

Islam began to spread quickly in the region during the Middle Ages, forcing Buddhism into the background. In the sixth century, the Huns invaded India and destroyed hundreds of Buddhist monasteries, but the intruders were eventually driven out of the country. The thoughts and philosophies of Buddhists became diverse, with some followers interpreting ideas differently than others. Over the next few centuries, Buddhism began to spread beyond India. Buddhist monasteries were built, and missionary work was encouraged. In the 3rd century B.C., Ashoka the Great, the Mauryan Indian emperor, made Buddhism the state religion of India. Buddha’s teachings became the foundation for what would develop into Buddhism. When Gautama passed away around 483 B.C., his followers began to organize a religious movement. There is no single Buddhist symbol, but a number of images have evolved that represent Buddhist beliefs, including the lotus flower, the eight-spoked dharma wheel, the Bodhi tree and the swastika (an ancient symbol whose name means "well-being" or "good fortune" in Sanskrit).
#Dalai lama religion grew out code

The religion’s founder, Buddha, is considered an extraordinary being, but not a god.When followers reach this spiritual echelon, they’re said to have experienced nirvana. They instead focus on achieving enlightenment-a state of inner peace and wisdom. Followers of Buddhism don’t acknowledge a supreme god or deity.Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.

The monks in these monasteries were summoned for a meeting where they were forced to sign documents renouncing the Dalai Lama and separatism.” “They did not give any sort of warning before conducting these random searches,” said the second exile. ”Īs part of their searches, the authorities have been scrutinizing the monks’ prayer manuscripts and books, and removing prayer flags from shrines, said another exiled Tibetan, who declined to be named. The text on the board states that “We will rigorously take part in opposing the Dalai Lama clique and will remain loyal and devoted to the country. In a photo received by RFA from Tibet, the Shartsa monks are seen signing their names on a board on the wall. “The monks of Shartsa Monastery are also forced into renouncing ties with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and be a part of anti-Dalai Lama groups.'Ĭhinese authorities conduct a search at a monastery in Nagchu. “The authorities search all the residences of the monks and the main shrines in the monasteries,” the exile said. Authorities appear to be including monasteries under this rule.īeginning this month, Chinese authorities conducted searches of monasteries in Shentsa (in Chinese, Shenzha) and Sok (Suo) counties on the premise of maintaining security, a Tibetan living in exile, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told RFA’s Tibetan Service. RFA reported last year that China began requiring Tibetans working in official government positions to renounce all ties to the Dalai Lama as a condition of employment. The Dalai Lama, who now lives in exile in India, says only that he seeks a greater autonomy for Tibet as a part of China, with guaranteed protections for Tibet’s language, culture and religion. The Dalai Lama is widely regarded by Chinese leaders as a separatist intent on splitting Tibet, a formerly independent nation that was invaded and incorporated into China by force in 1950, from Beijing’s control.
#Dalai lama religion grew out free
Chinese authorities in Tibet are randomly searching monasteries and forcing monks to sign documents renouncing all ties to the “separatist” Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism’s foremost spiritual leader, Tibetan sources living in exile told Radio Free Asia.
