BUDDHISM IN SIKKIM

Om Mani Padme Hum - Hail, Jewel in the Lotus.                  

Buddhism is a deep-rooted presence in the hills and valleys of Sikkim. Although a majority of people here are not Buddhists, the people are very fond of their culture and customs, perhaps driven by the inspiring force of Buddhism. However, the symbols of Buddhism are everywhere, white prayer flags fluttering in the wind almost everywhere, very young monks in maroon robes scampering along the streets, gorgeously painted monasteries that proudly signify their existence even in the remotest corners… everywhere.

Origin of Buddhism in Sikkim

Prior to Buddhism, the religion followed was Bön , the oldest spiritual tradition of Tibet. Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama recognized the Bön tradition as the fifth principal spiritual school of Tibet, along with the Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu, and Gelug schools of Buddhism. Buddhism was brought to Sikkim from Tibet by Guru Rinpoche who, in the 8th century, had prophesied that Buddhism would find a home in Sikkim. In 1648, Lama Lhatsun Chempo traveled to Lhasa and drew the attention of Grand Lama Gyalwa Ngak Wang, who was to go on to become the first Dalai Lama. With the Grand Lama's blessings he commenced on a journey, seeking a way to Sikkim. Unable to find a path through the mountains, Lhatsun Chempo is believed to have used his mystical powers to fly to the top of Mt Kabru from where he surveyed the landscape. Finally, he found the way into the hidden valley. In Sikkim, he met two other Lamas, Sempa Chempo and Rigzing Chempo, who had entered Sikkim from the west and the south, respectively.

The Lamas Sempa Chempo and Rigzing Chempo furthered their own claims but the third lama reminded them of the prophecy of Guru Padamasambhava, that a man coming from the east and named Phuntsog would rule over Sikkim. Messengers were sent to seek Phuntsog. He was found near Gangtok and duly crowned Chogyal or Great Religious King in 1642. Phuntsog was then named Namgyal, after Lhatsun Chempo (the Lama who had made the prophesy).

Phuntsog Namgyal is credited not only with the political consolidation of Sikkim, but also with the establishment of monasteries and encouraging the spread of Buddhism by proclaiming it the State religion. Thus, the concept of Kingship was charged with religious leadership. Phuntsog Namgyal divided the kingdom into 12 Dzongs and appointed twelve Dzongpens and Kazis to help him administer the kingdom. These administrators were drawn from leading Lepcha and Bhutia families, and had the status of local Governors.

After the coronation, Lama Lhatsun Chempo concentrated on spreading the teachings of the Buddha. He set up several monasteries or gompas across the country, which spearheaded the diffusion of the religion.

Vajrayana

Vajrayana is also known as Tantric Buddhism , Tantrayana , Mantrayana , Mantranaya , Secret Mantra , Esoteric Buddhism and the Diamond Vehicle. Vajrayana is a derivative of Mahayana Buddhism since it differs in its practices, rather than its philosophy. Mahayana has two paths of practice: the Sutrayana method of perfecting good qualities and the Vajrayana method of taking the intended outcome of Buddha hood as the path. Vajrayana requires mystical experiences in order to experience the Buddha prior to full enlightenment. In order to transmit these experiences, a body of esoteric knowledge has been accumulated by Buddhist Tantric yogis and is passed via lineages of transmission. In order to access this knowledge, the practitioner requires initiation from a skilled spiritual teacher or guru. Vajrayana is often viewed as the third major Yana (or vehicle) of Buddhism, alongside the Theravada and Mahayana. Vajrayana subscribes to the doctrine of conventional and ultimate truths. Experiencing ultimate truth is the purpose of all the various tantric techniques practiced in the Vajrayana.

According to this view, there were three ‘turnings of the wheel of dharma'. In the first turning, Shakyamuni Buddha taught the dharma as the Four Noble Truths at Varanasi which led to the so-called Hinayana schools, of which only the Theravada remains today. In the second turning, the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras were taught at Vulture's Peak (Rajgir, India) and led to the Mahayana schools. The teachings which constituted the third turning of the wheel of dharma were taught at Shravasti and expounded that all beings have Buddha-nature. It is this third turning which is described as having led to the Vajrayana.