Contribution of The Dalai Lama to Buddhism

Buddhism covers various traditions, practices and beliefs. It contains all the three in its philosophy and religion. Significantly, Buddhism has links to Buddha as it depends largely on his teachings. Buddhism has two main sub-branches which are the Theravada and Mahayana. The Theravada stands for the school of elders while the Mahayana represents the great vehicle. However, some classifications recognize a third branch of Buddhism which is Vajrayana (Laumakis, 2008). As a philosophy and religion, Buddhism comprises of re-known teachers such as the Dalai Lama. This paper explores the main characteristics and principles of the three branches of Buddhism. In addition, it explores the life and contribution of The Dalai Lama to Buddhism.

In Buddhism, Theravada is the oldest branch. Essentially, it refers to the ancient teachings or the teachings of the elders. Since it is the earliest school of Buddhism, it is strict and conservative. It has formed the main religion of Sri Lanka for many years. Though, recently Theravada is trying to keep up with modernity by adapting things like Universal inclusivity and the green government. As a philosophy, Theravada deals significantly with Vibhajjavada which in translation means "Teaching of Analysis". It has several philosophical thought although vitally, it relies a lot on the four noble truths. The four consists of suffering, basis for suffering, end of suffering and lastly, the way leading from suffering to freedom.

Theravada has three main characteristics. Firstly, impermanence, which focuses on change and how everything must under go change. Suffering is the second characteristic, and it attributes cravings to be the cause of people's suffering. This is so because people crave for things which are not permanent. The "not-self" is the next concept." it relates to a lack of a constant self. This is because individuals' posses' five aggregates attributed as not self. These attributes are physical forms, sensations, perceptions, consciousness and the mental formations (Laumakis, 2008).

On the other hand, Mahayana originating from India is the largest of the schools of Buddhism. It relies on its traditional teachings and refers to the trail of searching for a complete enlightenment for the benefit of all conscious beings. Mahayana comprises of early stone inscriptions found in the Indian Ocean containing the Mahayana Formulation. In addition, the inscriptions mention Buddha Amitabha. The period of late Mahayana Buddhism resulted in the development of four significant thoughts which are Madhyamaka, Buddha nature, Yogacara and the Logic of Buddha. Mahayana teachings comprises of expansive doctrines which coexist. It has an inclusive tradition having plurality and adoption of new Mahayana Sutras. Mahayana's doctrine comprise of principles which focused on the liberation from suffering. The great vehicle formed that basis. Buddha's existence is also focused on. Their expression of faith is through a person having faith and devoting oneself to the mindfulness of the Buddha.

According to research, Vajrayana is established to be the most multifaceted and complex form of Buddhism. This is so because Vajrayana evolved for several centuries. Vajrayana has several names attached to it, such as the Tantric Buddhism, Esoteric Buddhism, Tantrayana and Diamond Vehicle. All these names refer of the Vajrayana Buddhism. It depends on scriptures referred as Tantras. Vajrayana Buddhism has rituals comprising of skillful means. These rituals help in the substitution of the earlier abstract meditations (Sach, 2006). Vajrayana Buddhism has six topics concerning its teachings. The categories are Vajrayana as a recent composed teaching, its evolving from the local conditions of medieval India, scriptures and commentaries, as a subset of Mahayana Buddhism, as a fruitional vehicle and lastly, as an esoteric discipline. It has a textual tradition exhibiting a wide range of literary characteristics. The textual tradition blends in terms of verse and prose. Vajrayana has six key features. These include Upaya, Two truths doctrine, ritual, goal and motivation, esoteric transmission, vows, and behavior.

In conclusion, with these three sub-classes, Buddhism provides fields for comparative studies. The different texts provide different forms of learning and understanding Buddhism. Though classified differently, the characteristics of these three classes of Buddhism seem closely knit as they represent the same philosophy and religion.

The Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama refers to a Buddhist leader. It has connections to the Tibetan Buddhism. The name comprises of two words bound together, one from Mongolia "Dalai" and the other from Tibet "Lama". The word 'Dalai' means "Ocean" according to Mongolians, while the word 'Lama' means "Chief" to Tibetans. That explains the name referring to the Tibetan Buddhist teachers. Though, religiously the Dalai Lama is believed to be a rebirth of a line of Tulkus while traditionally, Dalai Lama represent the latest reincarnation of a chain of spiritual leaders who reborn to enlighten others. Besides his duties, the Dalai Lama is bestowed with the function of influencing the Gelug School. Dalai Lamas have had considerable influence on the Tibetan government between the 16^th and 19^th century. Recently, it concerns have arisen as to the position of the Dalai Lama and prospects of the position been abolished are lurking with some suggestions of making the next Dalai Lama, a female.

Research asserts that the name Dalai Lama is traced back to Altan Khan. He was a Mongol ruler and bestowed the name on Sonam Gyatso. This marked the beginning of the title as the next two predecessors were also bestowed the name. The name Dalai Lama is widely known in Tibetan culture as it reflects the embodiment of the Tibetan national character. Unlike in the past, currently, the office struggles for independence and cultural survival. The Dalai Lama also uses peace and compassion in treatment of people around him (Forsthoefel, 2008). This includes his oppressors and his own people. He uses peace and compassion since people consider him as the principal reincarnation of Chenrezig. This makes the Dalai Lama appear as an embodiment of the Tibetan identity, values and culture.

Several individuals have held the position of the Dalai Lama, since its commencement although many of them did not reach their majority. For instance, the eighth holder of the position died at a tender while still in his thirties. Many deaths of tragic deaths of Dalai Lamas followed thereafter but most of them attributed to poisoning by Tibetans for either being not easily manageable or being Chinese. Initially, the Dalai Lamas used to reside in Potala Palace during the winter and in Norbulingka palace during summer. But after the 1959 Tibetan uprising, the Dalai Lama sought refuge in India and that is where they are still located (Marcello, 2003).

