Vajrayana Buddhism is a spiritual philosophy based on the teachings of Buddha, but attributed to Padmasambhava. It is closely associated with Mahayana and Theravada schools, and is considered the third yana of Buddhism. The path leading to Vajrayana is believed to have derived from the third turning of the wheel of dharma. Vajrayana is also known as the Diamond Vehicle and the Indestructible Path of Buddhism. It is based on the tantric doctrine and is achieved through various sadhanas. Unlike other teachings, Vajrayana does not require the practitioner to strive for Nirvana, and progression is achieved through the transmission of knowledge and wisdom from teacher to student.
Vajrayana Buddhism is a life and spiritual philosophy that embraces the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha. However, his appearance in the 8th century is often attributed to Padmasambhava, the Indian tantric master also known as the second Buddha. This type of Buddhism is closely associated with the Mahayana and Theravada schools of Buddhism, although there are some differences in practice between them. Vajrayana Buddhism is also considered the third yana of Buddhism, the Sanskrit word meaning “vehicle.” In particular, the path leading to the birth of the Vajrayana tradition is believed to have derived from the third turning of the “wheel of dharma”, a series of Buddhist teachings and oral traditions generally known as sutras.
Vajrayana Buddhism received its name from the Sanskrit word vajra, which represents the thunderbolt wielded by Indra, the god of war and weather. This word also loosely translates to meaning “diamond,” which denotes an indestructible force. As such, Vajrayana Buddhism is often called the Diamond Vehicle and the Indestructible Path of Buddhism. It is also synonymous with various other names, including Thunderbolt Vehicle, True Words Sect, Esoteric Buddhism, Tantric Buddhism, Mantrayana, and Secret Mantra, among others.
The principles of Vajrayana Buddhism are considered to be closest to those practiced by the Buddha to attain dharmakaya, or true enlightenment. However, Vajrayanists argue that Buddha did not share many of these principles as he considered them too esoteric for the uninitiated. Like other Buddhist teachings, the Vajrayana is based on the tantric doctrine (tantra), which can be accessed by practicing various sadhanas. A sadhana may consist of yoga, meditation, controlled breathing (Pranayama), and repetition of specialized prayers known as mantras.
Unlike some Buddhist teachings, the path of Vajrayana Buddhism does not require the practitioner to strive to attain Nirvana, a process believed to take many lifetimes. In alliance with the Mahayana bodhisattvas, the Vajrayana practitioner should seek perfect enlightenment but be willing to reincarnate to help others on the mundane plane achieve the same. The belief that the Vajrayana practitioner can attain pure enlightenment in one lifetime also differs from other teachings. Indeed, this is why this type of Buddhism is sometimes referred to as the short path.
Progression on the Vajrayana path is achieved through the transmission of knowledge and wisdom from teacher to student, sometimes through mindstream transcendence. This relationship is seen as a commitment to forging a lineage of tantric masters. Indeed, Vajrayana Buddhism is considered to be the longest-lived school of Tibetan Buddhism. In the spirit of the vajra, his teachings have been passed down by a lineage of teachers that has remained intact for thousands of years.
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