Interpretation of Tibetan monk titles

 

Interpretation of Tibetan monk titles

 

The wise man Agudengba and the caravan leader Lacuo chatted about Tibetan Buddhism in Xiangxiong in the Western Region.

Agudengba said: There are many kinds of Tibetan Buddhist instruments, which are full of mystery. These magical instruments can be roughly divided into six categories: salute, praise, offering, holding, protecting demons, and persuading. Kasayas, necklaces, hadas, etc. belong to the salutation category; bells, drums, bone flutes, conches, six-stringed harps, tubas, etc. belong to the praise category; pagodas, mandala, eight treasures, seven political affairs, altars, canopies, etc. belong to the offering category; Rosary beads, wooden fish, vajra, initiation pots, kabala bowls, etc. belong to the upholding category; protective Buddhas, secret talismans, etc. belong to the demon-protecting category; Mani wheels, prayer wheels and pillars engraved or written with six-character mantras , stones, etc. belong to the persuasion category. Each magical instrument has its own different religious meaning, and some magical instruments have multiple uses.

But when Agudengpa talked about the reincarnation of the Living Buddha, the topic changed. He told Lacuo about the different titles of monks in Tibetan Buddhism:

The Tibetan Buddhist monkhood has formed a complete set of strict and classified selection systems within the religion. It is an important organizational guarantee for maintaining the order of Tibetan Buddhist temples and monastic groups and carrying out various religious activities. There are many titles. Generally speaking, they can be roughly divided into title-based monkhood titles, degree-based monkhood titles, precept-based monkhood titles and monkhood titles in monastic organizations.

Agudemba said:

Titled monk title is a kind of monk title conferred by the central dynasties of past dynasties. It is the most prestigious among the many monk titles in Tibetan Buddhism. This type of monkhood began in the Yuan Dynasty. In 1260, after Kublai Khan ascended the throne, he named Phagpa Luozhe Gyaltsen, the fifth generation founder of the Sakya sect, as the national preceptor, granted the jade seal, and took charge of the affairs of the academy and command. Buddhism spread all over the world; in 1269, Kublai Khan appointed Pasiba as the imperial master, thus promoting the formal formation of Tibet's theocratic system. Since then, Tibet’s theocratic system has had a profound impact on society in Tibetan areas.

Karmapa is a monastic title granted by the Ming Dynasty to the living Buddha of the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. In 1406, the fifth living Buddha of the Karma Kagyu Black Hat line, Deyin Sheba, arrived in Nanjing at the invitation of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty. He was warmly entertained by the Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty and was awarded the title of "The Most Perfect Perfect Enlightenment with Ten Directions in All Elements" The Tathagata, the Great Treasure Dharma King, the Tathagata Dharma King who is wise, kind, universal, able to bless the country, and the Buddha of the West, the Shanzizi Buddha, leads Buddhism in the world, is referred to as the "Grand Treasure Dharma King". This title became the exclusive title of the Karmapa Kagyu Black Hat Living Buddha, and it is still used today. For example, the 17th Karmapa Living Buddha is the "King of Karmapa" living today.

The Great Merciful Dharma King is a monastic title conferred by the Ming Dynasty on eminent monks of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. In 1413, Sakyamuni Yeshi (also known as Jiangqin Qujie), one of the great disciples of Master Tsongkhapa, came to Beijing on behalf of Tsongkhapa to answer the imperial edict. He was grandly welcomed by the Ming court. In 1415, he was named "Miao Miao" by Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty. Jueyuantong Cihuipu should assist the Guoxian religion to initiate and promote the Buddha in the West." In 1429, Sakyamuni was invited to Beijing again and stayed in the mainland to build temples and preach the Dharma. In 1434, he was appointed by Emperor Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty again. He was conferred the title of "The Supreme and Pure Prajna of All Things, Wonderful Brightness, Promoting Illumination and Universal Wisdom, Assisting the Nation to Reveal the Teachings, the Most Benevolent and Compassionate Dharma King, Western Heaven Enlightenment Tathagata, from the Great Perfect Tong Buddha", referred to as "The Great Compassionate Dharma King".

