Tibetan people’s tryst with Buddhism

Many of the intellectuals and experts on Tibet believe that Tibet is inarguably the singular nation where the Buddhism had the most profound influence for over a couple of millennia—be it with people’s faith or the culture. Buddhism thus dominated almost every part of Tibetans’ life. The message of peace and compassion are passed down to Tibetans from generation to generation.

Popularly known as the roof of the world, Tibet remained a mysterious land till about mid-20th century. It got the title of Forbidden Kingdom in the west for the difficulties in accessing the landlocked kingdom. And then there were extraordinary tales of adventure and discoveries experienced by early travellers from west through their encounter with a hugely different society—the most common remarks being the indigenous people’s unwavering faith towards Buddhism.

As to the genesis of the Buddhism in Tibet, though there were mythological interpretations of the encounter with the religion right from the reign of first king of Tibet, Nyatri Tsenpo. But the most of the reliable historical accounts tell us the actual encounter and the subsequent development of the Buddhism on the roof of the world took place during the time of Three Great Kings of Tibet, namely, Songtsen Gampo, Trisong Deutsen and Ralpachen. The approximate date range was from the beginning of seventh century to the end of eighth century.

The impact of the Buddhism has been immense over the centuries despite several great upheavals with it, for example, king Langdarma (838 to 841 CE), the last king of Tibet ordered the complete annihilation of the Buddhism from Tibet and went to great extend with his destructive campaigns before he was finally assassinated.

Despite all the historical disasters Tibet experienced in the subsequent periods, the root of Tibetan people’s faith towards Buddhism was well-preserved. Tibet experienced the similar version of King Langdarma’s destructive campaign in more modernised and intensified form during the eccentric Cultural Revolution that swept across Tibet. But in the end the holy Dharma resurrected and emerged victorious from the evil force to reinstall the inner peace to the generations of Tibetans.

It is the three jewels of Buddhism that tamed the minds of Tibetans who where otherwise once believed to be the most brave warriors in the Central Asia when the military might of the Tibetan empire was at its climax.

Thanks to the great wisdom of Buddhism, irrespective of material development, Tibetan people today are one of the happiest races in the world. Buddhism imparted the Tibetans with the great wisdom of attaining self-happiness by being kind to others.