Vajrayana

Vajray%C4%81na+Buddhism+%28Devanagari%3A+%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%3B+Tibetan%3A+%E0%BD%A2%E0%BE%A1%E0%BD%BC%E0%BC%8B%E0%BD%A2%E0%BE%97%E0%BD%BA%E0%BC%8B%E0%BD%90%E0%BD%BA%E0%BD%82%E0%BC%8B%E0%BD%94%E0%BC%8B%2C+rdo+rje+theg+pa%3B+Mongolian%3A+%D0%9E%D1%87%D0%B8%D1%80%D1%82+%D1%85%D3%A9%D0%BB%D0%B3%D3%A9%D0%BD%2C+Ochirt+H%C3%B6lg%C3%B6n%29+is+also+known+as+Tantric+Buddhism%2C+Tantray%C4%81na%2C+Mantray%C4%81na%2C+Secret+Mantra%2C+Esoteric+Buddhism+and+the+Diamond+Vehicle.+Vajrayana+is+a+complex+and+multifaceted+system+of+Buddhist+thought+and+practice+which+evolved+over+several+centuries.%5B1%5D+Its+main+scriptures+are+called+Tantras.%5B1%5D+A+distinctive+feature+of+Vajrayana+Buddhism+is+ritual%2C+which+are+Skillful+Means+%28Upaya%29%2C+which+is+used+as+a+substitute+or+alternative+for+the+earlier+abstract+meditations.%5B2%5D%5B3%5D%0D%0AThe+period+of+Indian+Vajrayana+Buddhism+has+been+classified+as+the+fifth%5B4%5D+or+final%5B1%5D+period+of+Indian+Buddhism.+Although+the+first+tantric+Buddhist+texts+appeared+in+India+in+the+3rd+century+and+continued+to+appear+until+the+12th+century%2C%5B5%5D+scholars+such+as+Hirakawa+Akira+believe+that+the+Vajrayana+probably+came+into+existence+in+the+6th+or+7th+century%2C%5B4%5D+while+the+term+Vajrayana+first+came+into+evidence+in+the+8th+century.%5B1%5D%0D%0AAccording+to+Vajrayana+scriptures+Vajrayana+refers+to+one+of+three+vehicles+or+routes+to+enlightenment%2C+the+other+two+being+the+Hinayana+%28not+to+be+confused+with+Theravada%29+and+Mahayana.%0D%0AContents++%5Bhide%5D+%0D%0A1+Terminology%0D%0A1.1+The+Vajra%0D%0A1.2+Tantric+Buddhism%0D%0A2+Academic+study+difficulties%0D%0A3+Classifying+Vajrayana%0D%0A3.1+Vajrayana+as+an+ex+post+facto+classification%0D%0A3.2+Vajrayana+as+a+newly+composed+teaching%0D%0A3.3+Vajrayana+as+evolved+from+the+local+conditions+of+Medieval+India%0D%0A3.4+Classification+based+on+Vajrayana+scriptures+and+commentaries%0D%0A3.4.1+Vajrayana+as+a+subset+of+Mahayana+Buddhism%0D%0A3.4.2+Vajrayana+as+fruitional+vehicle%0D%0A3.4.3+Vajrayana+as+an+esoteric+discipline%0D%0A4+Vajrayana+textual+tradition%0D%0A4.1+Dunhuang%3A+Tibetan+tantric+documents+recovered+from+the+Mogao+Caves%0D%0A5+Key+features+of+Vajrayana%0D%0A5.1+Ritual%0D%0A5.2+Goal+and+motivation%0D%0A5.3+Upaya%0D%0A5.4+Two+Truths+Doctrine%0D%0A5.5+Vows+and+behaviour%0D%0A5.6+Esoteric+transmission%0D%0A6+Sub-schools%0D%0A6.1+Tibetan+Buddhism%0D%0A6.2+Chinese+Esoteric+Buddhism%0D%0A6.3+Shingon+Buddhism%0D%0A6.4+Tendai+Buddhism%0D%0A6.5+Shugend%C5%8D%0D%0A6.6+Newar+Buddhism%0D%0A7+Tantra+techniques%0D%0A7.1+Deity+yoga%0D%0A7.2+Four+complete+purities%0D%0A7.3+Guru+yoga%0D%0A7.4+Death+yoga%0D%0A7.5+Generation+and+completion+stage+practice+in+the+annutarayoga+tantras%0D%0A8+Classifications+of+tantra%0D%0A8.1+By+scholars%0D%0A8.2+By+the+New+Translation+Schools%0D%0A8.3+By+the+Ancient+Translation+School%0D%0A9+History+of+Vajrayana%0D%0A9.1+India%0D%0A9.2+Sambalpur%0D%0A9.3+China%0D%0A9.4+Tibet+and+other+Himalayan+kingdoms%0D%0A9.5+Japan%0D%0A9.6+Indonesian+Archipelago%0D%0A9.7+Mongolia%0D%0A10+See+also%0D%0A11+Notes%0D%0A12+Further+reading%0D%0A13+External+links%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DTerminology%0D%0A%0D%0AThe+terminology+associated+with+Vajrayana+Buddhism+can+be+confusing.+Most+of+the+terms+originated+in+the+Sanskrit+language+of+tantric+Indian+Buddhism+and+may+have+passed+through+other+cultures%2C+notably+those+of+Japan+and+Tibet%2C+before+translation+for+the+modern+reader.+Further+complications+arise+as+seemingly+equivalent+terms+can+have+subtle+variations+in+use+and+meaning+according+to+context%2C+the+time+and+place+of+use%3B+and+because+the+Vajrayana+texts+employ+the+tantric+tradition+of+the+twilight+language%2C+a+means+of+instruction+that+is+deliberately+coded.+These+obscure+teaching+methods+relying+on+symbolism+as+well+as+synonym%2C+metaphor+and+word+association+add+to+the+difficulties+faced+by+those+attempting+to+understand+Vajrayana+Buddhism.+Bucknell+%26+Stuart-Fox+%281986%3A+p.vii%29+state%3A%0D%0AIn+the+Vajrayana+tradition%2C+now+preserved+mainly+in+Tibetan+lineages%2C+it+has+long+been+recognized+that+certain+important+teachings+are+expressed+in+a+form+of+secret+symbolic+language+known+as+sa%E1%B9%83dhy%C4%81-bh%C4%81%E1%B9%A3%C4%81%2C+%27Twilight+Language%27.+Mudr%C4%81s+and+mantras%2C+ma%E1%B9%87%E1%B8%8Dalas+and+cakras%2C+those+mysterious+devices+and+diagrams+that+were+so+much+in+vogue+in+the+pseudo-Buddhist+hippie+culture+of+the+1960s%2C+were+all+examples+of+Twilight+Language+%5B...%5D+%5B6%5D%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DThe+Vajra%0D%0AThe+Sanskrit+term+%22vajra%22+denoted+the+thunderbolt%2C+a+legendary+weapon+and+divine+attribute+that+was+made+from+an+adamantine%2C+or+indestructible%2C+substance+and+which+could+therefore+pierce+and+penetrate+any+obstacle+or+obfuscation.+It+is+the+weapon+of+choice+of+Indra%2C+the+King+of+the+Devas+in+Hinduism.+As+a+secondary+meaning%2C+%22vajra%22+refers+to+this+indestructible+substance%2C+and+so+is+sometimes+translated+as+%22adamantine%22+or+%22diamond%22%5Bcitation+needed%5D.+So+the+Vajrayana+is+sometimes+rendered+in+English+as+%22The+Adamantine+Vehicle%22+or+%22The+Diamond+Vehicle%22.%0D%0AA+vajra+is+also+a+scepter-like+ritual+object+%28Tibetan%3A+%E0%BD%A2%E0%BE%A1%E0%BD%BC%E0%BC%8B%E0%BD%A2%E0%BE%97%E0%BD%BA%E0%BC%8B+dorje%29%2C+which+has+a+sphere+%28and+sometimes+a+gankyil%29+at+its+centre%2C+and+a+variable+number+of+spokes%2C+3%2C+5+or+9+at+each+end+%28depending+on+the+sadhana%29%2C+enfolding+either+end+of+the+rod.+The+vajra+is+often+traditionally+employed+in+tantric+rituals+in+combination+with+the+bell+or+ghanta%3B+symbolically%2C+the+vajra+may+represent+method+as+well+as+great+bliss+and+the+bell+stands+for+wisdom%2C+specifically+the+wisdom+realizing+emptiness+or+lack+of+inherent+existence.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DTantric+Buddhism%0D%0AThe+term+Tantric+Buddhism+was+not+one+originally+used+by+those+who+practiced+it.+As+scholar+Isabelle+Onians+explains%3A%0D%0A%E2%80%9CTantric+Buddhism%E2%80%9D+.+.+.+is+not+the+transcription+of+a+native+term%2C+but+a+rather+modern+coinage%2C+if+not+totally+occidental.+For+the+equivalent+Sanskrit+t%C4%81ntrika+is+found%2C+but+not+in+Buddhist+texts.+T%C4%81ntrika+is+a+term+denoting+someone+who+follows+the+teachings+of+scriptures+known+as+Tantras%2C+but+only+in+Saivism%2C+not+Buddhism+%28although+cf.+the+single+known+occurrence+in+a+copper-plate+inscription+from+N%C4%81land%C4%81+made+in+the+name+of+the+Javanese+king+Devap%C4%81la+in+the+ninth+century+AD%3A%2C+t%C4%81ntrikabodhisattvaganasya%3B+SIRCAR+1983%3AII+.37-38%3B+ref.+provided+by+Sanderson%29.+Indeed%2C+Alexis+Sanderson+has+noted+that+it+is+usually+used+of+followers+of+another+tradition%2C+by+proponents+of+the+Trika+of+practitioners+of+the+Bhairava+tantras%2C+for+example%2C+and+thus+with+a+slightly+pejorative+tone%2C+unlike+the+simple+noun+tantra+%28personal+communication%29.+Tantric+Buddhism+is+a+name+for+a+phenomenon+which+calls+itself%2C+in+Sanskrit%2C+Mantranaya%2C+Vajray%C4%81na%2C+Mantray%C4%81na+or+Mantramah%C4%81y%C4%81na+%28and+apparently+never+Tantray%C4%81na%29.