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Four Denominations of Tibetan Buddhism

With the development of Tibetan Buddhism, it had been divided into many denominations in the past, more than eight. However, at present some of the sects only exist in the form of the theory, but no longer as a sect entity in Tibet Autonomous Region.

Nowadays, there are four big sects of Tibetan Buddhism accepted by the academic community. Gelugpa (Yellow Sect), Nyingmapa (Red Sect), Kagyupa (White Sect), and Sakyapa (Variegated Sect).

Gelugpa is the youngest but largest sect of Tibetan Buddhism. People also call it the Yellow Sect due to the hat they wear is yellow color. The founder of Gelugpa is Tsongkhapa, a great master. The discipline of Gelugpa is very strict. Followers could not get married, could not eat meat, could not drink alcoholic beverages. Most of the famous monasteries in Tibet admire Gelugpa, such as Ganden Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery in Lhasa, and Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse.

Nyingmapa called as “Red Sect” as well, is the oldest and used to be the largest sect of Tibetan Buddhism. “The second Buddha” --- Padma Sambhava, had founded Nyingmapa in A.D. 11th. Century. After that, Longchenpa, one of the Nyingmapa leader had revised the discipline a little bit in the 14th. Century. The devotees could get married.

Kagyupa, the White Sect, as well as the third largest sect of Tibetan Buddhism, focuses on the practice of inner peace. So, people give it another name, “the Tibetan Zen”.

Sakyapa, the last one, was named because of the Sakya Monastery, of which the wall was painted into Red, White, and Cyan. Thus, people popularly call it Variegated Sect.