Vajrayana

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A vajra and bell, which are classic ritual symbols of Vajrayāna

Vajrayana. Literally, "vajra vehicle". One of multiple names for the practice of tantra within the Mahayana tradition, along with mantrayana, tantrayana, etc.

In Tibetan Buddhism in particular, Vajrayana is a common name for the forms of tantra practiced within this tradition.

Generally, the Vajrayana builds on the foundation of the Mahayana tradition. Rupert Gethin states that Vajrayana is “a particular approach to the practice of the Buddhist path occurring within the general Mahāyāna philosophical framework…”[1] Thus, the Vajrayana path includes all the aspects of the Mahayana theory and practice, such as the development of boundless love and compassion, and developing direct insight into the nature of reality. But the Vajrayana path also includes additional “skillful means” (upaya) to enable a practitioner to reach enlightenment more quickly.

One key difference between these two paths is that whereas the Mahayana path emphasizes transcending samsara in order to reach the state of nirvana, the Vajrayana path gives “special emphasis to the idea of the equivalence of nirvana and samsara.”[1] In practice, this means that whereas in the Mahayana tradition one works skillfully to rid oneself of negative emotions such as anger, desire, and so on, in the Vajrayana tradition, a practitioner is encouraged to view negative emotions as a form of energy that can be directly transformed into wisdom.[2]

The texts of the Vajrayana have been translated from Sanskrit into Tibetan and Chinese, and from Chinese into Korean and Japanese.

Vajrayana practice remains as the dominant form of practice within the Tibetan tradition. In addition:

  • While Vajrayana practice had reportedly died out in China, today many teachers from the Tibetan tradition teach Vajrayana practice methods in China.
  • In Japan, there are small sects of Vajrayana practitioners remaining from the original transmission. There are also some Tibetan teachers teaching in Japan.
  • In the Western countries today, there are also many dharma centers following the Tibetan tradition.
  • The Newar Buddhist tradition of Nepal practices a unique Vajrayana tradition. This is the only tradition that still relies Sanskrit texts for is practice rituals and doctrines.

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gethin 1998, p. 268.
  2. ↑ Keown 2000, chapt. 6.

Sources

  • Book icoline.svg Gethin, Rupert (1998), Foundations of Buddhism, Oxford University Press 
  • Keown, Damien (20000, Contemporary Buddhist Ethics, Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.

Further reading

Introductory texts:

  • Kyabgon, Traleg (2020). Vajrayana: An Essential Guide to Practice. Shogam Publications. 
  • Tashi Tsering, Geshe (2012), Vajrayana, The Foundation of Buddhist Thought, Vol 6, Wisdom Publications 

Traditional texts:

  • Kongtrul, Jamgon; Guarisco, Elio; McLeod, Ingrid (2004). Systems of Buddhist Tantra:The Indestructible Way of Secret Mantra. The Treasury of Knowledge (book 6 part 4). Ithaca: Snow Lion. ISBN 9781559392105. 
  • Kongtrul, Jamgon; Guarisco, Elio; McLeod, Ingrid (2008). The Elements of Tantric Practice:A General Exposition of the Process of Meditation in the Indestructible Way of Secret Mantra. The Treasury of Knowledge (book 8 part 3). Ithaca: Snow Lion. ISBN 9781559393058. 
  • Kongtrul, Jamgon; Barron, Richard (2010). Journey and Goal: An Analysis of the Spiritual Paths and Levels to be Traversed and the Consummate Fruition state. The Treasury of Knowledge (books 9 & 10). Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion Publications. pp. 159–251, 333–451. ISBN 1-55939-360-2. 
  • Āryadeva's Lamp that Integrates the Practices (Caryāmelāpakapradīpa): The Gradual Path of Vajrayāna Buddhism according to the Esoteric Community Noble Tradition, ed. and trans by Christian K. Wedemeyer (New York: AIBS/Columbia Univ. Press, 2007). ISBN 978-0-9753734-5-3

External links

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