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Buddhist Sects |
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Nyingma Sect
(Red Sect)
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Founded in the 11th century,
the Nyingma Sect is the oldest among Tibetan Buddhist sects.
As monks with the sect wear red monk hats, the sect is called
the Red Sect. It works only in the Tibetan-inhabited areas in
China, but also in India, Bhutan, Nepal, Belgium, Greece, France
and the United States. |
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Gedang Sect
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Founded in 1056, the
Gedang Sect went over to the Gelug Sect in the 15th century. |
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Sagya Sect
(Stripe Sect)
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Founded in 1073, it
was named Sagya (white clay in Tibetan) as the Sagya Monastery,
the chief monastery of the sect, had grayish white walls. It
is also called the Stripe Sect as the walls of the Sagya monasteries
are painted with red, white and black stripes, respectively
representing the Wisdom Buddha, the Goddess of Mercy and Guardian
Spirits. |
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Gagyu Sect
(White Sect)
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Founded in the 11th century,
the Gagyu Sect pays high importance to Tantric practices, which
are spread orally. Hence the name Gagyu, which means oral transmission.
As the founders of the sect, Marba and Milha Riba, wore white
monk robes when practicing meditation, the Gagyu Sect is also
called the White Sect. |
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Gelug Sect
(Yellow Sect)
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Founded in 1409, the
Gelug Sect emerged later than any of the others. It has six
major monasteries---Zhaibung, Sera, Tashilhungpo, Gandain, Tar
and Labrang. It is famous for its Dalai and Panchen reincarnation
systems. |
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