A Brief History of Buddhism

Buddhism relies on wisdom and universal compassion to achieve enlightenment. From the teachings of Gautama Buddha, born in the sixth century BCE, three major branches of Buddhism emerged. The Pali canon was written in the first century BCE, the period when Buddhism also came to China. The Zen (“Chan” in Chinese) and Pure Land traditions became influential from the 4th century. Tibetan Buddhism, which arrived from India in the 9th and 10th centuries, focuses on the path of the bodhisattva, a Buddha who has foregone final liberation and remains in the world to help all beings.

Tibetan Buddhism, which emphasizes the development of compassion and wisdom, has four major schools. Traditionally, the large monastic universities, temples, and local monasteries served the needs of the various Tibetan communities. Three of the four schools were founded by Indian masters: the Nyingma School from the teachings of Padmasambha in the 7th century; the Old Khadampa School by Atisha in the 10th century; and the Kagyu School in the 10th century by Tilopa, who was succeeded in turn by the teachers Naropa, Marpaand, Milarepa. The Sakya School was founded in 1703 by Konchog Gyalpo. The New Khadampa, or Gelug School, was established in the 14th century by Lama Tsong Khapa, who spread the teachings throughout the region, including Mongolia and China. His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama belong to this school, as do TCC Director Arjia Rinpoche and President Emeritus Tagtser Rinpoche.

The Buddha taught according to the abilities of his listeners to understandand apply his spiritual concepts. Accordingly, there are three scopes, or levels, of teachings:

First Scope: the learner relies upon the Three Jewels to achieve a happy rebirth: The Buddha, The Dharma, and the Sangha.
Second Scope: the learner achieve individual liberation by applying the teachings of the Four Noble Truths

Life is suffering

Suffering is caused by attachment

There is liberation from suffering

The path to liberation is the 8-fold Noble Path

Third Scope: the learner applies the six perfections (generosity, effort, ethics, patience, meditation and wisdom) to his life with the altruistic intention to liberate all sentient beings from samsara.

The spread of Tibetan Buddhism to the West has been facilitated by teachers from many countries. Travelers to Tibet from the 19th and 20th centuries have sparked interest in Tibetan culture, history and the philosophy of all schools of Buddhism. Western professors and independent teachers in modern times have joined Tibetan lamas in teaching Buddhist theory and practice in academic, cultural, and religious venues. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in particular, has brought increased awareness of Tibetan culture and religion.

The following is a prayer of a Bodhisattva (a person who has compassion for others). It is the favorite prayer of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

As long as space endures
As long as sentient beings remain
May I, too, prevail
To dispel the misery of the world