CHOS
The Unique Dharma of Tibet
Keywords:
Bon-Religion, Shamanism, Tantric Buddhism, Vajrayana, SuperimpositionAbstract
It is usal to describe Tibetan religion as Buddhism, or more specifically Tantric Buddhism. The Tibetans themselves call their religion mere CHos(religion, dharma), even as the Hindus call theirs dharma. There is no doubt that Buddhist influences are both unmistakable and predominant, but it would not be correct to brand this religion as Buddhism. Moreover, the Buddhist influences that came to colour this religion so significantly were by no means native tot he soil; they were not indigenous developments. In fact, Buddhism had to undergo total transformation before it came to be accepted in Tibet and Mongolia.
References
Blofeld, J. The Way of Power. London: G. Allen, 1970.
David, Neel A. Initiations and Initials in Tibet. London: Rider, 1930.
Guenther, T. Yuganandha: The Tantric Way of Life. Banaras: Chowkamba, 1931.
Obermiller, E. History of Buddhism. New York: A. A. Knop, 1931.
Snellgrove, D. Buddhist Himalaya. Oxford: Bruno Cassirer, 1957.
