Religious tensions in the early phyi dar period: monastic or tantric?

ENThe article examines the religious landscape of Tibet during the early phyi dar period (11th-12th centuries), focusing on the tensions between the monastic and tantric strands of Buddhism. It argues that this period saw a resurgence of the monastic tradition, which had declined during the preceding “dark period”, and a reaction against the proliferation of tantric practices. The article is divided into two main sections. The first section discusses the instrumental figures in the revival of Buddhism during this period. The second section examines the debates surrounding Buddhist orthodoxy during this period. The analysis suggests that the early phyi dar period was characterized by a complex interplay between the monastic and tantric strands of Buddhism, with the monastic strand seeking to reassert itself against the perceived excesses of the tantric tradition. However, the tantric strand was able to defend its legitimacy and eventually find a place within Tibetan Buddhism. Keywords: Tibetan Buddhism, phyi dar, monasticism, tantra, authenticity.