Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.37

v1.c7.37

The first temple, the Sangye Temple, was erected in the Tibetan area, with paintings and drawings modeled after the Feixing Temple (Odantapuri) in India. The Tibetan King also invited a disciple of Jingming, master Padmasambhava. Through the actions of Padmasambhava, Buddhism in the Tibetan area developed further. Twelve *bhikṣus*, who followed the *vinaya* of the Sarvāstivāda school, were invited to Tibet from India. They influenced Tibetans on a large scale, letting them go forth and receive the precepts. Groups of monks began to be established in the Tibetan territory. The seven Tibetans who were first to receive the precepts were called "seven enlightened persons." At the same time, the Tibetan King also sent sons of the nobility and other people to India to study and get training as talented translators. The Indian monks Vimalamitra, Buddhaguhya and others actively spread the Buddhist teachings in Tibet. The Esoteric School of Buddhism thus began to spread. But following the death of Chisong Dezan and his son, Xide Zudun, ministers who did not believe in Buddhism took control of the government. In 841 CE, Tibetan King Lang Damo began to persecute Buddhists. Tibetan Buddhism then entered a period of decline. In history, this is recognised as the period of the first propagation of Tibetan Buddhism.