The Tibetan Wheel of Life According to Wikipedia

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In the narrative surrounding Buddhism's Wheel of Rebirth and Death, also known as the wheel of life or bhavacakra in Sanskrit or bardo 'samsaric cycle' in Tibetan, we find reference to a kingdom ruled by King Manjuśrīkīrti. This ruler is said to have been born around 159 BC during the reign of Emperor Ming (or Wu) of Han and was responsible for governing over an estimated population of 300,510 followers of the Mlechha religion.

According to legend, a portion of these individuals worshiped the Sun as their chief deity, engaging in practices that would later be categorized under Surya Samadhi or solar worship. However, instead of tolerating such beliefs within his kingdom's borders, King Manjuśrīkirti chose an alternative course of action.

According to historical accounts preserved in Buddhist texts and oral traditions passed down through generations, the king is said to have expelled approximately 20,000 individuals from his domain who refused to renounce their allegiance to solar worship. This mass exodus was reportedly necessitated by a desire among these expatriates to maintain their adherence to practices that were deemed antithetical to those of Buddhism's Wheel of Time (Kalachakra) sect.

The expulsion served as part of an broader campaign aimed at converting the remaining populace within his kingdom's boundaries to follow the tenets and teachings of Kalachakra, thereby aligning them with Buddhist doctrine. This process was seen by adherents as essential for ensuring their eventual rebirth into a higher plane of existence following what is believed in Tibetan Buddhism to be multiple cycles of birth, death, and rebirth.

The narrative surrounding King Manjuśrirti's reign also references the concept of Shambhala - an esoteric realm that is said to exist parallel to our own physical world. According to legend, this mystical land was ruled over by none other than the future Buddha Maitreya himself.

In Tibetan Buddhism, the Kalachakra tantra forms part of a larger canon known as Anuttarayoga Tantras or 'unexcelled wheel-vehicles'. This particular text is believed to contain within it teachings and insights that are considered to be beyond those attainable through more mundane means. Its introduction into Tibet during what would later become known as the 11th century CE marked a significant turning point in Tibetan Buddhist history.

The transmission of Kalachakra Buddhism from India into Tibet can be traced back primarily two key figures: Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen (died 1361) and Buton Rinchen Drub (died 1364). Both these individuals played an instrumental role in popularizing the teachings contained within this esoteric tradition, thereby ensuring its continued relevance and influence well beyond their own lifetimes.

References:

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* 'Kalachakra' at The Columbia Encyclopedia Sixth Edition. . Retrieved .

* Tibetan Buddhist Dictionary (Tibetan: བོན-po lha'i rgyud-'bum 'jug-'brel rinpo-che bstan-pa'i rig-mang ma-rig-grub grub-skyid grol-bu nor-chen chosgrags dpakpa rinpoche) (in Tibetan). 2009. pp. . ISBN .

* 'Wheel of Life' at The Encyclopedia of Buddhism Volume I: A-L. Edited by Robert Van Meteren, William Malm & Edwardes, James Augustus. Routledge. 2013. p. .

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Tibetan wheel of life wikipedia