The Religions Book

158

ACT OUT

YOUR BELIEFS

THE PERFORMANCE OF RITUAL AND REPETITION

I

n most forms of Buddhism the

rituals are simple (perhaps just

making an offering before a

Buddha image), while Tibetan

Buddhism is colorful and dramatic.

During worship, monks may chant

repeated phrases (mantras), wear

striking headdresses, blow horns,

and use elaborate hand gestures

(mudras)—often while holding small

symbolic objects (vajras) and

bells. Lay Buddhists may also

chant, turn prayer wheels, and

set out colorful prayer flags. At

festivals, there may be dramatic

performances and dancing, with

huge images on cloth spread out

or hung on temple walls, and the

creation and destruction of intricate

sand patterns, known as mandalas

(p.156). How is all of this, which

seems so different from the early

simplicity of the Buddhist path,

explained and justified?

For more than a thousand years,

Buddhism and Hinduism coexisted

in India and influenced one another.

When Padmasambhava, revered as

the founder of Tibetan Buddhism,

took the religion to Tibet in the

IN CONTEXT

KEY MOVEMENT

Tibetan Buddhism

WHEN AND WHERE

From 8th century CE, Tibet

BEFORE

300 CE Tantric rituals that

use dramatic forms to act

out spiritual realities start to

develop within some branches

of Hinduism in India.

4th–5th century CE Yo gac a ra

Buddhist philosophy argues

that all we know of reality

is in fact an interpretation

made by the mind; therefore

imaginative and symbolic

actions are real for us.

AFTER

19th century Western

Orientalist scholars take an

interest in Tantric yoga.

1959 Following the Chinese

invasion of Tibet, lamas start

teaching Tantric Tibetan

Buddhism in other parts of

the world, particularly the

US and Europe.

This allows the

Buddhist to experience

what it would feel like to

be enlightened.

These aim to engage

the Buddhist emotionally

and physically, not just

intellectually.

Tibetan Buddhism

uses colorful and

imaginative rituals.

Act out

your beliefs.