Obviously, I think these are the 3 main beliefs of Tibetan Buddhism, but it is a somewhat subjective matter. We could find other ideas after a few years of meditation experience.
Table of Contents
How is Tibetan Buddism Different
This analysis refers to the 3 main beliefs in Tibetan Buddhism that DIFFER from other forms of Buddhism beliefs. The main ideas of more conventional styles of Buddhism also apply. The 3 jewels, refuge, 4 noble truths, bodhicitta, emptiness, and so forth are essential parts of Tibetan Buddhism. Here are the 4 main ideas of Buddhism in general.
3 main beliefs of Tibetan Buddhism: Vajrayana & 3 Yanas
The 3 main beliefs of Tibetan Buddhism begin with the Vajrayana and the 3 yanas. Vajrayana means Indestructible Vehicle. It correlates somewhat with the third turning of the wheel of dharma. Vajrayana is the culmination and the specialty of Tibetan Buddhism.
Vajrayana begins with the Hinayana as the foundation. Hinayana is the Buddha’s first teachings on egolessness, the 4 Noble Truths, karma, the skandhas, the 3 marks of existence, and the Vinaya.
Hinayana is the narrow vehicle. Egolessness means there is no self. Various studies and investigations lead to this realization. The 4 Noble Truths deal with the fundamental reality of suffering and the escape from it by meditation. Karma is the system of helplessly being pushed through unending rebirths in the cycle of suffering. The skandhas are the overarching map of the self as it is composed of various pieces. The 3 marks of existence are suffering, impermanence, and egolessness. The Vinaya is the Buddha’s code of conduct – both the 5 precepts and 10 virtuous non-virtuous actions for laypeople and the extensive codes for monastics.
Mahayana, the great vehicle, correlates largely with the second turning of the wheel of dharma. The main topics are the bodhicitta – the desire to liberate others from suffering and the desire to attain wisdom. Compassion is the main fuel for the Bodhisattvas, who travel the Mahayana path. Seeing emptiness is the goal of meditation as that provides the necessary insight to escape suffering and liberate others.
Vajrayana, the diamond or indestructible vehicle, is the specialty of Tibetan dharma. Vajrayana focuses on taking the fruition as the path. The practitioner sees themself and all beings as enlightened buddhas, fully manifested. They focus on all phenomena as completely perfected in their nature. This contrasts with the Mahayana, wherein one must slowly and steadily increase the virtues, merit, and wisdom through bodhisattva activity – benefitting others and meditating. The tantric yogi does accumulate various factors, but this is mainly to apply them to seeing the world as inherently pure and luminously empty.
I did say it was subjective. That is really 3 beliefs in one idea. I guess that’s how the 3 main beliefs of Tibetan Buddhism appear!
How to meditate like a yogi
and enter profound samadhi
Tibetan Buddhist Practice: 3 roots
The 3 roots are the guru, yidam, and protector. Here is a detailed version of the 3 roots.
Without a guru, or lama, the Vajrayana path is not possible. The lama is the root of blessings and is the condensation of the 3 roots. Blessings are the ability to understand the dharma and to attain meditative insights. The guru provides abhishekas, or empowerments, that bless the practitioner with the ability to do various practices. They also transmit understanding of the nature of mind, and offer the various levels of vows, especially the tantric vows of samaya. Only the lama can offer the Tantric vows, but others can offer the Refuge and Bodhisattva vows. A strong devotional attitude toward the lama is essential for success.
The yidam is the root of accomplishment. Accomplishment is attaining and stabilizing realization. The yidam is the meditational deity, invoking various qualities particular to the practice – especially peaceful or wrathful, or in-between. The yidam expresses the enlightened nature of the yogi in clear visualized symbols. This purifies ordinary conceptions of mind and leads to realization when the yidam is stabilized as self-perception and perception of external phenomena.
The dharmapala, or protector, is the root of activity. Protectors clear away obstacles to the path. The protection refers to their vow to protect the dharma, usually through wrathful activity, until the end of time.
Flow, the profound mental state, also called Peak Performance, can be attained with meditation and can be ‘triggered’ at will, with enough discipline. Guide to Flow Mastery will teach you how.
Buddha Nature / Sugatagarbha: Qualities of Enlightenment
Buddha nature, tathagatagarbha, is the essential nature of reality. It is the core teaching of the 3rd turning of the wheel of dharma. It represents the ultimate nature of reality: the empty of other, self-luminous great expanse of the wisdom mind. Tathagatagharba – gone to suchness – is the Mahayana idea of Buddha Nature. In Vajrayana, sugatagarbha – gone to bliss – is the equivalent. Here the potential of tathagatagarbha is seen as the fully manifest realization of the Buddha.
What are the 3 main Tibetan Buddhist beliefs?
The main Tibetan Buddhist beliefs are Vajrayana and the 3 yanas, the 3 roots, and lineage. However, all other Buddhist beliefs are valid in Tibetan forms.
What are the 4 traditions of Tibetan Buddhism?
The lineages, or 4 traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, are Nyimgma, Kagyu, Gelug, and Sakya.
What are the three 3 core beliefs in Buddhism?
The 3 core beliefs in Buddhism generally are the 4 Noble Truths, Bodhicitta, and emptiness.
What makes Tibetan Buddhism unique?
Tibetan Buddhism is unique because it focuses so heavily on Tantric practice and a strong structure of lineage.
Conclusion
Tibetan dharma is very broad, with many more divisions than this. Other ideas of the 3 main beliefs of Tibetan Buddhism could be equally valid. In other forms of Buddhism 8-fold path, the 5 paths, and the 2 accumulations of merit and wisdom could take precedence.
May all beings be happy
May all beings be peaceful
May all beings be safe
May all beings awaken to the light of their true nature
May all beings be free