+Its+practitioners+are+known+as+mantrins%2C+yogis%2C+or+s%C4%81dhakas.+Thus%2C+our+use+of+the+anglicised+adjective+%E2%80%9CTantric%E2%80%9D+for+the+Buddhist+religion+taught+in+Tantras+is+not+native+to+the+tradition%2C+but+is+a+borrowed+term+which+serves+its+purpose.%5B7%5D%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DAcademic+study+difficulties%0D%0A%0D%0ASerious+Vajrayana+academic+study+in+the+western+world+is+in+early+stages%3B+because%2C+these+problems+make+research+difficult%3A%5B4%5D%0D%0AAlthough+a+large+number+of+Tantric+scriptures+are+extant%2C+they+have+not+been+formally+ordered+or+systematized.%0D%0ABecause+Hinduism+influenced+Vajrayana%2C+further+research+into+Hinduism+is+necessary.%0D%0ARitual+as+well+as+doctrine+need+to+be+investigated.%0D%0ABuddhist+tantric+practice+are+categorized+as+secret+practice%3B+this+is+to+avoid+misinformed+people+from+harmfully+misusing+the+practices.+A+method+to+keep+this+secrecy+is+that+tantric+initiation+is+required+from+a+Master+before+any+instructions+can+be+received+about+the+actual+practice.+During+the+initiation+procedure+in+the+highest+class+of+tantra+%28such+as+the+Kalachakra%29%2C+students+must+take+the+tantric+vows+which+commit+them+to+such+secrecy.%5B8%5D+%22Explaining+general+tantra+theory+in+a+scholarly+manner%2C+not+sufficient+for+practice%2C+is+likewise+not+a+root+downfall.+Nevertheless%2C+it+weakens+the+effectiveness+of+our+tantric+practice.%22+%5B9%5D%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DClassifying+Vajrayana%0D%0A%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DVajrayana+as+an+ex+post+facto+classification%0D%0AAs+Matthew+Kapstein+has+argued%3A%0D%0A%22%5BT%5Dhe+practice+of+%22incantation+and+ritual%2C%22+directed+to+both+ultimate+and+mundane+ends%2C+had+become+normal+Mahayana+practice%2C+and+not+merely+a+popular+cult+shunned+by+the+learned+clergy%2C+prior+to+the+sixth+century%2C+and+probably+as+early+as+the+third.+Over+the+course+of+the+centuries+the+volume+of+ritual+lore+incorporated+into+the+Mahayana+in+this+fashion+increased+without+any+but+general+doctrinal+restriction....It+was+only+after+this+corpus+has+grown+sufficiently+massive+to+take+on+a+life+of+its+own+however%2C+that+conditions+came+to+favor+the+emergence+of+the+mantrayana+and+later+Vajrayana+as+distinct+ways+of+Buddhist+practice....%5BT%5Dhis+development+occurred+within+a+century+or+two+following+Bhavaviveka%27s+day%2C+and+perhaps+had+begun+already+during+his+lifetime.+Once+it+took+place%2C+it+became+possible+to+attempt+an+ex+post+facto+classification+of+the+whole+mass+of+mantric+lore+that+had+accumulated+during+the+preceding+centuries.+Thus%2C+the+so-called+%22outer+tantras%22+had+been+part+and+parcel+of+Mahayana+practice+long+before+anyone+ever+conceived+of+them+as+a+class+apart.%22%5B10%5D%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DVajrayana+as+a+newly+composed+teaching%0D%0AThe+literature+of+Vajrayana+is+absent+from+the+oldest+Buddhist+literature+of+the+Pali+Canon+and+the+Agamas.%0D%0AThe+Vajrayana+tradition+holds+that+its+teachings+were+first+expounded+by+the+Buddha+16+years+after+his+enlightenment.+Historians+have+identified+an+early+stage+of+Mantrayana+beginning+in+the+4th+century%2C+and+argue+that+assigning+the+teachings+to+the+historical+Buddha+is+%22patently+absurd%22.%5B11%5D%0D%0AOnly+from+7th%5B11%5D+or+the+beginning+of+the+8th+century%2C+tantric+techniques+and+approaches+increasingly+dominated+Buddhist+practice+in+India.%5B5%5D%0D%0AThe+first+tantric+%28Vajrayana+Buddhist%29+texts+appeared+in+the+3rd+century%2C+and+continued+to+appear+until+the+12th+century.%5B5%5D%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DVajrayana+as+evolved+from+the+local+conditions+of+Medieval+India%0D%0AAlthough+the+Vajrayana+claims+to+be+as+ancient+and+authentic+as+any+other+Buddhist+school%2C+it+may+have+grown+up+gradually+in+an+environment+with+previously+existing+texts+such+as+the+mahasannipata+and+the+ratnaketudharani.%5B12%5D+The+basic+position+of+Vajrayana+is+still+the+same+as+the+early+Buddhist+position+of+not-self%3A+there+is+nothing+which+is+eternal.%5B13%5D+The+changes+that+took+place+agreed+with+the+changing+society+of+medieval+India%3A+the+presentation+has+changed%2C+the+techniques+of+the+way+to+enlightenment+have+changed%2C+the+outward+appearance+of+Buddhism+came+to+be+dominated+by+ritualism+and+the+array+of+Buddhas+and+Bodhisattvas+and+gods+and+goddesses.%5B14%5D%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DClassification+based+on+Vajrayana+scriptures+and+commentaries%0D%0AThe+tantric+scriptures+and+its+commentaries+provide+three+strategies+to+discuss+the+theoretical+nature+of+Vajrayana+Buddhism%3A%5B1%5D%0D%0AVajrayana+as+a+subset+of+Mahayana+Buddhism%0D%0AVajrayana+as+a+fruitional+or+advanced+vehicle+%28where+Mahayana+is+a+prelude+to+Vajrayana%29%0D%0AVajrayana+as+the+sorcerer%E2%80%99s+discipline+%28vidyadharasamvara%29%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DVajrayana+as+a+subset+of+Mahayana+Buddhism%0D%0AAccording+to+this+schema%2C+Indian+Mahayana+revealed+two+vehicles+%28yana%29+or+methods+for+attaining+enlightenment%3A+the+method+of+the+perfections+%28Paramitayana%29+and+the+method+of+mantra+%28Mantrayana%29.%5B15%5D+The+Paramitayana+consists+of+the+six+or+ten+paramitas%2C+of+which+the+scriptures+say+that+it+takes+three+incalculable+aeons+to+lead+one+to+Buddhahood.+The+tantra+literature%2C+however%2C+claims+that+the+Mantrayana+leads+one+to+Buddhahood+in+one+single+life.%5B15%5D+According+to+the+literature%2C+the+mantra+is+an+easy+path+without+the+difficulties+innate+to+the+Paramitanaya.%5B15%5D+Mantrayana+is+sometimes+portrayed+as+a+method+for+those+of+inferior+abilities.%5B15%5D+However+the+practitioner+of+the+mantra+still+has+to+adhere+to+the+vows+of+the+Bodhisattva.%5B15%5D%0D%0AWhen+viewed+as+a+subset+of+Mahayana%2C+it+is+one+of+two+paths+of+practice%3A+the+Sutrayana+method+of+perfecting+good+qualities+and+the+Vajray%C4%81na+method+of+taking+the+intended+outcome+of+Buddhahood+as+the+path.+Vajrayana+techniques+are+aimed+at+making+it+possible+to+experience+Buddha-nature+prior+to+full+enlightenment.+In+order+to+transmit+these+experiences%2C+a+body+of+esoteric+knowledge+has+been+accumulated+by+Buddhist+tantric+yogis+and+is+passed+via+lineages+of+transmission.+In+order+to+access+this+knowledge%2C+the+practitioner+requires+initiation+from+a+skilled+spiritual+teacher+or+guru.%5B16%5D%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DVajrayana+as+fruitional+vehicle%0D%0AAccording+to+the+Vajrayana+theory%2C+Vajrayana+refers+to+one+of+the+three+routes+to+enlightenment%2C+the+other+two+being+Theravada+and+Mahayana.+According+to+this+view%2C+there+were+three+%22turnings+of+the+wheel+of+dharma%22%3A%5B11%5D%0D%0AIn+the+first+turning+Shakyamuni+Buddha+taught+the+Four+Noble+Truths+at+Varanasi+in+the+5th+century+BC%2C+which+led+to+the+founding+of+Buddhism+and+the+later+early+Buddhist+schools.+Details+of+the+first+turning+are+described+in+the+Dhammacakkapavattana+Sutta.