52
Kwan Yin Bodhisattva
I. BRIEF HISTORY OF SECRET BUDDHISM IN
TIBET
The people in Tibet did not have a serious religion before
the introduction of Secret Buddhism. Bon Polytheism was the
traditional religion for Tibetans. They worshipped Genies, evil
spirits and Demons. They prayed to anyone that helps satisfy
their worldly desires. The religious practitioners made their living
by selling charms and performing voodoos. They have thousands
of tricks to cheat the ignorant people by creating debased
superstitions.
Tibetan history noted that Buddhism was introduced in 137
B.C. A Buddhist monastery was built and let to fall into ruins. I t
was because Buddhism was too complicated for people to
understand and this had to do with their lack of education, their
superstitious beliefs, and their materialistic view towards
religion. Thus, the first attempt to preach
Buddhism failed.
In the year 371 A.D a number of
missionaries came to Tibet. They taught
the religion of compassion and
forgiveness with little results. The
converts were still few.
In the 7th century the Tibetan King,
Srong Tsan Gampo became an admirer of
Buddhism. He sent an envoy to India to
inquire and obtain Buddhist scriptures.
He invited monks to Tibet to explain the
Dharma and to translate the Sanskrit
scriptures.