Are Tibetan Buddhism and Tantric Buddhism the same thing?

[Red Faced Buddha]

Just out of curiosity,is Tibetan Buddhism and Tantric Buddhism the same?

[Indrajala]

No, Tibetan Buddhism includes many other aspects and practices than just tantra.

[Red Faced Buddha]

No, Tibetan Buddhism includes many other aspects and practices than just tantra.

Like what?

[Indrajala]

No, Tibetan Buddhism includes many other aspects and practices than just tantra.

Like what?

Madhyamaka philosophy, incense rolling, butter sculptures, Abhidharma, Vinaya and many other things.

[KeithBC]

Furthermore, there are tantric Buddhist sects that are not Tibetan.

Om mani padme hum
Keith

[Sherlock]

The main practices for the five schools are based on tantra. Dzogchen texts might set it as a path separate from tantra but I don't think Dzogchen has ever been taught without any tantra. However all schools have their own traditions of teaching sutras and sastras of Mahayana philosophy as well as shamatha and vipasyana.

[pueraeternus]

I get the impression that in Nalandabodhi (Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche's organization), they do cater for those who only practice in the sutra tradition. Which is interesting, since I also had the impression that all the Tibetan schools lead their students to tantra, with sutra only as preliminary training.

[Astus]

I get the impression that in Nalandabodhi (Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche's organization), they do cater for those who only practice in the sutra tradition. Which is interesting, since I also had the impression that all the Tibetan schools lead their students to tantra, with sutra only as preliminary training.

The Bodhi Path of the Shamarpa is also mostly sutra teachings, i.e. Lojong.

[justsit]

I get the impression that in Nalandabodhi (Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche's organization), they do cater for those who only practice in the sutra tradition. Which is interesting, since I also had the impression that all the Tibetan schools lead their students to tantra, with sutra only as preliminary training.

May I ask where you get that impression?

[pueraeternus]

I get the impression that in Nalandabodhi (Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche's organization), they do cater for those who only practice in the sutra tradition. Which is interesting, since I also had the impression that all the Tibetan schools lead their students to tantra, with sutra only as preliminary training.

May I ask where you get that impression?

From time to time I attend Nalandabodhi NY's events. It was from a chat with someone there once - I can't recall why we got to that subject, but I think it is related to the Nalandabodhi curriculum.

Did I get the wrong impression then? I didn't probe further, so I could have gotten it wrong altogether.

[pueraeternus]

I get the impression that in Nalandabodhi (Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche's organization), they do cater for those who only practice in the sutra tradition. Which is interesting, since I also had the impression that all the Tibetan schools lead their students to tantra, with sutra only as preliminary training.

The Bodhi Path of the Shamarpa is also mostly sutra teachings, i.e. Lojong.

Ah - interesting. Thanks!

[justsit]

I get the impression that in Nalandabodhi (Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche's organization), they do cater for those who only practice in the sutra tradition. Which is interesting, since I also had the impression that all the Tibetan schools lead their students to tantra, with sutra only as preliminary training.

May I ask where you get that impression?

From time to time I attend Nalandabodhi NY's events. It was from a chat with someone there once - I can't recall why we got to that subject, but I think it is related to the Nalandabodhi curriculum.

Did I get the wrong impression then? I didn't probe further, so I could have gotten it wrong altogether.

Perhaps, depends on the context of your conversation.

Just to clarify a bit - the NB curriculum is divided into three sections for the three yanas. Courses/events open to the public are typically limited to the sutra level approach; vajrayana courses are reserved for DPR's students.
DPR holds both Nyingma and Kagyu lineages, and teaches at the highest levels; and as he sometimes quips, with a smile, "My first name is Dzogchen."

[pueraeternus]

Perhaps, depends on the context of your conversation.

Just to clarify a bit - the NB curriculum is divided into three sections for the three yanas. Courses/events open to the public are typically limited to the sutra level approach; vajrayana courses are reserved for DPR's students.
DPR holds both Nyingma and Kagyu lineages, and teaches at the highest levels; and as he sometimes quips, with a smile, "My first name is Dzogchen."

Noted - thanks for the clarification.

DPR is an amazing teacher. I have yet to meet him in person (he doesn't come to NYC very often), but I enjoyed his videos. I hope I can meet Khenpo someday, but it is unlikely since I heard due to his health and age he is probably not going to leave Nepal.