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Karma Kagyu branch of Buddhism

2021 AUG 16

Preliminary   > Art and Culture   >   Miscellaneous   >   Buddhism

Why in news?

  • India working for return of the 17th Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje. The 17th Karmapa has been out of India since May 2017 and has taken the citizenship and passport of Dominica, a Caribbean island country

About Karma Kagyu:

  • The Karma Kagyu School belongs to the Vajrayana branch of Buddhism.
  • It is one of the 4 main schools of Tibetan Buddhism and is known for its meditation practices and sometime is considered anti-scholastic.
  • It is founded by Tilopa (988-1069) and is headed by the Karmapa Lama.
  • Important Kagyupa teachers include Naropa, Marpa, and Milarepa.
  • Important teachings of the Kagyu School include the Buddhist philosophical traditions of Yogacara and Madhyamaka, as well as the tantric tradition of Chakrasamvara, among others.

Other roups within Tibetan Buddhism:

  • Nyingmapa:
    • Founded by Padmasambhava, this is oldest sect, noted in the West for the teachings of the Tibetan Book of the Dead.
  • Karma Kagyu / Kagyupa:
    • Discussed above
  • Sakyapa:
    • Created by Gonchok Gyelpo (1034-1102).
  • Gelugpa:
    • Also known as the Virtuous School founded by Tsong Khapa Lobsang Drakpa (1357 – 1419)
    • This tradition is headed by the Dalai Lama.
    • Dalai Lama is a title given by the Tibetan people for the foremost spiritual leader of this school of Tibetan Buddhism
    • The Dalai Lama and Tibet is one of the major irritants between India and China relations.
    • China considers the Dalai Lama a separatist, who has great influence over Tibetans. India seeks to use Tibetan card in order to counter China’s continuing aggression at the Line of Actual Control.

About Karmapa: 

  • The Karmapa is the head of the Karma Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
  • The historical seat of the Karmapas is Tsurphu Monastery in the Tolung valley of Tibet.
  • The Karmapa's principal seat in exile is the Dharma Chakra Centre at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, India.
  • 17th Karmapa is the second highest Buddhist leader of Tibetan origin after the Dalai Lama.

 

PRELIMS QUESTION

Which of the following statements is / are correct regarding Karma Kagyu branch of Buddhism?

1. It is the oldest sect of Tibetan Buddhism and is founded by Padmasambhava

2. Teachings of the Kagyu School include the Buddhist philosophical traditions of Yogacara and Madhyamaka

Select the correct answer using the code given below

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer

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