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The early 10th century witnessed the entry of a feudal society in Tibet, with each of the Tubo ministers occupying a part of the kingdom and becoming feudal powers in their respective localities. They proceeded to promote Buddhism to strengthen their own rule, hence reviving the religion in Tibet.

In terms of form and content, however, the rise of Buddhism in Tibet during this period was worlds apart from Tubo Buddhism. The 300-odd years of struggle between Buddhism and the Bon religion resulted in each absorbing the other's strong points. Buddhism became increasingly localized as the region entered the feudal stage, hence allowing Tibetan Buddhism to emerge into a stage of rapid development.

 Tibetan Buddhism Sects

Numerous Buddhist schools emerged after the mid-11th century, including the Nyingma, Sagya, Gagyu, Gadang, Zhigyed, Gyoyul, Gyonang, Kodrag, and Xalhu sects. The latter five were rather weak due to the lack of political support. They were thus forced to unite or were otherwise annexed by other sects, and as individual entities fell into oblivion. The following five sects enjoyed impressive popularity:

1. Nyingma Sect

The sect, founded in the 11th century, is also known as the Red Sect and is the oldest sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The sect paid great attention to absorbing the fine points of the Bon religion and, at the same time, did its best to locate Buddhist sutras secreted away when Darma began to suppress Buddhism.

Based on its practice of Buddhism deeply rooted in the Tubo Kingdom of the 8th century, the sect called itself Nyingma, meaning "ancient and old" in the Tibetan language. Monks of the Nyingma Sect wore red hats, hence the name Red Sect. The Red Sect mainly advocates the study of Tantrism. Its theory was strongly influenced by Han Buddhism, and is quite similar with the theory of Zen Buddhism in China's hinterland.

2. Sagya Sect

Sagya means "white land'' in Tibetan. The Sagya Sect, founded in the late 11th century, derived its name from the grayish white color of the Sagya Monastery, the sect's most important monastery. Enclosures in the sect's monasteries are painted with red, white, and black stripes, which respectively symbolize the Wisdom Buddha, the Goddess of Mercy, and the Diamond Hand Buddha. Hence, the sect is also known as the "Stripe Sect." The ever increasing influence of the sect and the expansion of feudal forces throughout its formation led to the increasing fame of the "Five Sagya Sect Forefathers.''

In 1247, a ruler of the later Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) summoned the Fourth Forefather of the Sagya Sect, Sapan Gonggar Gyaincain, to Liangzhou in Northwest China's Gansu province. As a result, Sapan brought various feudal forces in Tibet under Yuan control.

Following the death of Sapan, Phags-pa, the Fifth Forefather of the Sagya Sect, emerged as a high-ranking official in the Yuan court. He was granted honorary titles such as "State Tutor," ''Imperial Tutor,'' and ''Great Treasure Prince of Dharma.'' Thereafter, the Sagya Sect emerged as the Yuan Dynasty representative in Tibet.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Gonggar Zhaxi, an eminent monk with the Sagya Sect, journeyed to Nanjing, capital of the Ming Dynasty, to pay homage to Emperor Yong Le. Therefore, Gonggar was granted an honorary title as the "Mahayana Prince of Dharma,'' one of the three Princes of Dharma.

3. Gagyu Sect

The Gagyu Sect, founded in the 11th century, stresses the study of Tantrism and advocates that Tantrist tenets be passed down orally from one generation to another. Hence the name Gagyu, which in Tibetan means "passing down orally.'' Marba and Milha Riba, the founders of the Gagyu Sect, wore white monk robes when practicing Buddhism, hence the name White Sect.

In the early years, the White Sect was divided into the Xangba Gagyu, which declined in the 14th and to 15th centuries, and the Tabo Gagyu. The Tabo Gagyu was powerful and its branch sects were either in power in their respective localities or otherwise dominant among feudal forces.

 
 
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