A tapestry of rich teachings and rituals weaves together the four main strands of Tibetan Buddhism, each with its own flavor and emphasis:

Gelug
• Emphasis: Scholastic rigor and monastic discipline, nicknamed the “Yellow Hat” school.
• Doctrine: Staunch focus on the gradual path (Lamrim) and Madhyamaka philosophy. Logic debates still light up monasteries in India and Nepal much like fireworks during Losar (Tibetan New Year).
• Practice: Systematic study of Vinaya (monastic code), along with tantric systems like Guhyasamaja. Dalai Lama’s global outreach—think climate summits and peace talks—is a living example of its blend of scholarship and activism.

Kagyu
• Emphasis: Direct experience of mind’s nature, often called the “Oral Transmission” lineage.
• Doctrine: Mahāmudrā teachings, pointing directly to the mind’s luminous clarity.
• Practice: Intense meditation retreats—some lasting three years—where yogic exercises and devotion to a guru sit side by side. The Karmapa’s recent peace pilgrimage through Europe highlights this school’s commitment to heartfelt compassion in action.

Nyingma
• Emphasis: The “Old School,” tracing back to Padmasambhava in the 8th century.
• Doctrine: Dzogchen (Great Perfection), seeing all phenomena as the play of primordial awareness.
• Practice: A colorful ritual life—long-life ceremonies, treasure teachings (terma)—and a relaxed attitude toward monastic versus lay practice. In 2024, a big Dzogchen gathering in Kathmandu showcased how these ancient methods stay vibrantly alive.

Sakya
• Emphasis: Scholasticism mingled with tantric practices, known for its distinctive Lamdré (Path and Fruit) teachings.
• Doctrine: A balanced approach to sutra and tantra, often spotlighting Hevajra and Vajrayogini practices.
• Practice: Intellectual depth—textual commentaries that thread the needle between philosophy and ritual. The enthronement of the new Sakya Trizin last year reaffirmed a living line of transmission, blending tradition with modern outreach.

Each school is like a different spice in the Tibetan Buddhist kitchen: some add a hearty dose of philosophy, others a bold zing of meditation, yet all cook up the same nourishing path toward awakening.