+The+oldest+scriptures+do+not+mention+any+further+turnings+other+than+this+first+turning.%0D%0AThe+Mahayana+tradition+claims+that+there+was+a+second+turning+in+which+the+Perfection+of+Wisdom+sutras+were+taught+at+Vulture%27s+Peak%2C+which+led+to+the+Mahayana+schools.+Generally%2C+scholars+conclude+that+the+Mahayana+scriptures+%28including+the+Perfection+of+Wisdom+Sutras%29+were+composed+from+the+1st+century+CE+onwards.%5B17%5D%0D%0AAccording+to+the+Vajrayana+tradition%2C+there+was+a+third+turning+which+took+place+at+Dhanyakataka+sixteen+years+after+the+Buddha%27s+enlightenment.+Some+scholars+have+strongly+denied+that+Vajrayana+appeared+at+that+time%2C%5B11%5D+and+placed+it+at+a+much+later+time.+The+first+tantric+%28Vajrayana+Buddhist%29+texts+appeared+in+the+3rd+century+CE%2C+and+they+continued+to+appear+until+the+12th+century.%5B18%5D%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DVajrayana+as+an+esoteric+discipline%0D%0AVajrayana+teaches+that+in+order+to+access+esoteric+knowledge%2C+the+practitioner+requires+initiation+from+a+skilled+spiritual+teacher+or+guru.%5B19%5D%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DVajrayana+textual+tradition%0D%0A%0D%0AHarunaga+Isaacson%2C+a+leading+scholar+of+Vajrayana+Buddhism%2C+remarks%3A%0D%0A%22though+we+do+not+know+precisely+at+present+just+how+many+Indian+tantric+Buddhist+texts+survive+today+in+the+language+in+which+they+were+written%2C+their+number+is+certainly+over+one+thousand+five+hundred%3B+I+suspect+indeed+over+two+thousand.+A+large+part+of+this+body+of+texts+has+also+been+translated+into+Tibetan%2C+and+a+smaller+part+into+Chinese.+Aside+from+these%2C+there+are+perhaps+another+two+thousand+or+more+works+that+are+known+today+only+from+such+translations.+We+can+be+certain+as+well+that+many+others+are+lost+to+us+forever%2C+in+whatever+form.+Of+the+texts+that+survive+a+very+small+proportion+has+been+published%3B+an+almost+insignificant+percentage+has+been+edited+or+translated+reliably.%22%5B20%5D%0D%0AIsaacson+notes+that+Vajrayana+texts+exhibit+a+wide+range+of+literary+characteristics%E2%80%94usually+a+mix+of+verse+and+prose%2C+almost+always+in+a+Sanskrit+that+%22transgresses+frequently+against+classical+norms+of+grammar+and+usage%2C%22+although+also+occasionally+in+various+Middle+Indic+dialects+or+elegant+classical+Sanskrit.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DDunhuang%3A+Tibetan+tantric+documents+recovered+from+the+Mogao+Caves%0D%0ADalton+and+Schaik+%282007%2C+revised%29+provide+an+excellent+online+catalogue+listing+350+Tibetan+Tantric+Manuscripts+from+Dunhuang+in+the+Stein+Collection+of+the+British+Library+which+is+currently+fully+accessible+online+in+discrete+digitized+manuscripts%3B+with+the+Wylie+transcription+of+the+manuscripts+to+be+made+discoverable+online+in+future.%5B21%5D+The+350+texts+is+just+a+small+number+compared+to+the+vast+cache+of+the+Dunhuang+manuscripts.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DKey+features+of+Vajrayana%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AA+Buddhist+ceremony+in+Ladakh.%0D%0AThe+distinction+between+traditions+is+not+always+rigid.+For+example%2C+the+tantra+sections+of+the+Tibetan+Buddhist+canon+of+texts+sometimes+include+material+not+usually+thought+of+as+tantric+outside+the+Tibetan+Buddhist+tradition%2C+such+as+the+Heart+Sutra%5B22%5D+and+even+versions+of+some+material+found+in+the+Pali+Canon.%5B23%5D%5B24%5D%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DRitual%0D%0AThe+distinctive+feature+of+Vajrayana+Buddhism+is+ritual%2C+which+is+used+as+a+substitute+or+alternative+for+the+earlier+abstract+meditations.%5B2%5D%5B3%5D+For+Vajrayana+Tibetan+death+rituals%2C+see+phowa.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DGoal+and+motivation%0D%0AThe+goal+of+spiritual+practice+within+the+Mahayana+and+Vajrayana+traditions+is+to+become+a+Buddha+%28i.e.+attain+complete+enlightenment%29%2C+whereas+the+goal+for+Theravada+practice+is+specific+to+become+an+arahant+%28i.e.+attain+the+enlightenment+and+liberation+of+nirvana%29.+As+with+the+Mahayana%2C+motivation+is+a+vital+component+of+Vajrayana+practice%2C+and+Vajrayana+teaches+that+all+practices+are+to+be+undertaken+with+the+motivation+to+achieve+Buddhahood+for+the+benefit+of+all+sentient+beings.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DUpaya%0D%0AThe+Vajrayana+is+based+on+the+concept+of+%22skilful+means%22+%28Sanskrit%3A+upaya%29+as+formulated+in+Mahayana+Buddhism.+It+is+a+system+of+lineages%2C+whereby+those+who+successfully+receive+an+Empowerment+%28Tibetan+Buddhism%29+or+sometimes+called+initiation+%28permission+to+practice%29+are+seen+to+share+in+the+mindstream+of+the+realisation+of+a+particular+skillful+means+of+the+vajra+Master.+In+the+Vajrayana+these+skilful+means+mainly+relate+to+tantric%2C+Mahamudra+or+Dzogchen+practices.+Vajrayana+teaches+that+the+Vajrayana+techniques+provide+an+accelerated+path+to+enlightenment.%5Bcitation+needed%5D%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DTwo+Truths+Doctrine%0D%0AVajrayana+subscribes+to+the+two+truths+doctrine+of+conventional+and+ultimate+truths%2C+which+is+present+in+all+Buddhist+tenet+systems.%5B25%5D%5B26%5D+The+two+truths+doctrine+is+a+central+concept+in+the+Vajrayana+path+of+practice+and+is+the+philosophical+basis+for+its+methods.+The+two+truths+identifies+conventional+a.k.a.+relative%2C+and+absolute+a.k.a.+nirvana.+Conventional+truth+is+the+truth+of+consensus+reality%2C+common-sense+notions+of+what+does+and+does+not+exist.+Ultimate+truth+is+reality+as+viewed+by+an+awakened%2C+or+enlightened+mind.%0D%0AIn+the+Sutrayana+practice%2C+a+path+of+Mahayana%2C+the+%22path+of+the+cause%22+is+taken%2C+whereby+a+practitioner+starts+with+his+or+her+potential+Buddha-nature+and+nurtures+it+to+produce+the+fruit+of+Buddhahood.+In+the+Vajrayana+the+%22path+of+the+fruit%22+is+taken+whereby+the+practitioner+takes+his+or+her+innate+Buddha-nature+as+the+means+of+practice.+The+premise+is+that+since+we+innately+have+an+enlightened+mind%2C+practicing+seeing+the+world+in+terms+of+ultimate+truth+can+help+us+to+attain+our+full+Buddha-nature.%5B27%5D%0D%0AExperiencing+ultimate+truth+is+said+to+be+the+purpose+of+all+the+various+tantric+techniques+practiced+in+the+Vajrayana.+Apart+from+the+advanced+meditation+practices+such+as+Mahamudra+and+Dzogchen%2C+which+aim+to+experience+the+empty+nature+of+the+enlightened+mind+that+can+see+ultimate+truth%2C+all+practices+are+aimed+in+some+way+at+purifying+the+impure+perception+of+the+practitioner+to+allow+ultimate+truth+to+be+seen.+These+may+be+ngondro%2C+or+preliminary+practices%2C+or+the+more+advanced+techniques+of+the+tantric+sadhana.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DVows+and+behaviour%0D%0AMain+article%3A+Samaya%0D%0AIn+general%2C+practitioners+of+the+Vajrayana+need+to+abide+by+various+tantric+vows+or+samaya+of+behaviour.+These+are+extensions+of+the+rules+of+the+Pratimoksha+vows+and+Bodhisattva+vows+for+the+lower+levels+of+tantra%2C+and+are+taken+during+initiations+into+the+empowerment+for+a+particular+Anuttarayoga+tantra.