Mahayana Dharma King is a monastic title granted by the Ming Dynasty to eminent monks of the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism. In 1413, Gongga Tashi, an eminent monk of the Sakya sect, arrived in Nanjing at the invitation of the Ming Dynasty. He was conferred by Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty as "The Most Excellent Dharma of All Things, Harmony, Perfection, True Ru Wisdom, Wisdom, Propaganda, Benevolence, Guangji, Protector of the Country, Enlightenment, Mahayana, Dharma King of the Western Heaven, Supreme Good Vajra The Universal Great Light Buddha leads Buddhism in the world", referred to as the "Mahayana Dharma King".

Dazhi Dharmawang is a monastic title granted by the Ming Dynasty to eminent Tibetan Buddhist monks in eastern Tibet. In the early years of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty, the imperial court invited Bandan Zhaxi, an eminent Tibetan monk from the Minzhou area, to enter the court and let him stay in the mainland for a long time; during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty, he was awarded the title of "Great Master of Jingjue Tzu Chi"; during the reign of Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty, the Jin Dynasty awarded him the title of "Great Master of Jingjue Tzu Chi". "The Great Master of Buddha in the West"; during the reign of Emperor Zong of the Ming Dynasty, he was awarded the title of "Dharma King of Great Wisdom" by the Jin Dynasty.

King Chanhua is a monastic title conferred by the Ming Dynasty to eminent monks of the Kagyu sect of Pazhu Buddhism in Tibetan Buddhism. In 1406, Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty named Drakpa Gyaltsen, the fifth temple master of Tsetang Monastery, the main temple of the Kagyu Sect at that time, as the "King of Chanhua".

In addition to the above-mentioned Dharma Kings with higher monastic ranks, there are countless Tibetan Buddhist monastic titles awarded by the Ming Dynasty government, such as the King of Praise, the King of Protectors, the King of Interpretation, the King of Auxiliary Teaching, and the Western Heaven Buddha, and the Initiation King. National Preceptor, Initiation Grand National Preceptor, etc.

During the Qing Dynasty, the Qing government continued to confer supreme monastic titles on eminent Tibetan Buddhist monks, especially the Great Living Buddha of the Gelug Sect, such as the Dalai Lama, Panchen Lama, Zhangjia, and Jebtsundampa.

Agudengba said again:

The title of a degree-based monk has a high status and prestige in the Tibetan Buddhist community. Because this monk title is a religious academic title obtained by a very small number of monks after long-term hard study, it can show that each has a high professional level and status in the field of Buddhist knowledge. This religious title is collectively called "Geshi" in Tibetan, and is translated into Chinese as "good knowledge". "Geshe" has specific titles of different levels, such as "Lalampa", "Tsolampa", "Linsepa", "Torampa", "Arampa", "Manrampa", "Garampa" and so on.

Larampa Geshe is the highest academic title among Tibetan Buddhist Geshes and the highest degree among the sutras of Tibetan Buddhism. Every monk who applies for the Larampa Geshe degree must pass the defense of difficult Buddhist questions raised by eminent monks from the three major monasteries (Gaden Monastery, Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery) during the prayer ceremony held at the Jokhang Monastery in Lhasa. Only by obtaining recognition can one obtain this religious academic title.

Tsorumpa Geshe is a Geshe degree second only to "Lalampa". Each monk who takes the examination can only obtain this religious academic title by passing the Dharma Assembly held at Ramoche Temple in Lhasa and successfully defending Buddhist scriptures and theories in front of the eminent monks of the three major temples in Lhasa.

