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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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Lamaism
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1992-09-03
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The religion of Tibet and Mongolia, a form of
Mahayana Buddhism. Buddhism was introduced
into Tibet AD 640, but the real founder of
Lamaism was the Indian missionary Padma
Sambhava who began his activity about 750.
The head of the church is the Dalai Lama, who
is considered an incarnation of the
Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. On the death of
the Dalai Lama great care is taken in finding
the infant in whom he has been reincarnated.
In the 15th century Tsongkhapa founded the
sect of Geluk-Pa (virtuous), which has
remained the most powerful organization in
the country. The Dalai Lama, residing at the
palace of Potala in Lhasa, exercised both
spiritual and temporal authority as head of
the Tibetan state until 1959, aided by the
Panchen Lama. Before Chinese Communist rule,
it was estimated that one in four of Tibet's
male population was a Lamaist monk, but now
their numbers are greatly reduced.
Prayer-wheels and prayer-flags, on which were
inscribed prayers, were formerly a common
sight in the Tibetan countryside; when these
were turned by hand or moved by the wind,
great spiritual benefit was supposed to
accrue.