Lamaism Three main orders or institutions of Lamaism are common to Buddhism. They are the Buddha, the Dharma or the teaching order, and the Sangha or lamas (bhikshus).

The Buddhist Lama strikes the gong during rituals. Credit: Discover India

Sangha is the basic social and religious institution in all Buddhist societies. Lamas are the monks or bhikshus under this institution and this is known as Lamaism. The Lamas live in monasteries and have to live as celibates. They have to observe strict discipline, designed to produce a band of exemplars and teachers of pure life, selfless, earnest and tireless in their dedication to their noble mission.

This institution flourished in Tibet till the establishment of Chinese rule. After that, the decline began. However, it continues to flourish in Ladakh under democracy. In Ladakh and Tibet, this system belongs to the Mahayana branch of Buddhism and the Madhyamika school of philosophy.

There are two main Lama sects in Ladakh:

	the yellow-capped sect which abstains from non-vegetarian food and alcohol.
	the red-capped sect which is less rigid than the yellow-capped sect.