Linsai Geshe, this academic title ranks after Tso Lampa Geshe, is a Geshe degree obtained by a student monk in any of the three major monasteries in Lhasa by answering Buddhist scriptures and treatises. Dorumpa Geshe is a Geshe degree obtained by a certain scholar monk by answering Buddhist sutras at dharma meetings held on the stone steps in front of the main sutra halls of major monasteries, ranking second to Lindsay Geshe. All major monasteries that meet the conditions can grant the religious academic title to Geshe Dorumpa.

In addition to the above four different levels of Geshe degrees, there are also some more professional Geshe degrees, such as Arampa, Manrampa, etc.

Arampa Geshe is a Geshe degree obtained by a student monk through the study of Tantric theory and practical practice in the tantric academies of major monasteries. Manrampa Geshe is a Geshe degree or Tibetan medicine degree obtained by a monk who has studied Tibetan medicine for a long time at major monastic medical schools in Tibetan Buddhism.

In addition, there are lower-level religious academic titles such as "Garampa" and "Ranjangba" in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries.

Agudengba said again:

In terms of preceptive titles, Tibetan Buddhism is basically consistent with other Buddhist schools. For example, the preceptive titles in Tibetan Buddhism can be roughly divided into seven categories: Genie, Genema, Getse, Getsema, Gelong, Gelongma and Groma.

Genie, a layman, also known as a "near-matter man", is a man who accepts and protects the five precepts of a layman and can live in the secular world, that is, a Buddhist who practices Buddhism at home. ​

Ganyima, a female lay Buddhist, also known as "near things girl", is a woman who has accepted and protected the five precepts of lay people and can live in the secular world, that is, a female Buddhist who practices Buddhism at home.

Agudenba said:

As the most powerful and influential sect in Tibetan Buddhism, the Gelug Sect has established a sound and complete institutional system and monkhood system in monasteries, which has had a huge impact on other sects, and various sects have followed suit and implemented them. The monastic system of the Gelug sect has made the monastic positions in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries generally consistent.

The main monk positions in large Gelug monasteries include "Chiba", "Tsochen Xia'ao", "Tsochen Wengze", "Tsochen Jiwa", "Khenpo", "Gegui" and "Wengze" , "Guo Nie" and so on.

Chiba is the "Dharma Platform" or "General Dharma Platform", and its throne is located in the sutra halls of major temples. The Great Sutra Hall is the highest authority in Tibetan Buddhist temples, and major religious activities are held in the Great Sutra Hall. "Chiba" is the person in charge of all religious activities or affairs in the temple. Among the main Dracang (college) khenbu of the temple, eminent monks with profound Buddhist knowledge and high moral integrity are recommended to serve.

Lacuo was speechless as he listened to Agudengba's narration. Although he was very curious, his knowledge did increase.

Agudengba sang an impromptu song "Tsangyang Gyatso":

 

Live in the Potala Palace,

I am the biggest king in the snowy area.

Wandering on the streets of Lhasa,

I am the most beautiful lover in the world.

 

On the top of Nadong Mountain,

The white moon rises,

Maggie Ami’s face,

came to my mind.

 

When we walk on the Tibetan Plateau,

I will always hear Tsangyang Gyatso’s songs.

He is the sixth Dalai Lama,

He is also a famous poet in Tibet.

He is an eternal legend,

His life was an elusive mystery.

 

Tsangyang Gyatso more than three hundred years ago,

He succeeded the Sixth Dalai Lama at the age of fifteen.

He died in a foreign country when he was twenty-four years old.

Although he is a monk, the Dalai Lama,

But he wrote all the earthly feelings and love,

Show the world another kind of perfection.

 

He uses gorgeous and sad verses,

Write down the beauty and sadness of life,

His poetry has spread throughout the world.

It’s just a Chinese translation in the past hundred years,

There are no less than seven or eight versions.

There are still many new translations.

 

Tsangyang Gyatso left behind beautiful poems,

It is the strongest voice from his heart.

Tsangyang Gyatso’s most fundamental teachings,

It lies in believing in life itself,

No matter what appearance appears before our eyes,

They are all the best teachers in life.