The Vinaya of the Bon Tradition

Historically, the monastic life of the Bon tradition of Tibet has developed side by side with that of the Tibetan Buddhists. However, the monastic code of the Bonpos is not identical with the Buddhist one. It consists of 250 rules for monks (pho khrims) and 360 rules for nuns (mo khrims) as well as shorter sets of rules for the temporary ordination of lay people, and for novices. It uses its own terminology and has its own legendary and historical transmission lineages. This article gives a brief preliminary survey of the Bon Vinaya and its literature as an important component of the Vinaya traditions of Asia.