Research establishes that the Dalai Lama sought help from the guardian of the sacred lake. This is so because she appeared to the first Dalai Lama Gendun Drup, in a dream and promised to protect the reincarnation lineage of the Dalai Lamas. Essentially, the search for the Lamas reincarnation mostly happens after death has occurred and consultation done with the Nechung Oracle. The high Lamas are the ones bestowed with the function of finding the Dalai Lama's reincarnation.   

The future of the position is controversial as the fourteenth Dalai Lama alleged he was going to be the last Dalai Lama. Research establishes that this caused a furor in Tibet, as people did not expect him to utter the words he did. In addition, the Tibetan people thought that it was not the Dalai Lama's decision to reincarnate as the position was for helping the masses and they still needed help from a person in that position. The Chinese government intervened by electing itself to the position of approving reincarnations a move which received an objection from the fourteenth Dalai Lama (Forsthoefel, 2008).

The Dalai Lama is a high-profile position which a person holding it should be of help to the Tibetan people. Many individuals have held the position since it began although recently, outside forces such as the Chinese government have rocked it by trying to impose rules on the selection of individuals to succeed the office. Among other practices of the Dalai Lama is the reincarnation.

Buddhism in Contemporary America

Buddhism is an old eastern religion and philosophy with the basis and roots which go back to 566 and 483 BCE. Researchers considered that the origins of this religion went from the ancient times from the territories of contemporary Northern India and Nepal. Historically Buddhism has been the main religion in Central, Southeast and East Asia with millions of followers (approximately 708 million). Nowadays Buddhism has become a major world religion and gained a great popularity in contemporary America, including people of various converts. Many Americans have shown a great concern in Buddhism due to integration of religious concepts and ideas about god, life after death, meditation, etc. the main purpose of this paper is to explore how Buddhism is significant to American individuals` thoughts, well-being and the understanding of life, the environment and the notion of being happy. The world seems to be preoccupied with the different religious ideas, but the Buddhist concepts have captured the minds of many Americans as well as millions of people throughout the globe (Fields 221).

America has shown a great concern in Buddhism since the American Transcendentalist movement in the middle of the 19^th century. It has become really popular in America in the last decades as a transplanted philosophy  

To many, The Buddha became a doctor, who could treat the spiritual ills, suffering of minds and hearts. Buddhist meditation practice has become very current in contemporary America as a healing from everyday problems, both mental and physical. They found in the Buddhism theory the answers to the questions, which they couldn`t find in the western religion, concerning their place in the universe, whether religion is true and can make any difference in our everyday life. These questions and many others made them to be uncertain of their own religion and they came to the conclusion that the Buddha is their teacher, who can help.

Speaking about the Buddhist religious ideas, it`s worth mentioning Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, and his famous work “Ten Precepts for an Engaged Buddhism”, that could help many people to get satisfaction in life. Thich Nhat Hanh is the most popular Buddhist teacher, who immigrated to the United States from Vietnam and captured many American minds with the idea of Buddhism. His book and personality had many followers in the United States, who organized Buddhist movement to change thoughts in the American society in political and economic spheres (Fields 220). Something absolutely different happened, when Buddhism came in to the USA. His teaching and practice helped people of various backgrounds and faiths resist the violence and speed of modern American life. Some people tried to find peace to their minds visiting psychotherapists or priests, those who believe in the Buddha, helped themselves due to its psychological and therapeutic aspects. Thich Nhat Hanh appealed to people to change the world by changing themselves. His main slogan was: “Peace begins with me”, meaning that, individuals had to change their own spiritual development, if they wanted to improve the world.

American society is rather controversial due to the variety of nations and people flooded the United States from immigration that helped to embrace the Buddhist ideas and practices into everyday life. Interacting with people, who supported the Buddhist religion, they found out that their own catholic religion can`t help to be mindfulness, meaning to be in a state of active, open attention on the present, live in the moment and be able to observe their thoughts from a distance without judging them. In their effort to create the most effective way of life, find the nature of truth, fellow Americans, who tend to be more educated and have much more awareness in life, appeal to the ancient eastern religion that seems to know the answers to the questions, that they couldn`t find in their own religion (Fields 226).

Another approach to American Buddhism is so-called import Buddhism. This concept appeared due to Henry Steele Olcott`s travel to Sri Lanka in 1880. Since then, a lot of Americans visited various Asian countries meeting with the Buddhist teachers, which later established their own schools in the United States. The most well-known trends of this kind of Buddhism are Zen, Vipassana, and Tibetan, which members are mostly educated native English speakers, occupying high level class in the society. Americans, who are adhering to those teaching, have more assurance about their place and role in the universe.

Many scholars consider that it`s not easy to estimate the number of Buddhists in the United States because of different reasons. As a cultural phenomenon it requires deep knowledge in its theory and history. Some people don`t have any knowledge about the Buddhism, though considering themselves as Buddhists, others refuse the label Buddhists knowing essential concepts of this religion. To some estimates the number of Buddhists in the United States is between one and four million, others state that there are more, but most of them (about 75-80 percent) are of Asian origin.

In conclusion, it`s worth to summarize that implementing the Buddhism theory into life, many Americans find peace to their minds. Mostly educated Americans have shown the great concern in this old Asian concept of evaluating the universe and themselves as a part of it. Many Americans substitute their traditional Catholic religion by the Buddhism, considering it more helpful to their well-beings. For all these reasons, more and more adherents join the Buddhist community in the U.S. with the aim to enrich and develop the nonviolence tradition.