| Revision as of 19:35, 16 March 2003 editStarquake (talk | contribs)52 editsm added six tantras← Previous edit | Revision as of 19:46, 16 March 2003 edit undoStarquake (talk | contribs)52 editsNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
| Anuyoga | Anuyoga | ||
| Atiyoga ] ] ] | Atiyoga - ] - ] - ] | ||
| The practice of Atiyoga is divided into three classes: Mental (SemDe), Spatial (LongDe), and Esoteric Instructional | The practice of Atiyoga is divided into three classes: Mental (SemDe), Spatial (LongDe), and Esoteric Instructional | ||
| (MenNgagDe). | (MenNgagDe). | ||
Revision as of 19:46, 16 March 2003
'The Diamond Vehicle' or 'The Adamantine Vehicle', Vajrayana consists of a collection of techniques for the practice of Mahayana Buddhism, along with the texts that expound those techniques (the Buddhist Tantras).
Vajrayana is one name for the form of Buddhism currently associated with Tibet.
- The techniques are characterized by:
- The use of mantras, or short verbal formulae
- Strong focus on the guru, or teacher
- A highly-developed tradition of meditation, including concentration techniques such as the visualization of bodhisattvas.
Practitioners are introduced to a collection of Vajrayana practices through a series of initiations. These can be divided into six categories:
Three Outer Tantras:
Kriyayoga
Charyayoga
Yogatantra
Three Inner Tantras:
Mahayoga
Anuyoga
Atiyoga - Dzogchen - Cha'an - Bön The practice of Atiyoga is divided into three classes: Mental (SemDe), Spatial (LongDe), and Esoteric Instructional (MenNgagDe).
Vajrayana developed in Northern India from about 600CE (hard to say exactly when), based on the Madhyamika teachings of Nagarjuna, Asanga, Vasubhandu, Chandrakirti, Padmasambhava and other, later masters and scholars.