RELI 200/EAST 251

RELI 200/EAST 251 Questions Lopez, “Religions of Tibet in Practice,” pp. 123-143 and Strong, “Tantric Buddhism, or the Vajrayana,” pp. 193-209: 1.    What is the role of the teacher (guru or lama) in tantric practice?  Why does this tradition place emphasis on initiation and secret transmission? Strong, “The Tibetan Cultural Area,” pp. 274-286: 1.    In this same story, do you think the monks of Sera monastery were justified in their violent reprisals, given that they believed the regent to be innocent?  What does this response tell you about the nature of the Tibetan monastic institution of the time?