+The+special+tantric+vows+vary+depending+on+the+specific+mandala+practice+for+which+the+initiation+is+received%2C+and+also+depending+on+the+level+of+initiation.%0D%0AA+tantric+guru%2C+or+teacher%2C+is+expected+to+keep+his+or+her+samaya+vows+in+the+same+way+as+his+students.+Proper+conduct+is+considered+especially+necessary+for+a+qualified+Vajrayana+guru.+For+example%2C+the+Ornament+for+the+Essence+of+Manjushrikirti+states%3A%5B28%5D%0D%0ADistance+yourself+from+Vajra+Masters+who+are+not+keeping+the+three+vows%0D%0Awho+keep+on+with+a+root+downfall%2C+who+are+miserly+with+the+Dharma%2C%0D%0Aand+who+engage+in+actions+that+should+be+forsaken.%0D%0AThose+who+worship+them+go+to+hell+and+so+on+as+a+result.%0D%0AThe+Ngagpa+Yogis+from+the+Nyingma+school+keep+a+special+lay+ordination.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DEsoteric+transmission%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AThree+ritual+implements%3A+vajra%2C+bell%2C+and+counting+beads.%0D%0AMain+article%3A+Esoteric+transmission%0D%0AVajrayana+Buddhism+is+esoteric%2C+in+the+sense+that+the+transmission+of+certain+teachings+only+occurs+directly+from+teacher+to+student+during+an+initiation+or+empowerment+and+cannot+be+simply+learned+from+a+book.+Many+techniques+are+also+commonly+said+to+be+secret%2C+but+some+Vajrayana+teachers+have+responded+that+secrecy+itself+is+not+important+and+only+a+side-effect+of+the+reality+that+the+techniques+have+no+validity+outside+the+teacher-student+lineage.%5B29%5D+In+order+to+engage+in+Vajrayana+practice%2C+a+student+should+have+received+such+an+initiation+or+permission.%0D%0AReginald+Ray+writes+that+%22If+these+techniques+are+not+practiced+properly%2C+practitioners+may+harm+themselves+physically+and+mentally.+In+order+to+avoid+these+dangers%2C+the+practice+is+kept+%22secret%22+outside+the+teacher%2Fstudent+relationship.+Secrecy+and+the+commitment+of+the+student+to+the+vajra+guru+are+aspects+of+the+samaya+%28Tib.+damtsig%29%2C+or+%22sacred+bond%22%2C+that+protects+both+the+practitioner+and+the+integrity+of+the+teachings.%22%5B19%5D%0D%0AThe+teachings+may+also+be+considered+%22self-secret%22%2C+meaning+that+even+if+they+were+to+be+told+directly+to+a+person%2C+that+person+would+not+necessarily+understand+the+teachings+without+proper+context.+In+this+way+the+teachings+are+%22secret%22+to+the+minds+of+those+who+are+not+following+the+path+with+more+than+a+simple+sense+of+curiosity.%5B30%5D%5B31%5D%0D%0AThe+esoteric+transmission+framework+can+take+varying+forms.+The+Nyingma+school+of+Tibetan+Buddhism+uses+a+method+called+Dzogchen.+The+Tibetan+Kagyu+school+and+the+Shingon+school+in+Japan+use+an+alternative+method+called+Mahamudra.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DSub-schools%0D%0A%0D%0AAlthough+there+is+historical+evidence+for+Vajrayana+Buddhism+in+Southeast+Asia+and+elsewhere+%28see+History+of+Vajrayana+below%29%2C+today+the+Vajrayana+exists+primarily+in+the+form+of+the+two+major+sub-schools+of+Tibetan+Buddhism+and+Esoteric+Buddhism+in+Japan+known+as+Shingon%2C+with+a+handful+of+minor+subschools+utilising+lesser+amounts+of+esoteric+or+tantric+materials.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DTibetan+Buddhism%0D%0AMain+article%3A+Tibetan+Buddhism%0D%0AThe+Tibetan+Buddhist+schools%2C+based+on+the+lineages+and+textual+traditions+of+the+Kangyur+and+Tengyur+of+Tibet%2C+are+found+in+Tibet%2C+Bhutan%2C+northern+India%2C+Nepal%2C+southwestern+and+northern+China%2C+Mongolia+and+various+constituent+republics+of+Russia+that+are+adjacent+to+the+area%2C+such+as+Amur+Oblast%2C+Buryatia%2C+Chita+Oblast%2C+the+Tuva+Republic+and+Khabarovsk+Krai.+Tibetan+Buddhism+is+also+the+main+religion+in+Kalmykia.%0D%0AVajrayana+Buddhism+was+established+in+Tibet+in+the+8th+century+when+%C5%9A%C4%81ntarak%E1%B9%A3ita+was+brought+to+Tibet+from+India+at+the+instigation+of+the+Dharma+King+Trisong+Detsen%2C+some+time+before+767.+He+established+the+basis+of+what+later+came+to+be+known+as+the+Nyingma+school.+As+a+Tantric+Mahasiddha+Padmasambhava%27s+contribution+ensured+that+Tibetan+Buddhism+became+part+of+the+Vajrayana+tradition.+While+Vajrayana+Buddhism+is+a+part+of+Tibetan+Buddhism+in+that+it+forms+a+core+part+of+every+major+Tibetan+Buddhist+school%2C+it+is+not+identical+with+it.+Buddhist+scholar+Alexander+Berzin+refers+to+%22the+Mahayana+and+Vajrayana+traditions+of+Tibetan+Buddhism%22.%5B32%5D+Training+in+the+%22common+paths%22+of+Sutra+%28including+Lamrim%29+are+said+to+be+the+foundation+for+the+%22uncommon+path%22+of+Vajrayana.%5B33%5D+The+Vajrayana+techniques+add+%27skillful+means%27+to+the+general+Mahayana+teachings+for+advanced+students.+The+%27skillful+means%27+of+the+Vajrayana+in+Tibetan+Buddhism+refers+to+tantra+techniques%2C+Dzogchen+%28Tibetan%3B+Sanskrit%3Amaha-ati%29+and+Mahamudra+%28Tibetan%3AChagchen%29.%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AChinese+use+of+the+Siddha%E1%B9%83+script+for+the+Pratisara+Mantra.+927+CE.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DChinese+Esoteric+Buddhism%0D%0AEsoteric+traditions+in+China+are+similar+in+teachings+to+the+Japanese+Shingon+school%2C+though+the+number+of+practitioners+was+greatly+reduced%2C+due+in+part+of+the+persecution+of+Buddhists+under+Emperor+Wuzong+of+Tang%2C+nearly+wiping+out+most+of+the+Chinese+Esoteric+Buddhist+lineage.+In+China+and+countries+with+large+Chinese+populations+such+as+Taiwan%2C+Malaysia+and+Singapore%2C+Chinese+Esoteric+Buddhism+is+commonly+referred+as+T%C3%A1ngm%C3%AC+%28%E5%94%90%E5%AF%86%29+%22Tang+Dynasty+Secret+Buddhism%2C%22+or+H%C3%A0nchu%C3%A1nm%C3%ACz%C5%8Dng+%28%E6%BC%A2%E5%82%B3%E5%AF%86%E5%AE%97%29+%22Secret+Buddhism+of+the+Han+Transmission%22+%28H%C3%A0nm%C3%AC+%E6%BC%A2%E5%AF%86+for+short%29%2C+or+D%C5%8Dngm%C3%AC+%28%E6%9D%B1%E5%AF%86%29+%22Eastern+Secret+Buddhism.%22+In+a+more+general+sense%2C+the+Chinese+term+M%C3%ACz%C5%8Dng+%28%E5%AF%86%E5%AE%97%29+%22The+Secret+Way%22%2C+is+the+most+popular+term+used+when+referring+to+any+form+of+Esoteric+Buddhism.+These+traditions+more+or+less+share+the+same+doctrines+as+the+Shingon+school%2C+with+many+of+its+students+themselves+traveling+to+Japan+to+be+given+transmission+at+Mount+Koya.%0D%0AAccording+to+Master+Hsuan+Hua%2C+the+most+popular+example+of+esoteric+teachings+still+practiced+in+many+Zen+monasteries+of+East+Asia%2C+is+the+%C5%9A%C5%ABra%E1%B9%85gama+S%C5%ABtra+and+its+dh%C4%81ra%E1%B9%87%C4%AB+%28Sit%C4%81tapatro%E1%B9%A3%E1%B9%87%C4%AB%E1%B9%A3a+Dh%C4%81ra%E1%B9%87%C4%AB%29%2C+along+with+the+Great+Compassion+Dharani+%28N%C4%ABlaka%E1%B9%87%E1%B9%ADha+Dh%C4%81ran%C4%AB%29%2C+with+its+42+Hands+and+Eyes+Mantras.%5B34%5D%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AA+Shingon+shrine+with+Mahavairocana+at+the+center+of+the+shrine%2C+and+the+Womb+Realm+and+Diamond+Realm+mandalas.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DShingon+Buddhism%0D%0AMain+article%3A+Shingon+Buddhism%0D%0AThe+Shingon+school+is+found+in+Japan+and+includes+practices%2C+known+in+Japan+as+Mikky%C5%8D%2C+which+are+similar+in+concept+to+those+in+Tibetan+Vajrayana+Buddhism.