Numerous Buddhist Acts emerged after the mid-11th
century, including the Nyingma, Gatang, Sagya, Gagyu,
Zhigyed, Gyoyul, Gyonang, Kodrag and Xalhu sects. The latter
five were rather weak owing to the lack of political
support. They were thus forced to join force or were
otherwise annexed by other sects, and as individual entities
fell into the oblivion of the long flow of history. The
following five sects enjoyed impressive
popularity:
Nyingma Sect. The sect, founded in
the 11th century, is also known as the Red Sect and is the
oldest sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The sect paid great
attention to absorbing the fine points of the Bon religion
and, at the same time, did its best to locate Buddhist
sutras secreted away when Darma moved to suppress Buddhism.
Based on its practice of Buddhism deeply rooted in the Tubo
Kingdom of the 8th century, the sect called itself Nyingma,
a word meaning ancient and old in the Tibetan language.
Monks of the Nyingma Sect wore red hats, hence the name the
Red Sect. The Red Sect mainly advocates the study of
Tantrism. Its theory was strongly influenced by Han Chine
language Buddhism, and is quite similar with the theory of
Ch'an School of Buddhism in China's hinterland. Today, the
Red Sect is not only active in Tibetaninhabited areas in
Ghina, but also in India, Bhuttan, Nepal, Belgium, Greece
and France, as well as in the Unite
States.
Gatang Sect. The Gatang Sect, founded
in 1056, primarily advocated the study of Exoteric
teachings, with later emphasis on Tantrism. In the Tibetan
language, Ga refers to the teachings of Buddha, with tang
meaning instruction. The combination Gatang thus refers to
advising people to accept Buddhism based on the teachings of
Buddha. Its doctrines were promoted far and wide and thus
exerted great influence on various Tibetan Buddhist sects.
However, along with the rise of the Gelug Sect in the 15th
century, the Gatang Sect dissolved with its monks and
monasteries merging with the former.
Sagya
Sect. Sagya means "white land'' in the Tibetan
language. The Sagya Sect, founded in 1703, derived its name
from the fact that the Sagya Monastery, the sect's most
important monastery, is grayish white in color. Enclosures
in the sect's monasteries are painted with red, white and
black stripes, which respectively symbolize the Wisdom
Buddha, the Goddess of Mercy and the Diamond Hand Buddha.
Hence, the sect is also known as the Stripe Sect. The ever
increasing influence of the sect and the expansion of feudal
forces throughout its formation led to the increasing fame
of the "five Sagya Sect Forefathers''. The Fourth
Forefather Sapan Gonggar Gyaincain was summoned to Liangzhou
in 1247 by the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) ruler to dialup
matters concerning Tibet pledging allegiance to the Yuan
Dynasty. This was followed by Sapan bringing various feudal
forces in Tibet under control of the Mongols. Following the
death of Sapan, Pagan, the Fifth Forefather of the Sagya
Sect, emerged as a high-ranking official in the Yuan court.
Pagba Was granted honorary titles such as "State
Tutor", ''Imperial Tutor'' and ''Great Treasure Prince
of Dharma.'' Thereafter, the Sagya Sect emerged as the Yuan
Dynasty representative in Tibet. During the Ming Dynasty
(1368-1644) , Gonggar Zhaxi, an eminent monk with the Sagya
Sect, journeyed to Nanjing, capital of the Ming Dynasty, to
pay homage to Emperor Yongle. Gongar was granted an honorary
title as the "Mahayana Prince of Dharma'', one of the
three Princes of Dharma.
Gagyu Sect. The Gagyu
Sect, founded in the 11th century, stresses the study of
Tantrism and advocates that Tantrist tenets be passed down
orally from one generation to another. Hence the name Gagyu,
which in the Tibetan language means "passing down
orally.'' Marba and Milha Riba, the founders of the Gagyu
Sect, wore white monk robes when practicing Buddhism ,
leading to the name White Sect. In the early years, the
White Sect was divided into the Xangba Gagyu which declined
in the 14th and to 15th centuries, and the Tabo Gagyu. The
Tabo Gagyu was powerful and its branch sects were either in
power in their respective localities or otherwise dominant
amongst feudal forces.
Gelug Sect. The Gelug
Sect, founded in 1409, was the most famous Buddhist sect in
Tibetan history dating to the 15th century. The sect was
founded during the reform of Tibetan Buddhism initiated by
Zongkapa. Zongkapa himself was born at a time when the Pagmo
Zhuba replaced the Sagya Regime in power. At that time,
upper-class monks involved in political and economic power
struggle led a decadent life, and rapidly lost popularity
with society. Faced with this situation, Zongkapa called for
efforts to follow Buddhist tenets. He proceeded to undertake
lecture tours in many areas and wrote books accusing
decadent monks of failing to abide by Buddhist tenets.
Zongkapa spared no effort to press ahead with Buddhist
reform. For example, in the first month of 1409 according to
Tibetan calendar, Zongkapa initiated the Grand Summons
Ceremony in Lhasa's Jokhang Monastery. The ceremony remains
in practice even today. This effort was closely followed by
the construction of the famous Gandain Monastery and the
founding of the Gelug Sect which was famous for its strict
adherence to commandments. The Tibetan language meaning of
Gelug is "commandments''. Zongkapa and his followers
wore yellow hats, and thus the Gelug Sect is also known as
the Yellow Sect. Since its founding, the Yellow Sect has
built the Zhaibung, Sera, Tashilhungpo, Tar and Labrang
monasteries, which join the Gandain Monastery as the six
major monasteries of the Gelug Sect. The Yellow Sect is also
known for formation of the two largest Living Buddha
reincarnation systems - the Dalai and Bainqen systems.
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