Contents

1. Introductory material:

   A chronology, a pronunciation guide and an introduction, which will survey briefly Tibetan Buddhism and the Tibetan Bon religion, both within Chinese-controlled Tibet, among the Tibetan diaspora and as among non-Tibetan populations around the world; sketch some of the central features of Tibetan religion in these various contexts, and introduce the structure of the book as a whole. It will also emphasise the theme of the lama as a key figure in Tibetan religion.

2. PART ONE

   This covers elements of the general historical, cultural and textual background needed as an orientation to the substantive chapters that follow in Part Two.

   1. Chapter One:

      Covers the historical, cultural and geographical background to the formation of Tibetan Buddhism (including the Tibetan Bön religion), including a brief discussion of the relationship to Buddhism in India and elsewhere, the historicity of early Tibetan figures (Padmasambhava, Tönpa Shenrab, etc), the Old (Nyingma) and New (Sarma) schools and the growth of lineages of teaching and practice within Tibet, including the Terma or visionary traditions. Introduces the major contemporary traditions (Nyingmapa, Kagyüpa, Sakyapa, Gelugpa, Bon) with emphasis on the development of fundamental patterns of Tibetan religion in the 9th to 13th centuries, the growth of Gelugpa dominance from the 16th century onwards and the effects of the Rimé movement in the 19th and 20th centuries. Also introduces the bodies of textual material (Buddhist and Bonpo Kagyur, Tengyur, Nyingmé Gyudbum, Terma collections and writings of major lamas, while stressing the importance of the practice tradition in relation to textual transmission.

3. PART TWO

   A series of chapters outlining specific aspects of Tibetan Buddhism (including the Bon tradition).

   1. Chapter Two: Tibetan Buddhism as a Path to Liberation

      The central soteriological goals of the Buddhist and Bon traditions and the techniques and approaches through which the traditions pursues them. Sutra and Tantra teachings and the idea of the 'gradual path'. The ideal of the tantric teacher as a component of the role of the lama. The different ways in which this works out in the major contemporary traditions, especially Gelugpa and Rimé/Dzogchen.

   2. Chapter Three: Tibetan Buddhism as a System of Knowledge

      The scholarly tradition of Buddhism and Bon; philosophy, debating, history etc. Tibetan Buddhism as a powerful explanatory model for understanding the world and one's place within it. The ideal of the scholar as a component of the role of the lama. Again emphasis on the spectrum of developments across the major contemporary traditions.

   3. Chapter Four: Tibetan Buddhism as an Ethical Tradition

      Buddhism and Bon as the basis for an ethical code, karma and the question of worldly success. The concept of the 'taming' and civilising mission of Buddhism in Tibet and the role of Chenrezi (Avalokitesvara) as founder of the Tibetan nation and central symbol of compassion and mutual responsibility. The idea of the monastic abbot as a component of the role of the lama.

   4. Chapter Five: Tibetan Buddhism as Practical Religion

      The ritual management of Buddhist and Bon power to protect the community and maintain the health and prosperity of its members. Tibetan medical and health practices and their relationship to Buddhism. Communication with the local deities and spirits as part of the business of lamas and monasteries. The idea of the ritual practitioner, healer etc as a component of the role of the lama.

   5. Chapter Six: Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan Identity

      The ways in which Buddhism and Bon articulated and presented various kinds of Tibetan identity in the past (the Tibetan Empire, the Epic of Gesar, the myth of the taming of the local gods, the role of local gods in regional identity, Bonpo alternative histories, etc). Historical relationships with surrounding countries; missionary aspects of Buddhism in Mongolia, Yunnan, etc.

   6. Chapter Seven: Tibetan Buddhism and Women

      Gender issues in Tibetan Buddhism and the Bon tradition. How did Tibetan Buddhism conceive of women's human and spiritual possibilities in relation to those of men? What options have been open in practice to women in Tibetan religion? (Material on contemporary developments is reserved to Chapter Eight)

4. PART THREE

   Looks at key issues relating to the development of Tibetan Buddhism in the contemporary world.

   1. Chapter Eight: Tibetan Buddhism and the Tibetans Today

      Buddhism, Bon and and Tibetan identity since the 1950s; Buddhism and political resistance; Buddhism, Bon and the Tibetan diaspora, including the role of the Dalai Lama as Tibetan national leader and the problematic relation to Chinese rule.

   2. Chapter Nine: Tibetan Religion as World Religion

      Future transformations; Kalacakra and World Peace; Western images of Tibet (Theosophical masters, Shangri-La and Shambhala); the Dalai Lama's global significance; Tibetan Buddhist and Bon groups around the world; possible futures.

   3. Glossary of Tibetan terms

Each chapter has some questions/topics for discussion; recommendations for further reading (both Tibetan textual material and academic discussions)