I think it is important that we know something of the history of Black Sect Tantric Buddhism. Here is a simple primer.

Buddhism originated in India and was divided into two types of practice.

The first type was Exoteric Buddhism, and the teachings were shared publicly.

• Zen, Pure Land, T’ien Tai, and others

The second type was Esoteric Buddhism, and the teachings were not publicly taught. The transmission was from teacher to student on a very personal basis. Translated from Chinese, the name of this category is “True Words Sect.” Literally, the translation means “mantra chanting practice.”

• Tantric Buddhism

Buddhism entered into Tibet and was incorporated into the native religion of Tibet—Bon. Again, the practice was divided into two types.

The first type was Pure Esoteric or Orthodox (or mainstream Tantric Buddhism)

• The Red Sect—Nyima 
• The Yellow Sect—Gelug
• The White Sect—Kagyu
• The Mixed Color—Sakya

The second type was Bon (or Black Sect)

• The indigenous religion of Tibet, and not a pure Esoteric practice (but a mixture, or a “hybrid” Tantric Buddhism)

Buddhism entered into China and, once again, practices were divided.

The first type was the pure Esoteric practices that maintained the purity of the Tantric lineages.

• Nyima, Gelug, Kagyu, and Sakya

The second type was Black Sect (a mixed Esoteric practice including elements of mainstream Buddhism, Chinese cultural and folkloric traditions, holistic healing, Feng Shui, Confucianism, Taoism, and others)

• Professor Lin called this school a “greater mixture” in both China and Tibet.

It is also important, now, to understand the Five Stages of Black Sect Buddhism set against the historical background outlined above.

First Stage:

• Bon (Black Sect)
• This was the religion of the entire nation of Tibet.

Second Stage:

• Buddhism emerged in Tibet from India and combined with Bon.

Third Stage:

• The combination of Bon and Buddhism from India merged with Chinese culture. The Third Stage combined the Second Stage with Chinese folklore, holistic healing, Confucianism, Taoism, Yin Yang Theory, Feng Shui, chi, the I Ching, and others.

Fourth Stage:

• The Fourth Stage was influenced by modern science and knowledge (psychology, archeology, genetics, biology, medicine, ecology, environmental safety, architecture, etc.).
  [1]
• The movement was from Taiwan to Berkeley to Europe.
• The Fourth Stage has now been “successfully completed” as announced by its leader, His Holiness Grandmaster Professor Lin Yun.

Fifth Stage:

• The Fifth Stage has begun under the guidance of Her Holiness Crystal Chu (Khadro Crystal Chu Rinpoche).

Notes from Professor:

Even though we have reached the Fifth Stage of Black Sect Buddhism, the First Stage (the original Bon) is still practiced in Tibet. His Holiness Khenpo Lungtok Tenpa’i Nyima (thirty-third abbot of Menri and spiritual head of all Bonpos) also stated that the First Stage has always been practiced in Tibet. This practice never integrated with Buddhism.

Professor once asked Lungtok Tenpa’i Nyima what he thought of the integration of practices in our Fourth Stage, especially since the abbot’s practice is pure Bon and rooted in ancient tradition. His answer was very gracious.

• Since the highest deity of Black Sect is Lord Tonpa, the same as the highest deity of the Bon religion, Lungtok Nyima said he recognizes us as family. In addition, this Bon abbot enthroned Professor (a mainstream Chinese abbot) as the leader of the Fourth Stage.

[1] This list also includes Eclecticism, spirituality, divination, fortune telling, secret cures, Exoteric Buddhism, meditations, Five Element theory, physiognomy, and others.

Note from Katherine:

I had the pleasure of meeting H. H. Khenpo Lungtok Tenpa’i Nyima several times. Sitting beside him and Professor at dinner and learning mudras from them both at breakfast were moments I will never forget. The room was filled with clarity, power, and compassion – and a sense of delight created by the friendship between two extraordinary gentlemen.