PREFACE

57

Naropa

Tsongkhampa transmitted the teachings to his disciple

Gedungrubpa and entrusted the religion that he reformed and

named Lamaism. Since then the head of Lamaism, the Dalai

L a m a ruled Tibet, overseeing its religious and political aspects.

By tradition before the Dalai Lama dies, he will reveal his

next rebirth location. The assembly of Lamas will go there to find

the infant successor who is supposed to be the Dalai Lama's

reincarnation, and bring him back for coronation as the next ruler.

The Dalai Lama was revered as a Buddha (Arhat Buddha) in his

lifetime. He resided at the Potala palace in the city of L h a s a.

Under him was the Panchen Lama, who was also regarded as a

living Buddha. He helped the Dalai Lama manage the temples

and take care of the monks. He resided in Trashi Lump in the fort

of Shigatse. In Tibet, the monks selected all government officials.

There were many monasteries in the capital of Lhasa. Some of

them were very large and had as many as ten thousand monk

residents. Everyone in Tibet turned to Buddhism, which became

the national religion.

C. The Kargyutpa Sect (the sect of monks wearing

cotton)

The members of the Kargyutpa

sect were the followers of the

Mahamudra sect (Great Mudra) who

used Dharani, Mudra and Yantra in

meditation.

By tradition, Tilopa, who lived

in the 2nd century AD, received the

philosophical teaching of the

Mahamudra through the spiritual

The Potala

Naropa