Author Topic: Dalai Lama said- Tibetan is the best language to study Buddhism  (Read 4896 times)

christine V

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Dalai Lama said- Tibetan is the best language to study Buddhism
« on: November 08, 2015, 02:49:01 PM »
On this , I do think H.H Dalai Lama has a point that Tibetan is the best language for studying in Buddhism. Tonmi Sambhota created the script for Tibetan language. If we study the reincarnation line of Dorje Shugden, Tonmi Sambhota is one of the reincarnation of Dorje Shugden.

Below is the news
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Tibetan is the best language for studying Buddhism: His Holiness
Tuesday, 03 November 2015 17:01 Molly Lortie, Tibet Post International
 Link: http://www.thetibetpost.com/en/news/exile/4773-tibetan-is-the-best-language-for-studying-buddhism-his-holiness


His Holiness the Dalai Lama addresses the crowd gathered during the long life offering ceremony for His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Main Tibetan Temple, Dharamshala, India, on November 3, 2015.

Dharamshala — The spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama said Tuesday that "the best language for receiving teachings of the Buddha is Tibetan."

Thousands of Tibetans and devotees gathered early Tuesday morning, November 3, at the main Temple in McLeod Ganj to participate in a teaching and long life offering for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

After the cancellation of several planned appearances and general concerns for His Holiness's health, the Tibetan community and other devotees came out in large numbers to receive the teaching and pray for his long life, with the total number of devotees at more than 7,000.

The long life offering was organized in collaboration by several organizations including the Barkham Tibetan communities; Sogshoe and Tridho, and the Executive Committee of Dhokham Chushi Gangdruk. The day was celebrated in accordance with Lhabab Duchen, a Buddhist festival celebrated to observe the descent of the Buddha from heaven back to Earth.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate began the event with a teaching and empowerment, revisiting the roots of Buddhism in Tibet which was spread by Indian masters who not only built monasteries and spread teachings, but encouraged the Tibetan language to grow into the spiritual depth it now commands.

"Particularly, Master Santaraksita advised Tibetans to study the Buddha Dharma in our own language, so since the 8th century when he came to Tibet, we have a Tibetan translation of over 100 volumes of the words of the Buddha," His Holiness said.

"Over 200 volumes of texts on these teachings. So today we can say that the complete teachings of the Buddha exists in Tibetan language," he added.

"The best language for receiving teachings of the Buddha is Tibetan. The reason is because before Buddhism came to Tibet, Tibetan language didn't used to have a vast vocabulary, but since we began to translate Indian literature into our own language, Tibetans began coining new words so in this way Tibetan has become very rich in vocabulary when it comes to understanding the philosophy of Buddhism. Tibetan words for the Sanskrit terms in philosophy are quite exact."

"We can think of Buddhism in terms of three main categories - philosophy, science and religion. The religious part involves principles and practices that are of concern to Buddhism alone, but the Buddhist philosophy of interdependence as well as the Buddha science of mind and human emotions are of great benefit to everyone," His Holiness added.

Following the teaching was a long life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and a short presentation in the yard below the temple by Barkham Tsogsho dedicated to the Tibetan leader including several offerings and a dance performance.

His Holiness ended the day’s events by acknowledging the spiritual bond between him and the Tibetan people, saying, “that’s what counts. For a small boy from a village near Kumbum to become leader of Tibet, there must have been a strong karmic connection between us all.”

kris

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Re: Dalai Lama said- Tibetan is the best language to study Buddhism
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2015, 04:02:33 PM »
I would agree with @christine, because I have heard the similar explanation too. I was told that before Buddhim took root in Tibet, there is no written language, and there is only spoken language. In order to preserve the Buddha's teaching in Tibet, the written language of Tibetan is invented.

However, I think this topic is posted in the wrong board. It should be in the "General Buddhism" board instead.  :)

fruven

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Re: Dalai Lama said- Tibetan is the best language to study Buddhism
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2015, 12:10:50 AM »
I can't disagree as Buddhism has been preserved in Tibetan language for so long centuries in its entirety. The Kangyur is preserved in Tibetan language. We are fortunate that one can still learn and master language. At the same time we have qualified Tibetan Buddhist masters as our spiritual guide.

psylotripitaka

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Re: Dalai Lama said- Tibetan is the best language to study Buddhism
« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2015, 01:02:34 AM »
If the instructions we receive in our own language are blessed by lineage transmission and we gain control of our mind, that is the best language.

If we know Tibetan we may have access to a lot more information, but luckily profound instructions exist in many languages now guiding us precisely how to enter, progress, and complete the path.  Jetsun Milarepa said 'know what is sufficient'. Receiving teaching transmissions and gaining genuine experience of Dharma is what matters, what language it is packaged in is irrelevant. Time is short, and generally speaking we'd do better to learn easily in our language and gain realization than spend many years trying to learn Tibetan language.

Matibhadra

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Re: Dalai Lama said- Tibetan is the best language to study Buddhism
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2015, 02:14:40 AM »
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The best language for receiving teachings of the Buddha is Tibetan.

What a stupid statement. The best language for receiving teachings of the Buddha is the language one can understand.

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Particularly, Master Santaraksita advised Tibetans to study the Buddha Dharma in our own language

This was an intelligent statement by Master Santaraksita, because Tibetan was the language Tibetans could understand.

The evil dalie, from the deep darkness of his evil intentions and dumbness, simply cannot connect the points.

Matibhadra

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Re: Dalai Lama said- Tibetan is the best language to study Buddhism
« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2015, 02:32:21 AM »
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Tibetan words for the Sanskrit terms in philosophy are quite exact

Words are never exact or inexact. Words are just conventional sounds which can express just any meaning.

The evil dalie's obsession with Tibetan words is similar to the dumb, fetishistic, narcissistic attitude of Hindu and Jewish priests, who believe that their Sanskrit or Hebrew letters and sounds are endowed with some intrinsic meaning.

The evil dalie is that far from even smelling what Buddhism is all about.

Pema8

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Re: Dalai Lama said- Tibetan is the best language to study Buddhism
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2015, 04:53:28 PM »

Tibetan is the best language for studying Buddhism: His Holiness
Tuesday, 03 November 2015 17:01 Molly Lortie, Tibet Post International

Dharamshala — The spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama said Tuesday that "the best language for receiving teachings of the Buddha is Tibetan."

"Over 200 volumes of texts on these teachings. So today we can say that the complete teachings of the Buddha exists in Tibetan language," he added.

"The best language for receiving teachings of the Buddha is Tibetan. The reason is because before Buddhism came to Tibet, Tibetan language didn't used to have a vast vocabulary, but since we began to translate Indian literature into our own language, Tibetans began coining new words so in this way Tibetan has become very rich in vocabulary when it comes to understanding the philosophy of Buddhism. Tibetan words for the Sanskrit terms in philosophy are quite exact."

"We can think of Buddhism in terms of three main categories - philosophy, science and religion. The religious part involves principles and practices that are of concern to Buddhism alone, but the Buddhist philosophy of interdependence as well as the Buddha science of mind and human emotions are of great benefit to everyone," His Holiness added.

I don't see myself learning Tibetan so much in depth that I will be able to study philosophy, science and religion!

Buddhist teachings are not about learning a language but about understanding and integrating the teachings in daily life!