+The+lineage+for+Shingon+Buddhism+differs+from+that+of+Tibetan+Vajrayana%2C+having+emerged+from+India+and+Central+Asia+%28via+China%29+and+is+based+on+earlier+versions+of+the+Indian+texts+than+the+Tibetan+lineage.+Shingon+shares+material+with+Tibetan+Buddhism%E2%80%93-such+as+the+esoteric+sutras+%28called+Tantras+in+Tibetan+Buddhism%29+and+mandalas+%E2%80%93+but+the+actual+practices+are+not+related.+The+primary+texts+of+Shingon+Buddhism+are+the+Mahavairocana+Sutra+and+Vajrasekhara+Sutra.+The+founder+of+Shingon+Buddhism+was+Kukai%2C+a+Japanese+monk+who+studied+in+China+in+the+9th+century+during+the+Tang+Dynasty+and+brought+back+Vajrayana+scriptures%2C+techniques+and+mandalas+then+popular+in+China.+The+school+mostly+died+out+or+was+merged+into+other+schools+in+China+towards+the+end+of+the+Tang+Dynasty+but+flourished+in+Japan.+Shingon+is+one+of+the+few+remaining+branches+of+Buddhism+in+the+world+that+continues+to+use+the+siddham+script+of+the+Sanskrit+language.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DTendai+Buddhism%0D%0AMain+article%3A+Tendai%0D%0AAlthough+the+Tendai+school+in+China+and+Japan+does+employ+some+esoteric+practices%2C+these+rituals+came+to+be+considered+of+equal+importance+with+the+exoteric+teachings+of+the+Lotus+Sutra.+By+chanting+mantras%2C+maintaining+mudras%2C+or+practicing+certain+forms+of+meditation%2C+Tendai+maintains+that+one+is+able+to+understand+sense+experiences+as+taught+by+the+Buddha%2C+have+faith+that+one+is+innately+an+enlightened+being%2C+and+that+one+can+attain+enlightenment+within+the+current+lifetime.%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AShugend%C5%8D+practitioners+in+the+mountains+of+Kumano%2C+Mie.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DShugend%C5%8D%0D%0AMain+article%3A+Shugend%C5%8D%0D%0AShugend%C5%8D+was+founded+in+7th+century+Japan+by+the+ascetic+En+no+Gy%C5%8Dja%2C+based+on+the+Queen%27s+Peacocks+Sutra.+With+its+origins+in+the+solitary+hijiri+back+in+the+7th+century%2C+Shugend%C5%8D+evolved+as+a+sort+of+amalgamation+between+Esoteric+Buddhism%2C+Shinto+and+several+other+religious+influences+including+Taoism.+Buddhism+and+Shinto+were+amalgamated+in+the+shinbutsu+sh%C5%ABg%C5%8D%2C+and+K%C5%ABkai%27s+syncretic+view+held+wide+sway+up+until+the+end+of+the+Edo+period%2C+coexisting+with+Shinto+elements+within+Shugend%C5%8D%5B35%5D%0D%0AIn+1613+during+the+Edo+period%2C+the+Tokugawa+Shogunate+issued+a+regulation+obliging+Shugend%C5%8D+temples+to+belong+to+either+Shingon+or+Tendai+temples.+During+the+Meiji+Restoration%2C+when+Shinto+was+declared+an+independent+state+religion+separate+from+Buddhism%2C+Shugend%C5%8D+was+banned+as+a+superstition+not+fit+for+a+new%2C+enlightened+Japan.+Some+Shugend%C5%8D+temples+converted+themselves+into+various+officially+approved+Shint%C5%8D+denominations.+In+modern+times%2C+Shugend%C5%8D+is+practiced+mainly+by+Tendai+and+Shingon+sects%2C+retaining+an+influence+on+modern+Japanese+religion+and+culture.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DNewar+Buddhism%0D%0AMain+article%3A+Newar+Buddhism%0D%0ANewar+Buddhism+is+practiced+by+Newars+in+Nepal.+This+is+the+only+form+of+Vajrayana+Buddhism+in+which+the+scriptures+are+written+in+Sanskrit.+Its+priests+do+not+follow+celibacy+and+are+called+Vajracharyas.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DTantra+techniques%0D%0A%0D%0AMain+article%3A+Tantra+techniques+%28Vajrayana%29%0D%0AAccording+to+the+Vajrayana+tradition%2C%5B36%5D+at+certain+times+the+bodymind%5B37%5D+is+in+a+very+subtle+state+which+can+be+used+by+advanced+practitioners+to+transform+the+mindstream.+Such+liminal+times+are+known+in+Tibetan+Buddhism+as+Bardo+states+and+include+such+transitional+states+as+during+meditation%2C+dreaming%2C+sex+and+death.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DDeity+yoga%0D%0ADeity+yoga+%28Tibetan%3A+lha%27i+rnal+%27byor%3B+Sanskrit%3A+Devata%29+is+the+fundamental+Vajrayana+practice%2C+often+involving+a+sadhana+liturgy+and+form%2C+in+which+practitioners+visualize+themselves+as+the+meditation+Buddha+or+yidam.+The+purpose+of+Deity+yoga+is+to+bring+the+meditator+to+the+realization+that+the+deity+and+the+practitioner+are+in+essence+the+same%2C+and+non-dual.+By+visualizing+oneself+and+one%27s+environment+entirely+as+a+projection+of+mind%2C+it+helps+the+practitioner+to+become+familiar+with+the+mind%27s+ability+and+habit+of+projecting+conceptual+layers+over+all+experience.+This+experience+undermines+a+habitual+belief+that+views+of+reality+and+self+are+solid+and+fixed.+Deity+yoga+enables+the+practitioner+to+release%2C+or+%27purify%27+him+or+herself+from+spiritual+obscurations+%28Sanskrit%3A+klesha%29+and+to+practice+compassion+and+wisdom+simultaneously.%0D%0ABeer+%282004%3A+p.+142%29+states%3A%5B38%5D%0D%0ADeity+Yoga+employs+highly+refined+techniques+of+creative+imagination%2C+visualisation%2C+and+photism+in+order+to+self-identify+with+the+divine+form+and+qualities+of+a+particular+deity+as+the+union+of+method+or+skilful+means+and+wisdom.+As+His+Holiness+the+Dalai+Lama+says%2C+%22In+brief%2C+the+body+of+a+Buddha+is+attained+through+meditating+on+it%22.%0D%0AThe+realization+of+Deity+yoga+is+attained+as+a+result+of+pure+concentration+on+bringing+the+three+bodies+into+the+path%2C+in+which+the+practitioner+mentally+generates+themselves+as+a+Tantric+Deity+%28Sanskrit%3A+Yidam%29+and+their+surroundings+as+the+Deity%27s+mandala.+The+purpose+of+doing+this+is+to+overcome+ordinary+appearances+and+conceptions+which%2C+according+to+Vajrayana%2C+are+the+obstructions+to+nirvana+and+omniscience.%5B39%5D+Recent+studies+indicate+that+Deity+yoga+yields+quantifiable+improvements+in+the+practitioner%27s+ability+to+process+visuospatial+information%2C+specifically+those+involved+in+working+visuospatial+memory.%5B40%5D%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DFour+complete+purities%0D%0AFour+Purities+%28Tibetan%3A+yongs+su+dag+pa+bzhi%3B+yongs+dag+bzhi%29%5B41%5D+In+defining+Vajrayana%2C+Yuthok+et+al.+identify+the+%22Four+Purities%22+which+define+the+principal+Tantric+methodology+of+Deity+Yoga+that+distinguishes+it+from+the+rest+of+Buddhism%3A%5B42%5D%0D%0AVajrayana...is+a+subdivision+of+Mahayana%2C+which+may+be+divided+into+Sutrayana+and+Vajrayana+%28or+Tantrayana%29.+Vajrayana+is+regarded+as+a+swifter+path+and+is+considered+superior+to+Sutrayana.+Whereas+Sutrayana+focuses+on+the+causal+method%2C+Vajrayana+teaches+the+Resultant+method+%5Bsic%5D+because+it+includes+the+%27four+purities%27%3A+%281%29+purity+of+environment+%282%29+purity+of+body+%283%29+purity+of+resources+and+%284%29+purity+of+deeds.%0D%0AKalachakranet+identifies+and+defines+the+%22Four+Purities%22+in+a+complementary+though+different+fashion%3A%5B43%5D%0D%0AThe+main+tantric+practices+can+be+summarised+in+the+%22Four+Purities%22%3A%0D%0A1.+Seeing+one%27s+body+as+the+body+of+the+deity%0D%0A2.+Seeing+one%27s+environment+as+the+pure+land+or+mandala+of+the+deity%0D%0A3.+Perceiving+one%27s+enjoyments+as+bliss+of+the+deity%2C+free+from+attachment%0D%0A4.