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==Tibetan Buddhist schools== There are various schools or traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. The four main traditions overlap markedly, such that "about eighty percent or more of the features of the Tibetan schools are the same".<ref name="IntroComparison">[http://studybuddhism.com/en/advanced-studies/abhidharma-tenet-systems/comparison-of-buddhist-traditions/how-do-the-tibetan-buddhist-traditions-differ How Do the Tibetan Buddhist Traditions Differ?], Study Buddhism, Berzin Archives, Retrieved 04.06.2016</ref> Differences include the use of apparently, but not actually, contradictory terminology, opening dedications of texts to different deities and whether phenomena are described from the viewpoint of an unenlightened practitioner or of a Buddha.<ref name="IntroComparison" /> On questions of philosophy, there has historically been disagreement regarding the nature of [[Yogachara|Yogacara]] and [[Buddha-nature]] teachings (and whether these are of expedient meaning or ultimate meaning), which still colours the current presentations of ''[[Śūnyatā|sunyata]]'' (emptiness) and [[Paramārtha-satya|ultimate reality]].{{sfnp|Hookham|1991}}{{sfnp|Brunnhölzl|2004}}{{sfnp|Cornu|2001}} The 19th century [[Rimé movement]] downplayed these differences, as still reflected in the stance of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, who states that there are no fundamental differences between these schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=The_four_main_schools_of_Tibetan_Buddhism|title=The four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism|website=Rigpa Wiki|access-date=31 July 2013}}</ref> However, there are still philosophical disagreements between the different traditions, such as the debate regarding [[Rangtong-Shentong|rangtong and shentong]] interpretations of [[Madhyamaka]] philosophy.{{sfnp|Samuel|2012|p=56}} The four major schools are sometimes divided into the [[Nyingma]] (or "Old Translation") and [[Sarma (Tibetan Buddhism)|Sarma]] (or "New Translation") traditions, which follow different canons of scripture (the [[Nyingma Gyubum]] along with [[Terma (religion)|Termas]] and the [[Tengyur]]-[[Kangyur]] respectively).<ref name="Arya 2022 p. 155">{{cite book | last=Arya | first=T.G. | title=The Ancient Tibetan Civilization | publisher=Library of Tibetan Works and Archives | series=Tibetan Historical Studies | year=2022 | isbn=978-93-90752-72-0 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SNhaEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA155 | access-date=2024-03-11 | page=155}}</ref> Each school also traces itself to a certain lineage going back to India as well as certain important Tibetan founders. While all the schools share most practices and methods, each school tends to have a certain preferred focus (see table below). Another common but trivial differentiation is into the Yellow Hat (Gelug) and [[Red Hat sect|Red Hat]] (non-Gelug) sects. The features of each major school (along with one influential minor school, Jonang) is as follows:<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Mandala|first=John|last=Powers|title=Getting to know the Four Schools of Tibetan Buddhism|url=https://fpmt.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2007/10/getting_to_know_the_four_schools_of_tibetan_buddhism.pdf|date=October–November 2007|pages=18–21|via=FPMT website |ref=none}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" width="950" style="text-align: center" ! width="150" | School ! width="200" |'''[[Nyingma]]''' ! width="200" |'''[[Kadam (Tibetan Buddhism)|Kadam]]''' (defunct) ! width="200" |'''[[Kagyu]]''' ! width="200" |'''[[Sakya (Tibetan Buddhist school)|Sakya]]''' ! width="200" |'''[[Gelug]]''' ! width="200" |'''[[Jonang]]''' |- ! Traditions | bgcolor="#CCBBCC" |Old Translation | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |New Translation | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |New Translation | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |New Translation | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |New Translation | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |New Translation |- ! Origin | bgcolor="#CCBBCC" |Developed from the 8th century onwards | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |Founded in the 11th century by [[Atiśa]] and his students. Ceased to exist as an independent school by the 16th century. | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |Transmitted by Marpa in the 11th century. [[Dagpo Kagyu]] was founded in the 12th century