Bon facts for kids

The yungdrung, or left-facing swastika, is a sacred symbol in Bon

Bon, also spelled Bön, is an ancient religion from Tibet. The Bon religion we know today began around the years 900 to 1000 CE. This was when the first Bon monasteries were built in Tibet.

Many Bon teachings are similar to those found in Tibetan Buddhism. Because of this, people who study Bon sometimes wonder if it should be called a type of Buddhism. Followers of Bon believe their religion was started by a teacher named Tonpa Shenrab. He lived a very long time ago in a place called Tazig. Some people think Tazig might have been Persia, Central Asia, or near Mount Kailash in western Tibet.

Tibetans traditionally believe that Bon was popular in Tibet before Buddhism became the main religion. However, some non-Tibetan scholars, like Per Kvœrne, say there isn't much proof connecting old Tibetan religions to today's Bon.

After the Chinese army came to Tibet in 1959, many Bon followers had to leave. Many Bon monasteries and temples were also closed. Bon followers who left Tibet started new Bon centers in cities around the world. Today, most people who believe in Bon are ethnic Tibetans. But a small number of non-Tibetans have also started to follow Bon.

Understanding Bon's Sacred Symbols

The yungdrung is a special symbol in Bon. It looks like a left-facing swastika. The Bon religion is sometimes called Yungdrung Bon. This means "eternal Bon" in Tibetan. The yungdrung represents eternity, just like the vajra in Tibetan Buddhism. It is believed that the yungdrung cannot be destroyed and lasts forever.

How Bon and Buddhism Relate

In the past, Tibetan Buddhists sometimes wrote negative things about Bon. They claimed that Bon had copied most of its teachings from Buddhism. Some European and North American scholars studying Bon also agreed with this idea.

However, the fourteenth Dalai Lama has a different view. He is a very important religious leader for most Tibetans. He said that Bon is just as much a part of Tibetan religion as Buddhism. He encouraged people to treat Bon with respect.

Who Are Bonpos and Their Gods?

People who follow the Bon religion are called Bonpos. Bonpos believe in many gods. These gods include:

• The creator god, Sangpo Bumtri.
• The god of kindness, Shenlha Ökar.
• The goddess of kindness, Sherab Chamma.
• The founder of Bon, Tonpa Shenrab.

Images for kids

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  A statue of Tonpa Shenrab, the central Buddha in Yungdrug Bon

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  Tonpa Shenrab life story, 19th-century painting, Rubin Museum of Art

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  Tapihritsa, a Bon siddha from Zhangzhung.

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  A manuscript containing a Buddhist criticism of an ancient Bon funeral ritual.

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  The Bon terton (treasure discoverer) Shenchen Luga (11th century), a key figure of the renaissance period.

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  Sanggye Lingpa (1705-1735), Tibet, 19th century, Rubin Museum of Art

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  Menri Monastery, India

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  Yungdrung Bon Lamas

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  14th Dalai Lama and Tenzin Namdak in 1978

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  The Bon monastery of Nangzhik Gompa at Ngawa Town, in Sichuan.

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  Lopön Tenzin Namdak, abbot of a Bon monastery in Nepal and a well known teacher of Bonpo Dzogchen

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  A thangka depicting the lineage lamas of the Aural Tradition of Zhangzhung.

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  Kunzang Akor, Central Tibet, 16th century.

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  Trowo Tsochog Khagying

See also

In Spanish: Bön para niños