+Performing+one%27s+actions+only+for+the+benefit+of+others+%28bodhichitta+motivation%2C+altruism%29%5B44%5D%0D%0AImagery+and+ritual+in+deity+yoga%3A+representations+of+the+deity%2C+such+as+a+statues+%28murti%29%2C+paintings+%28thangka%29%2C+or+mandala%2C+are+often+employed+as+an+aid+to+visualization%2C+in+Deity+yoga.+Mandalas+are+sacred+enclosures%2C+sacred+architecture+that+house+and+contain+the+uncontainable+essence+of+a+yidam.+In+the+book+The+World+of+Tibetan+Buddhism%2C+the+Dalai+Lama+describes+mandalas+thus%3A+%22This+is+the+celestial+mansion%2C+the+pure+residence+of+the+deity.%22%0D%0AIn+the+same+context%2C+all+ritual+in+Vajrayana+practice+can+be+seen+as+aiding+in+this+process+of+visualization+and+identification.+The+practitioner+can+use+various+hand+implements+such+as+a+vajra%2C+bell%2C+hand-drum+%28damaru%29+or+a+ritual+dagger+%28phurba%29%2C+but+also+ritual+hand+gestures+%28mudras%29+can+be+made%2C+special+chanting+techniques+can+be+used%2C+and+in+elaborate+offering+rituals+or+initiations%2C+many+more+ritual+implements+and+tools+are+used%2C+each+with+an+elaborate+symbolic+meaning+to+create+a+special+environment+for+practice.+Vajrayana+has+thus+become+a+major+inspiration+in+traditional+Tibetan+art.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DGuru+yoga%0D%0AGuru+yoga+%28or+teacher+practice%29+%28Tibetan%3A+bla+ma%27i+rnal+%27byor%29%5B45%5D+is+a+practice+that+has+many+variations%2C+but+may+be+understood+as+a+tantric+devotional+process+whereby+the+practitioners+unite+their+mindstream+with+the+mindstream+of+the+guru.+The+guru+is+engaged+as+yidam%2C+as+a+nirmanakaya+manifestation+of+a+Buddha.+The+process+of+guru+yoga+might+entail+visualization+of+an+entire+lineage+of+masters+%28refuge+tree%29+as+an+invocation+of+the+lineage.+It+usually+involves+visualization+of+the+guru+above+or+in+front+of+the+practitioner.+Guru+yoga+may+entail+a+liturgy+or+mantra+such+as+the+Prayer+in+Seven+Lines.+%28Tibetan%3A+tshig+bdun+gsol+%27debs%29%5B46%5D%0D%0AThe+Guru+or+spiritual+teacher+is+essential+as+a+guide+during+tantric+practice%2C+as+without+their+example%2C+blessings+and+grace%2C+genuine+progress+is+held+to+be+impossible+for+all+but+the+most+keen+and+gifted.+Many+tantric+texts+qualify+the+Three+Jewels+of+Buddha%2C+Dharma+and+Sangha+thus%3A+%22The+Guru+is+Buddha%2C+the+Guru+is+Dharma%2C+the+Guru+is+also+Sangha%22%5B47%5D+to+reflect+their+importance+for+the+disciple.+The+guru+is+considered+even+more+compassionate+and+more+potent+than+the+Buddha+because+we+can+have+a+direct+relationship+with+the+guru.+The+guru+therefore+appears+with+the+yidam+and+dakini+in+the+Three+Roots+refuge+formulation+of+the+three+factors+essential+for+tantric+attainments.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DDeath+yoga%0D%0ADeath+yoga+%28or+%22bringing+the+three+bodies+into+the+path+of+death%2C+intermediate+state+%28bardo%29+and+rebirth%22%5B48%5D%29+is+another+important+aspect+of+Tantra+techniques.+Although+it+is+sometimes+called+%22death+yoga%2C%22+it+is+mainly+practiced+during+life%2C+in+meditation.+It+can+be+practiced+first+according+to+generation+stage%2C+and+then+according+to+completion+stage.+The+accumulation+of+meditative+practice+helps+to+prepare+the+practitioner+for+what+they+need+to+do+at+the+time+of+death.+At+the+time+of+death+the+mind+is+in+a+subtle+state+%28clear+light%29+that+can+open+the+mind+to+enlightenment+if+it+is+skilfully+used+to+meditate+on+emptiness+%28shunyata%29.+During+completion+stage+meditation+it+is+possible+to+manifest+a+similar+clear+light+mind+and+to+use+it+to+meditate+on+emptiness.+This+meditation+causes+dualistic+appearances+to+subside+into+emptiness+and+enables+the+practitioner+to+destroy+their+ignorance+and+the+imprints+of+ignorance+that+are+the+obstructions+to+omniscience.+It+is+said+that+masters+like+Lama+Tsong+Khapa+used+these+techniques+to+achieve+enlightenment+during+the+death+process.+Actually%2C+there+are+three+stages+at+which+it+is+possible+to+do+this%3A+at+the+end+of+the+death+process%2C+during+the+bardo+%28or+%27in+between+period%27%29+and+during+the+process+of+rebirth.+During+these+stages%2C+the+mind+is+in+a+very+subtle+state%2C+and+an+advanced+practitioner+can+use+these+natural+states+to+make+significant+progress+on+the+spiritual+path.+The+Tibetan+Book+of+the+Dead+is+an+important+commentary+for+this+kind+of+traditional+practice.%0D%0AThis+death+yoga+should+not+be+confused+with+the+non-Tantric+meditation+on+impermanence+and+death%2C+which+is+a+common+practice+within+Buddhist+traditions+used+to+overcome+desirous+attachment.%0D%0AAnother+Tibetan+ritual+practice+related+to+death+is+phowa+%28transference+of+one%27s+consciousness%29%2C+which+can+be+done+by+oneself+at+the+moment+of+death+or+by+ritual+specialists%2C+phowa-lamas%2C+on+behalf+of+the+dead.+For+the+Anuttarayoga+Tantras+%28Tib.+rnal-%E2%80%99byor+bla-med-kyi-rgyud%29%2C+transferring+one%E2%80%99s+consciousness+constitutes+one+of+the+two+ways+to+separate+the+coarse+and+subtle+bodies+through+meditation.+Daniel+Cozort+explains+that+%E2%80%99pho-ba+%28phowa%29+merely+separates+the+coarse+and+subtle+bodies+without+leading+to+the+attainment+of+an+%E2%80%9Cillusory+body%E2%80%9D+%28Tib.+sgyu-lus%29.+On+the+other+hand%2C+during+the+perfection+type+meditation%2C+known+as+the+%E2%80%9Cfinal+mental+isolation%E2%80%9D+%28Tibetan%3A+sems-dben%29+because+it+necessitates+the+presence+of+an+%E2%80%9Cactual+consort%E2%80%9D+%28Tib.+las-rgya%29%2C+%E2%80%9Cthe+winds+are+totally+dissolved+in+the+indestructible+drop%E2%80%9D+and+%E2%80%9Cthe+fundamental+wind+naturally+rises+into+an+illusory+body%E2%80%9D%5B49%5D%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DGeneration+and+completion+stage+practice+in+the+annutarayoga+tantras%0D%0AMain+article%3A+Generation+stage%0D%0AMain+article%3A+Completion+stage%0D%0AIn+the+highest+class+of+tantra%2C+two+stages+of+practice+are+distinguished.+In+the+first+stage+of+generation%2C+one+practices+oneself+in+the+identification+with+the+meditational+Buddha+%28yidam%29%2C+generally+until+one+can+meditate+single-pointedly+on+%27being%27+the+deity+%28see+above%2C+deity+yoga%29.+In+the+next+stage+of+completion%2C+one+engages+in+practices+with+the+subtle+energy+system+of+the+body+%28chakras+and+energy+channels+etc.%29+to+actualize+the+physical+and+mental+transformation+into+the+meditation+Buddha.+%28Similar+practices+are+also+found+in+Hindu+tantra+and+yoga.%29+In+some+Buddhist+tantras%2C+both+stages+can+be+practiced+simultanuguslyerC+kezeaw+in/otjess%sC+onekfirst+actualizes+the+generation+stage+before+continuing+with+the+completion+stage+practices.%0D%0ADetails+of+these+practices+are+normally+only+explained+to+practitioners+by+their+teachers+after+receiving+an+initiation+or+%27permission+to+practice%27.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DClassifications+of+tantra%0D%0A%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DBy+scholars%0D%0AThe+scholar+Joseph+M.+Kitagawa+says+that+Tantrayana+may+be+divided+into+three+main+types+of+tantra%5B11%5D%3A%0D%0AVajrayana+-+established+the+symbolic+terminology+and+the+liturgy+that+would+characterize+all+forms+of+the+tradition.%5B11%5D%0D%0ASahajayana+-+was+dominated+by+long-haired%2C+wandering+siddhas+who+openly+challenged+and+ridiculed+the+Buddhist+establishment.