Are the different schools of Tibetan Buddhism in conflict with each other?

I wonder because I attended a seminar held by the Dalai Lama a couple years ago and there were Buddhist monk protesters there. I would like to one day learn more about Buddhism and visit different centers, I'm curious what the atmosphere is between various sects. Please excuse any ignorance, I wasn't quite sure of the right way to ask this question.|||There are four main schools within the Vajrayana, or Tibetan Buddhist, tradition. These schools (Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug) generally work together harmoniously, although each school takes a particular approach to the cultivation of wisdom and compassion.





As with any spiritual tradition, Tibetan Buddhism has a small fringe of cult-like groups. One of these groups, known as the New Kadampa Tradition, has engaged in an ongoing series of public conflicts with the Dalai Lama. It's highly likely that the protesters you encountered came from this group.





Cultists invariably reveal themselves through certain repetitive behaviors. They insist on a unique perspective - a kind of fundamentalist approach. They engage in argument and disagreement, solely to bolster their own belief system. And they disparage anyone who suggests an expansive view of life - a kind of paranoid view of the world. You'll find cultists everywhere, even here on Yahoo Answers, but genuine Buddhism has no place for cultists.





The Tibetan Buddhist tradition is a source of great wisdom and profound understanding of the human mind. Of course, this could be said of any authentic Buddhist tradition. The most important thing is to encounter a keen-eyed teacher in an authentic tradition.





Best wishes on your path!|||I think P'ang has answered your question well.


The 4 schools mentioned appear to study the suttas from different perspectives,and debate them openly with each other.


This however is not conflict between these schools and my understanding is that each school at some time studies the other schools ways of looking at the suttas.


I must add that I am not a Mahayanist buddhist and if I am not correct on any thing that I have written here I would be more than happy to hear from anyone who is who can put me straight.


With metta|||Historically, vicious and murderous. The previous two Dalai Lamas we assassinated before they reached adolescence.





They're only human, just like the rest of us.





Nowadays, Western Buddhism has borrowed religious freedoms from the West and is forced to be far more tolerant. In addition, many Western Buddhists are far more scrupulous in following Buddhist teachings around peace and tolerance.