by Gampopa. | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |[[Sakya Monastery]] founded in 1073. | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |Dates to 1409 with the founding of [[Ganden monastery]] | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |Dates to the 12th century |- ! Emphasis | bgcolor="#CCBBCC" |Emphasizes [[Dzogchen]] and its texts, as well as the [[Guhyagarbha tantra|Guhyagarbha Tantra]] | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |Emphasizes classic [[Mahayana]] study and practice in a monastic setting, source of [[lojong]] and [[lamrim]] | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |Emphasizes [[Mahamudra]] and the [[Six Dharmas of Naropa]] | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |Favors the [[Hevajra#Hevajra Tantra|Hevajra Tantra]] as the basis of their [[Lamdre]] system | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |Focuses on [[Guhyasamāja Tantra]], the [[Cakrasamvara Tantra]], and the [[Kalacakra Tantra]] | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |Focuses on [[Kalacakra Tantra]] and [[Ratnagotravibhāga]] |- ! Key figures | bgcolor="#CCBBCC" | [[Śāntarakṣita]], <br> [[Garab Dorje]], <br> [[Vimalamitra]], <br> [[Padmasambhava]], <br> [[Rongzom Chökyi Zangpo]], <br> [[Longchenpa]], <br> and [[Jamgön Ju Mipham Gyatso]]. | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | [[Atiśa]], <br> [[Dromtön]], <br> Ngog Legpai Sherab, <br> [[Ngok Loden Sherab|Ngog Loden Sherab]], <br> Chaba Chokyi Senge, <br> and [[Patsab Nyima Drakpa]]. | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | [[Maitripada]], <br> [[Naropa]], <br> [[Tilopa]], <br> [[Marpa Lotsawa|Marpa]], <br> [[Milarepa]], <br> and [[Gampopa]]. | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | [[Naropa]], <br> [[Ratnākaraśānti]], <br> the founder [[Drogmi]], <br> [[Khon Konchog Gyalpo]], <br> [[Sakya Pandita]] <br> and [[Gorampa]]. | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | [[Atisa]], <br> his disciple [[Dromtön]], <br> the founder of Gelug [[Je Tsongkhapa]], <br> and the [[Dalai Lamas]]. | bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | [[Yumo Mikyo Dorje]], <br> [[Dolpopa]], <br> and [[Taranatha]] |- |} In his work, ''The Four Dharma Traditions of the Land of Tibet'', [[Jamgön Ju Mipham Gyatso|Mipham Rinpoche]] described the four main schools as follows: {{poemquote|text= Nyingma followers of Secret Mantra emphasize the actual tantra. They pursue the highest view and delight in conduct that is stable. Many reach the vidyādhara levels and attain accomplishment, And many are mantrins, whose power is greater than others. Kagyü followers, the protectors of beings, emphasize devotion. Many find that receiving the lineage's blessings is sufficient. And many gain accomplishment through perseverance in the practice They are similar to, and mix together with, the Nyingmapas. The Riwo Gendenpas (i.e. Gelugpas) emphasize the ways of the learned. They are fond of analytical meditation and delight in debate. And they impress all with their elegant, exemplary conduct. They are popular, prosperous, and put effort into learning. The glorious Sakyapas emphasize approach and accomplishment. Many are blessed through the power of recitation and visualisation, They value their own ways and their regular practice is excellent. When compared to any other school, they have something of them all. Ema! All four dharma traditions of this land of Tibet Have but one real source, even if they arose individually. Whichever one you follow, if you practise it properly It can bring the qualities of learning and accomplishment.}} There is another minor sect, the [[Bodongpa|Bodong]] school. This tradition was founded in 1049 by the Kadam teacher Mudra Chenpo, who also established the Bodong E Monastery. Its most famous teacher was Bodong Penchen Lénam Gyelchok (1376–1451) who authored over one hundred and thirty-five volumes. This tradition is also known for maintaining a female tulku lineage of incarnated lamas called the [[Samding Dorje Phagmo]]. While [[Bon|Yungdrung Bon]] considers itself a separate religion with pre-Buddhist origins, and it is considered as non-Buddhist by the main Tibetan traditions, it shares so many similarities and practices with mainstream Tibetan Buddhism that some scholars such as [[Geoffrey Samuel]] see it as "essentially a variant of Tibetan Buddhism".{{sfnp|Samuel|2012|p=232}} Yungdrung Bon is closely related to Nyingma Buddhism, and includes [[Dzogchen]] teachings, similar deities, rituals and forms of monasticism.<br />
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