%5B11%5D%0D%0AKalachakra+Tantra+-+is+farthest+removed+from+the+earlier+Buddhist+traditions%2C+and+incorporates+concepts+of+messianism+and+astrology+not+present+elsewhere+in+Buddhist+literature.%5B11%5D%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DBy+the+New+Translation+Schools%0D%0AThe+Sarma+or+New+Translation+schools+of+Tibetan+Buddhism+%28Gelug%2C+Sakya%2C+and+Kagyu%29+divide+the+Tantras+into+four+hierarchical+categories%2C+namely%3A%0D%0AKriyayoga+%28action+tantra%29%0D%0ACharyayoga+%28performance+tantra%29%0D%0AYogatantra+%28yoga+tantra%29%0D%0AAnuttarayogatantra+%28highest+yoga+tantra%29%0D%0Afurther+divided+into+%22mother%22%2C+%22father%22+and+%22non-dual%22+tantras.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DBy+the+Ancient+Translation+School%0D%0AA+different+division+is+used+by+the+Nyingma+or+Ancient+school%3A%0D%0AThree+Outer+Tantras%3A%0D%0AKriyayoga%0D%0ACharyayoga%0D%0AYogatantra%0D%0AThree+Inner+Tantras%2C+which+correspond+to+the+Anuttarayogatantra%3A%0D%0AMahayoga%0D%0AAnuyoga%0D%0AAtiyoga+%28Tib.+Dzogchen%29%0D%0AThe+practice+of+Atiyoga+is+further+divided+into+three+classes%3A+Mental+SemDe%2C+Spatial+LongDe%2C+and+Esoteric+Instructional+MenNgagDe.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DHistory+of+Vajrayana%0D%0A%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DIndia%0D%0AThere+are+differing+views+as+to+where+in+the+Indian+sub-continent+Vajrayana+began.+Some+believe+it+originated+in+Bengal%2C%5B50%5D+now+divided+between+the+Republic+of+India+and+Bangladesh%2C+with+others+claiming+it+began+in+Uddiyana%2C+located+by+some+scholars+in+the+modern+day+Swat+Valley+in+Pakistan%2C+or+in+South+India.+In+the+Tibetan+Buddhist+tradition%2C+it+is+claimed+that+the+historical+Shakyamuni+Buddha+taught+tantra%2C+but+that+since+these+are+%27secret%27+teachings%2C+confined+to+the+guru%2Fdisciple+relationship%2C+they+were+generally+written+down+long+after+the+Buddha%27s+other+teachings%2C+the+Pali+Canon+and+the+Mahayana+sutras.%0D%0AThe+earliest+texts+appeared+around+the+early+4th+century.+Nalanda+University+in+eastern+India+became+a+center+for+the+development+of+Vajrayana+theory%2C+although+it+is+likely+that+the+university+followed%2C+rather+than+led%2C+the+early+Tantric+movement.+India+would+continue+as+the+source+of+leading-edge+Vajrayana+practices+up+until+the+11th+century+producing+many+renowned+Mahasiddha.%0D%0ASome+believe+that+Indrabhuti%2C+the+king+of+Sambalpur+founded+Vajrayana+while+his+sister+who+was+married+to+Prince+%28Yuvaraja%29+Jalendra+of+Lankapuri+%28Sonepur%29+founded+Sahajayana.+These+new+Tantric+cults+of+Buddhism+introduced+Mantra%2C+Mudra+and+Mandala+along+with+six+tantric+Abhicharas+%28practices%29+such+as+Marana+%28Death%29%2C+Stambhana%2C+Sammohana%2C+Vidvesan%2C+Uchchatana+and+Vajikarana.%0D%0A%28Vajrayana%29+Buddhism+had+mostly+died+out+in+India+by+the+13th+century%2C+and+tantric+religions+of+Buddhism+and+Hinduism+were+also+experiencing+pressure+from+invading+Islamic+armies.+By+that+time%2C+the+vast+majority+of+the+practices+were+also+available+in+Tibet%2C+where+they+were+preserved+until+recently.%0D%0AIn+the+second+half+of+the+20th+century+a+sizable+number+of+Tibetan+exiles+fled+the+oppressive%2C+anti-religious+rule+of+the+Communist+Chinese+to+establish+Tibetan+Buddhist+communities+in+northern+India%2C+particularly+around+Dharamsala.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DSambalpur%0D%0AIndrabhuti%2C+the+oldest+known+king+of+Sambalpur+founded+Vajrayana+while+his+sister+who+was+married+to+Yuvaraja+Jalendra+of+Lankapuri+%28Suvarnapur%29+founded+Sahajayana.+These+new+Tantric+cults+of+Buddhism+introduced+Mantra%2C+Mudra+and+Mandala+along+with+six+Tantric+Abhicharas+%28practices%29+such+as+Marana%2C+Stambhana%2C+Sammohana%2C+Vidvesan%2C+Uchchatana+and+Vajikarana.+The+Tantric+Buddhist+sects+made+efforts+to+raise+the+dignity+of+the+lowest+of+the+low+of+the+society+to+a+higher+plane.+It+revived+primitive+beliefs+and+practices+a+simpler+and+less+formal+approach+to+the+personal+god%2C+a+liberal+and+respectful+attitude+towards+women+and+denial+of+caste+system.%5B51%5D%5B52%5D%0D%0AFrom+the+7th+century+onwards+many+popular+religious+elements+of+heterogeneous+nature+were+incorporated+into+Mahayana+Buddhism+which+finally+resulted+in+the+origin+of+Vajrayana%2C+Kalachakrayana+and+Sahajayana+Tantric+Buddhism.+Tantric+Buddhism+first+developed+in+Uddiyana%2C+a+country+which+was+divided+into+two+kingdoms+Sambhala+and+Lankapuri.+Sambhala+has+been+identified+with+Sambalpur+and+Lankapuri+with+Subarnapura+%28Sonepur%29.%5B53%5D%0D%0AMany+celebrated+Vajrayana+Acharyas+like+Sarah%2C+Hadipa%2C+Dombi%2C+Heruka%2C+Tantipa+and+Luipa+came+from+the+so-called+despised+classes.+The+cult+exerted+a+tremendous+influence+over+the+tribal+and+despised+classes+of+people+of+Sambalpur+and+Bolangir+region.+It+was+in+the+9th-10th+century+that+there+appeared+seven+famous+Tantric+maidens+at+Patna+%28Patnagarh%29+region+which+was+then+called+Kuanri-Patana.+These+maidens+are+popularly+known+as+Saat+Bhauni+%28Seven+sisters%29%2C+namely%2C+Gyanadei+Maluni%2C+Luhakuti%2C+Luhuruni%2C+Nitei+Dhobani%2C+Sukuti+Chamaruni%2C+Patrapindhi+Savaruni%2C+Gangi+Gauduni+and+sua+Teluni.+They+hailed+from+so-called+the+low+castes+of+the+society+and+were+followers+of+Lakshminkara.+Because+of+their+miraculous+power+and+feats%3B+they+have+been+later+on+deified+and+worshipped+by+the+folk+people.%5B54%5D%0D%0AA+systematic+analysis+of+the+trend+of+religious+development+of+the+period+under+review+and+circumstantial+evidences+reveal+that+Chakra+Sambar+Tantricism+of+Tantric+Buddhism+gained+popularity+in+the+Gandhagiri+region.+The+chief+deity+of+Chakra+Sambara+Tantra+is+Buddha+Sambara%2C+the+deity+whose+worship+is+still+popular+in+China+and+Tibet.+According+to+Sadhanamala%2C+god+Buddha+Sambara+is+one-faced+and+two-armed.+He+appears+terrible+with+his+garment+of+tiger-skin%2C+garland+of+heads%2C+a+string+of+skulls+round+the+head%2C+three+eyes+and+in+%C3%82lidhamudr%C3%A2%2C+he+tramples+upon+Kalaratri.+A+number+of+texts+relating+to+the+procedures+of+worship+of+God+Buddha+Sambara+have+been+coposed+by+siddhacharyas+like+Darikapa%2C+Santideva%2C+Jayadratha+and+others.+King+Indrabhuti+of+Shambala+%28Sambalpur%29+composed+Chakra+Sambara+Stotra%2C+Chakra+Sambara+Anubandha+Samgraha%2C+Chakra+Sambara+Tantraraga+Sambara+Samuchchaya+Nama+Brutti+etc.+The+philosopher+cum+king+Indrabhuti+became+the+source+inspiration+to+the+adherents+of+Tantric+Buddhist+cult+in+Kosal+including+Gandhagiri+region.%5B55%5D%0D%0AIndrabhuti+and+Laksminkara%2C+the+two+royal+Buddhist+Acharyas+creted+a+mass+of+followers+to+their+cults.+In+the+9th-10th+century+the+worship+and+sadhana+of+Buddha+Sambara%2C+the+presiding+deity+of+Chakra+Sambara+Tantra+gained+popularity+in+the+Gandhagiri+region.+In+Gandhagiri+which+also+contained+a+large+number+of+caves+and+rock+shelters%2C+apparently+of+the+Vajrayanists+and+Sahajayanists%2C+the+adherents+of+the+cults+used+to+live+in+seclusion+and+practice+Kaya+Sadhana+or+Yogic+practices+along+with+worshipping+god+Buddha+Sambara.