.

This is some information I got from my father’s story and explanation. Feel free to add further information (if any) and correct any mistakes you guys find out. Thanks.

Enjoy, peace, and love. (089 260408)