A concise introduction to Tibetan Buddhism /
John Powers.
- 165 pages ; 23 cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. [149]-151) and indexes.
The Indian background -- Origins of Tibetan Buddhism -- The Buddha -- The Buddha's teaching career -- Mahayana -- Origins -- Mahayana doctrines -- The bodhisattva path -- Some important Buddhist doctrines -- Karma and rebirth -- Dependent arising -- Meditation -- The role of meditation in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism -- Stabilizing and analytical meditation -- The five Buddhist paths -- Tantra -- The place of the Tantras in Buddhist literature -- Tantra as a branch of Mahayana -- Tantric symbols -- Entering Tantric practice -- The four classes of Tantra -- The preliminary practices -- Death and dying in Tibetan Buddhism -- The four orders -- Similarities and differences -- The nonsectarian movement -- Nyingma -- Sakya -- Kagyu -- Geluk.