%5B56%5D%0D%0AThis+tantric+Buddhist+culture+greatly+affected+the+religious+faith+and+beliefs+of+the+tribal+of+Gandhagiri%2C+so+much+so+that+eventually+even+today+one+can+notice+the+invocation+of+various+Buddhist+Siddhacharyas+and+Buddhist+deities+in+the+mantras+of+the+tribal+to+ward+off+evil+spirits+or+cure+some+disease.+It+is+also+interesting+to+note+here+that+Buddha+was+worshipped+by+many+tribal+in+the+name+of+Budharaja.+There+is+also+a+small+hillock+at+the+heart+of+present+day+Sambalpur+by+the+name+Budharaja.%5B57%5D%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DChina%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AEsoteric+practices+related+to+Cund%C4%AB+have+remained+popular+in+Chinese+Buddhism+and+the+Sinosphere.%0D%0AEsoteric+teachings+followed+the+same+route+into+northern+China+as+Buddhism+itself%2C+arriving+via+the+Silk+Road+sometime+during+the+first+half+of+the+7th+century%2C+during+the+Tang+Dynasty.+Esoteric+Mantranaya+practices+arrived+from+India+just+as+Buddhism+was+reaching+its+zenith+in+China%2C+and+received+sanction+from+the+emperors+of+the+Tang+Dynasty.+During+this+time%2C+three+great+masters+came+from+India+to+China%3A+%C5%9Aubhakarasi%E1%B9%83ha%2C+Vajrabodhi%2C+and+Amoghavajra.+These+three+masters+brought+the+esoteric+teachings+to+their+height+of+popularity+in+China.%5B58%5D+During+this+era%2C+the+two+main+source+texts+were+the+Mah%C4%81vairocana+Abhisa%E1%B9%83bodhi+Tantra%2C+and+the+Tattvasa%E1%B9%83graha+Tantra.+Traditions+in+the+Sinosphere+still+exist+for+these+teachings%2C+and+they+more+or+less+share+the+same+doctrines+as+Shingon%2C+with+many+of+its+students+themselves+traveling+to+Japan+to+be+given+transmission+at+Mount+Koya.%0D%0AEsoteric+methods+were+naturally+incorporated+into+Chinese+Buddhism+during+the+Tang+Dynasty.+%C5%9Aubhakarasi%E1%B9%83ha%27s+most+eminent+disciple%2C+Master+Yixing+%28Ch.+%E4%B8%80%E8%A1%8C%29%2C+was+a+member+of+the+Zen+school.+In+such+a+way%2C+in+Chinese+Buddhism+there+was+no+major+distinction+between+exoteric+and+esoteric+practices%2C+and+the+northern+school+of+Zen+Buddhism+even+became+known+for+its+esoteric+practices+of+dh%C4%81ra%E1%B9%87%C4%ABs+and+mantras.%5B59%5D%5B60%5D%0D%0ADuring+the+Yuan+Dynasty%2C+the+Mongol+emperors+made+Esoteric+Buddhism+the+official+religion+of+China%2C+and+Tibetan+lamas+were+given+patronage+at+the+court.%5B61%5D+A+common+perception+was+that+this+patronage+of+lamas+caused+corrupt+forms+of+tantra+to+become+widespread.%5B61%5D+When+the+Mongol+Yuan+Dynasty+was+overthrown+and+the+Ming+Dynasty+was+established%2C+the+Tibetan+lamas+were+expelled+from+the+court%2C+and+this+form+of+Buddhism+was+denounced+as+not+being+an+orthodox+path.%5B61%5D%0D%0AIn+late+imperial+China%2C+the+early+traditions+of+Esoteric+Buddhism+were+still+thriving+in+Buddhist+communities.+Robert+Gimello+has+also+observed+that+in+these+communities%2C+the+esoteric+practices+associated+with+Cund%C4%AB+were+extremely+popular+among+both+the+populace+and+the+elite.%5B62%5D%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DTibet+and+other+Himalayan+kingdoms%0D%0AIn+747+the+Indian+master+Padmasambhava+traveled+from+Afghanistan+to+bring+Vajrayana+Buddhism+to+Tibet+and+Bhutan%2C+at+the+request+of+the+king+of+Tibet.+This+was+the+original+transmission+which+anchors+the+lineage+of+the+Nyingma+school.+During+the+11th+century+and+early+12th+century+a+second+important+transmission+occurred+with+the+lineages+of+Atisa%2C+Marpa+and+Brogmi%2C+giving+rise+to+the+other+schools+of+Tibetan+Buddhism%2C+namely+Kadam%2C+Kagyu%2C+Sakya%2C+and+Geluk+%28the+school+of+the+Dalai+Lama%29.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DJapan%0D%0ADuring+the+Tang+Dynasty+in+China%2C+when+esoteric+Buddhist+practices+reached+their+peak%2C+Japan+was+actively+importing+Buddhism%2C+its+texts+and+teachings%2C+by+sending+monks+on+risky+missions+across+the+sea+to+stay+in+China+for+two+years+or+more.+Depending+on+where+the+monk+stay+and+trained%2C+they+might+bring+esoteric+Buddhist+material+and+training+back+to+Japan%2C+or+not.%0D%0AIn+804%2C+monk+Saicho+came+back+from+China+with+teachings+from+the+Tiantai+sect%2C+but+was+also+trained+in+esoteric+lineages.+When+he+later+founded+the+Japanese+Tendai+sect%2C+esoteric+practices+were+integrated+with+the+larger+Tendai+teachings%2C+but+Tendai+is+not+an+exclusively+esoteric+sect.+Subsequent+disciples+of+Saicho+also+returned+from+China+in+later+years+with+further+esoteric+training%2C+which+helped+to+flesh+out+the+lineage+in+Japan.%0D%0AOn+the+same+mission+in+804%2C+Emperor+Kammu+also+sent+monk+K%C5%ABkai+to+the+Tang+Dynasty+capital+at+Chang%27an+%28present-day+Xi%27an%29.+K%C5%ABkai+absorbed+the+Vajrayana+thinking+from+eminent+Indian+and+Chinese+Vajrayana+teachers+at+the+time%2C+and+synthesized+a+version+of+which+he+took+back+with+him+to+Japan%2C+where+he+founded+the+Shingon+school+of+Buddhism%2C+a+school+which+continues+to+this+day.+Unlike+Tendai%2C+Shingon+is+a+purely+esoteric+sect.%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DIndonesian+Archipelago%0D%0AThe+empire+of+Srivijaya+in+southeast+Sumatra+was+already+a+center+of+Vajrayana+learning+when+Dharma+Master+Yijing+%28Ch.+%E6%B3%95%E5%B8%AB%E7%BE%A9%E6%B7%A8%29+resided+there+for+six+months+in+671%2C+long+before+Padmasambhava+brought+the+method+to+Tibet.+In+the+11th+century%2C+Atisha+studied+in+Srivijaya+under+Serlingpa%2C+an+eminent+Buddhist+scholar+and+a+prince+of+the+Srivijayan+ruling+house.%0D%0AThrough+early+economic+relationships+with+the+Srivijaya+Empire%2C+the+Philippines+came+under+the+influence+of+Vajrayana.%5Bcitation+needed%5D+Vajrayana+Buddhism+also+influenced+the+construction+of+Borobudur%2C+a+three-dimensional+mandala%2C+in+central+Java+circa+800.%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AYoung+Monk+in+Shalu+Monastery%2C+Shigatse%2C+Tibet%0D%0A%5Bedit%5DMongolia%0D%0AIn+the+13th+century%2C+the+Tibetan+Buddhist+teachers+of+the+Sakya+school%2C+led+by+Sakya+Pandita+Kunga+Gyaltsen+took+part+in+a+religious+debate+with+Christians+and+Muslims+before+the+Mongolian+royal+court.+As+a+result+the+Mongolian+Prince+Godan+adopted+Tibetan+Buddhism+as+his+personal+religion%2C+although+not+requiring+it+of+his+subjects.+Drog%C3%B6n+Ch%C3%B6gyal+Phagpa%2C+Sakya+Pandita%27s+nephew%2C+eventually+converted+Kublai+Khan+to+Buddhism.+Since+the+Khan+conquered+China+and+established+the+Yuan+Dynasty+which+lasted+from+1271+to+1368%2C+this+led+to+the+renewal+in+China+of+the+Tantric+practices+which+had+died+out+there+many+years+earlier.+Vajrayana+practice+declined+in+China+and+Mongolia+with+the+fall+of+the+Yuan+Dynasty%2C+although+Mongolia+saw+another+revival+of+Vajrayana+in+the+17th+century%2C+with+the+establishment+of+ties+between+the+Dalai+Lama+in+Tibet+and+the+Mongolian+princedoms.+This+revived+the+historic+pattern+of+the+spiritual+leaders+of+Tibet+acting+as+priests+to+the+rulers+of+the+Mongol+empire.+Having+survived+suppression+by+the+Communists%2C+Buddhism+in+Mongolia+is+today+primarily+of+the+Gelug+school+of+Tibetan+Buddhism+and+is+being+re-invigorated+following+the+fall+of+the+Communist+government.