Tibet
ca. 13th-14th century
Tibet
ca. 13th-14th century
The Buddha’s teachings as oral recitations were written down in texts known as sutras and envisioned in images. At the time of their writing, the sutras represented the latest developments in Buddhist philosophy and practice. As one of the earliest and most important, The Perfection of Wisdom Sutra presents the means to comprehend and perfect the essential Buddhist wisdom—that the self is a construct—and develops concepts that will become known as the Greater Vehicle, or Mahayana movement. With the intention to generate merit—an investment of positive karma to ensure a good present and future lives—wealthy patrons commissioned artists and scribes to create decorated manuscripts as the physical containers of the Buddha’s words and objects of devotion. It is believed that reciting the sutra purifies the space wherever it is heard, generates positive karmic links with the teachings in the minds of all gathered, and brings well-being and prosperity.
The antidote to ignorance, with the highest form of wisdom being an understanding of the true nature of reality and all phenomena. In Buddhism studying the nature of interdependence and emptiness is considered an important step for attaining wisdom.
In Buddhism merit is accumulated through engaging in positive actions that lead to positive results, such as better rebirths. Buddhists gain merit by making offerings, donating to those in need, reciting mantras, and other good deeds.
Teachings and precepts that offer practical and experiential guidance. In Buddhism instruction is primarily an oral tradition and is often targeted to the specific needs or disposition of a student or disciple.
Today, Tibetans primarily inhabit the Tibetan Plateau, situated between the Himalayan mountain range and the Indian subcontinent to the west, Chinese cultural regions to the east, and Mongolian cultural regions to the northeast. During the 7th to 9th century, Tibetan rulers expanded their empire across Central Asia, and established Buddhism as the state religion.
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