Tucked away in the lofty Tibetan Plateau, Tibet is a land of spirituality or to be exactly a realm of Tibetan Buddhism.

So, whether you are intrigued with Tibetan Buddhism or a traveler who is about to visit Tibet soon, having some basic ideas about Tibetan Buddhism beliefs will help you better understand Tibetan culture and traditions as you explore Tibetan monasteries and local Tibetan life.

Please join us as we dive into the three main beliefs of Tibetan Buddhism and get fully prepared for your future Tibet journey.

Where Did Tibetan Buddhism Originate

Historically, around the 3rd century, Buddhism started to spread into Tibet, which was most likely from India.

One piece of evidence you can see today is in the murals and Thangkas in Tibetan monasteries. They depict Guru Rinpoche, an Indian sage who helped to establish Tibetan Buddhism, taming local gods and spirits and turning them into fierce protective deities. Read the six proectors of Tibetan Buddhism.

Additionally, early Tibetan Buddhism was heavily influenced by Bon, Tibet’s native religion, and Hinduism.

Many popular Tibetan Buddhist symbols and practices, such as prayer flags, sky burial, the rubbing of holy rocks, walking the kora/pilgrimage, worship of gods and spirits, exorcism, talismans, ritual drumming, burning juniper branches as offerings to the gods, etc, all have their roots deep in Bon tradition.

The traditional Tibetan Cham dance at Drigung Til Monastery in Tibet.

While the ascetic, meditative traditions of the Himalayan religion resulted from the scholastic tradition of the Indian Buddhists. Evolving from the primitive Bon religion, nowadays, Tibetan Buddhism falls into four vibrant sects, i.e. Gelugpa (Yellow hats), Sakya, Kagyu (Black hats), and Nyingma (Red hats). Learn more about the Top 4 Tibetan Buddhist sects.

Top 1 Tibetan Buddhism Beliefs: Rebirth, Karma, and Merit

Due to the influence of the Bon religion, Hinduism, and Tantric side of Buddhist thought, one of the three main beliefs of Tibetan Buddhism is rebirth, karma, and merit.

In Tibetan Buddhism, life is seen as a cycle of endless rebirth.

The Sanskrit word “samsara” (Tibetan: khorwa) literally “wandering on”, is used to describe this cycle. Life is seen as a limitless wandering through time, and birth, death, and rebirth. There are six levels of rebirth or realms of existence, as depicted in the mural of the Wheel of Life in many Tibetan monasteries.

As you enter the Sera Monastery, in the doorway, you can see the mural of The Wheel of Life. It helps us realize the delusion of the mind and shows us how desire chains us to samsara, the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

The Wheel of Life mural in Sera Monastery, held by Yama, the lord of Death.

Since all living creatures will pass through the same cycle of rebirths. The belief of Karma comes into existence. In Tibetan Buddhism, Karma refers to the law of cause and effect.

Simply put, what you do in this life will determine what you will be or how you live in your next rebirth. You can take Karma as planting a seed. A human reborn as an insect or a pig may result from his previous life’s immoral and bad deeds or vice versa. It’s simply the consequences of actions.

Because of the beliefs of rebirth and karma, you can see local Tibetans accumulate as much Merits (good Karma) as possible by walking the kora around Mount Kailash, chanting Buddhist mantras, spinning prayer wheels, hanging Tibetan prayer flags, or not killing any living creatures including rats or flies, etc.

However, one thing worth mentioning is that Tibetan Buddhists gather merits not for this life or their fortune and well-being, but for their next life and the blessings of all living things, which is how Tibetan Buddhism is so different. Check for more Tibetan monastery tours.

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Top 2 Tibetan Buddhism Beliefs: the Fourth Noble Truths

If Rebirth, Karma, and Merit are the underpinning of Tibetan Buddhism beliefs, then the Fourth Noble Truths take the Tibetan Buddhism beliefs to the next philosophical level.

In Tibetan Buddhism, the Fourth Nobel Truths refer to Dukka (suffering), Tanha (desire), Nibbana (ending of desire), and Noble Eightfold Path (paths leading to the end of suffering and desire).

Dukka (suffering)

The first of the Four Noble Truths in Tibetan Buddhism is Dukka, which means life is suffering. People feel the pain of birth to this world, the pain of failures, aging and imperfection, loss of things, and the ultimate pain of death. So, life can be tough in many ways.

Tanha (desire)

The second Four Noble Truths explains why we suffer in the endless cycle of rebirth. In Tibetan Buddhism, we suffer because we always want things to be perfect, but life isn't. This wanting, called "Tanha" (known as insatiable desire) makes us unhappy and keeps us stuck in a cycle of suffering, like a mouse running on a wheel.

Nibbana (ending of desire)

In Tibetan Buddhism, "Nibbana, Nirodha, or Nirvana" means not wanting anything anymore. When you stop wanting, you stop feeling unhappy and don't have to be born again. That’s why you will see many local Tibetans, esp. in remote regions, have minimal material desires but stay high spiritually, practicing Tibetan Buddhism.

Noble Eightfold Path (paths leading to the end of suffering and desire)

Knowing the cause and result of our sufferings, Tibetan Buddhism points out the eight noble paths that can make us better and happier as follows:

● Right understanding.

● Right thinking.

● Right speech.

● Right action.

● Right living.

● Right effort.

● Right mindfulness.

● Right focus.

By doing so, we can bring good things and lead to nirvana, the best feeling ever. Explore the Tibet Spiritual Tours to meditate and practice Buddhism with our local experts in Tibet.

Guru Rinpoche teaches his disciples in Tibet.

Top 3 Tibetan Buddhism Beliefs: the Three Universal Truths

Apart from the influence of Bon religion and Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism also finds its affinity with Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. The result is the famous “Three Universal Truths”, the third Tibetan Buddhism belief upheld by Tibetan Buddhists.

Impermanence (Anicca)

In Tibetan Buddhism, it's believed that everything is always changing like the seasonal change from spring to summer, autumn, and winter. This helps people to accept change and let go the worldly things. So, we can be happy even when things change or go away.

Suffering (Dukkha)

As mentioned above, the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth is marked by suffering. This includes physical pain, emotional distress, and feeling unsatisfied with our lives. It emphasizes that our suffering comes from our desires, ignorance, and hatred.

Non-self (Anatta)

Tibetan Buddhists believe there's no permanent "self" inside us. Instead, what we think of as "me" is made up of constantly changing body and mind. Understanding this helps people become wiser and happier. It's like knowing we're not just one thing, but a mix of many things that change all the time.

Devoted Tibetan pilgrims prostrating for pilgrimage in Tibet.

In a nutshell, the Three Universal Truths help Tibetans understand the truth of nature and themselves philosophically.

Immerse Yourself in Tibetan Buddhism with the Best Local Tibet Travel Service

So, if you’ve read our travel tips here, I’m deeply convinced that you must be fascinated by Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan culture and traditions.

One thing to mention is that for overseas travelers planning to visit Tibet and immerse themselves in Tibetan Buddhism, you need to pre-book a guided Tibet tour with us, a prestigious local Tibet travel agency with offices in Lhasa, Chengdu, and Kathmandu.

Additionally, we will help you get a Tibet Travel Permit to board the train or flight to Lhasa and offer you diverse Tibet tours to explore Tibetan culture and history. Please, feel free to drop us your emails for free and expert consultation for your future Tibet journey. Cheers!

Conclusion

So, hopefully, you find this article helpful and have gained new insights into Tibetan Buddhism or will help you decipher the Tibetan culture and traditions as you explore Tibetan monasteries and streets in Tibet. Looking forward to traveling with you in Tibet, Tashi Delek!