Introduction of Esoteric Buddhism to Tibet

Name: Introduction of Esoteric Buddhism to Tibet
Start: 701
End: 800

Type Event Region Tibetan Empire Time 701–800

In the 8th century, Tibetan king Trisong Detsen invited Indian masters Shantarakshita and Padmasambhava, built Samye Monastery, and established Buddh…

Timeline

763–775Lhasa · Tibetan EmpireTrisong Detsen invited the Nalanda master Shantarakshita (Zhi ba 'tsho) to Tibet to teach, promoting Mahayana Buddhism at the Tibetan court and clashing fiercely with the native Bon forces, laying the political groundwork for the later spread of esoteric Buddhism.
775–779Samye Monastery · Tibetan EmpirePadmasambhava (Padmakara) was invited to Tibet and used esoteric subjugation rituals to reconcile Buddhism and Bon; Trisong Detsen oversaw the completion of Samye Monastery, seven Tibetan youths were the first to be ordained, and esoteric teachings were formally established in Tibet.

Sources

西藏王臣记 — 第五世达赖喇嘛
The History of Tibet, Vol. 1 — Alex McKay (ed.) (2003)