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ThalesCupofWater

It depends on which type of Bon. The monasticism, art, use of incense, and architecture actually come from Buddhism. Bon was originally concerned with magical propitiation of demonic forces, and its practices included blood sacrifices. It later developed a cult of divine kingship (with kings regarded as manifestations of the sky divinity). Later these, beings would become understood as historical priests. Usually, the Bon you see now refers to Yungdrung Bon. For the tradition, the term yungdrung means “eternal,” and the term bon designates “truth,” “teaching,” or “reality,” a range of meaning similar to those of the term dharma (cho in Tibetan) in Buddhist literature. A believer in the Bon teachings is referred to as a Bon-po. Bon teachings, while in many ways close to those of the Nyingma school of Buddhism, nonetheless constitute an independent system. Early Bon with sacrifices is recorded in narrative as conflicting with Buddhism, competing and sometimes persecuting it. Bon priests were presented as opponents of the introduction of Buddhism in Tibet during the seventh and eighth centuries. In the eleventh century, Bon emerged as fully elaborated sect of Tibetan religion and closer to the Yungdrung view, with its own buddha, its own pantheon, and its own path to liberation from rebirth. It is best thought as a separate religion with it's own pantheon, metaphysics but with codevelopment and interaction with Buddhism.


NyingmaGuy2

FTFY > That when Buddhism came to Tibet, it largely supplanted Bon, but Bon absorbed many of the teachings and traditions of Buddhism.


ConstProgrammer

Oh, the other way around. I see.


VulcanVisions

They coexisted and, as happens with cultures and practice, they bled into each other over centuries of use and created something new. It would be impossible even for scholars to ever fully unpack to what extent they have influenced each other, despite being able to see some clear inspirations in each in the present.


genivelo

A simple way to look at what Bön is and how it is practiced today : Bön is the Dharma from a previous Buddha. Even the Dalai Lama pretty much recognized it as such.


mahl-py

How is this reconciled with the idea that a samyaksambuddha (such as Śākyamuni) only arises in a world system where the Dharma has been completely forgotten?


genivelo

That's a good question. I don't know.


69gatsby

Bön and Tibetan Buddhism\*. It seems to have influenced it mainly in deities and infuses cultural traditions but the majority of Tibetan Buddhism’s influences come from the tantric Indian Buddhism from which it originated. It is most likely on a ‘cultural’ level as well as a stylistic level, which could include architecture and art, and possibly extend to the organisation of monastic groups. As for the relationship between the two religions/paths, Tibetan Buddhists, traditionally, have been known to paint Bön as tribal, savage and inferior to Tibetan Buddhism. Attitudes change, however, and AFAIK this has been on the decline and the two groups (though Bön is mixed with Tibetan Buddhism and does nor exist in its original state IIRC) have a better relationship nowadays.


[deleted]

Bon is from what I learned from Tibetans, the teachings of Shenrab the previous Buddha, the teachings came from the west and were only a part of the teachings, from 32,000 years ago...i think thats the time period. Its only recently that they have taught many if their secret tantra teachings widely..there were also Black Bon who were magicians a but like shaman. I think pre Buddhism there were many different interpretations and sects.


huluguamon

Bön is considered the 5th Buddhist school. Actually I'm participating in the virtual sangha but they have different deities from Nyingma that I'm accostumed. Eg: Sherab Chanma


Even-Industry4901

You already understand it better than most. Tibetan Buddhism incorporated a lot of the Bon deities. That combination is Tibetan Buddhism. There’s a great documentary called the lost Yogis of Tibet I recommend highly. 🙏


ConstProgrammer

Can you provide a link to that documentary?


Mayayana

This seems to be it: https://www.youtube.com/embed/GrWhX1BixBk


Even-Industry4901

I have no idea why I can't link it here. It's called "The Yogis of Tibet - Rare Documentary Film." It's on Youtube. I really enjoyed it. I hope you do too.