Tibetan Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions specific to Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India. It is also practiced in Mongolia and parts of Russia and Northeast China. Its canon includes the translated sutra teaching (108 volumes) of the Buddha better known as the Gajur (bKa ' 'gyur) and the translated collections of Indian commentaries (225 volumes) on Buddha's words better known as the Tanjur (bstan 'gyur).

After the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet, it developed into numerous sects, the four major sects are Nyingmapa(rNying ma pa), Kagyupa (bKa 'rgyud pa), Sakyapa (Sa skya ba), and Gelugpa (dGelugs pa). In Chinese and English languages, these sects are sometimes referred by the colors of the hats worn by their practitioners. For instance, Nyingmapa is often called as Red Hat sect, whilst Gelugpa is referred to as Yellow Hat sect.

Buddhist elements such as monasteries, stupas (mchod rten), latses (ab tse), religious flags erected on the mountain tops, wind-horses, and ceremonial scarves are ubiquitous across Qinghai. Buddhist practices from simple prostrations to grand assemblies of monastic communities that are frequently observed by practitioners and devotees are varied and numerous. Some most common festivals have been chosen as samples below.

 Chotrul Molam Chemo (cho 'phrul smon lam chen mo) is a prayer meeting held from 8th to 15th of the first lunar month. This festival dates back to 1409 when Tsongka pa founded it in commemorating the Buddha Sakakyamuni. This festival later flourished at all Gelugpa monasteries in Tibetan regions. During this festival, diverse religious activities are arranged in the monasteries where monks assemble for chanting sessions, a large painted Buddha image is exhibited on a nearby hill slope, and religious masked dances are also performed. Lay people from the nearby regions also participated in such events as observers. They also take such opportunities to worship in the monasteries.