Questions tagged [vajrayana]
Vajrayāna is also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayāna, Mantrayāna, Secret Mantra, Esoteric Buddhism and the Diamond Way or Thunderbolt Way. According to Vajrayāna scriptures "Vajrayāna" refers to one of three vehicles or routes to enlightenment, the other two being the Hinayāna and Mahayana.
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Guru Yoga at Home?
I recently started attending Karma Kagyu meditations and did the guided Guru Yoga meditation. Is it suitable to be done (with youtube for example) at home or just at Sangha? I feel like I'd like to be ...
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1answer
105 views
Om - meaning and “significance” of it in Buddhism - esp. in theravada?
Many buddhist mantras have Om/Aum in starting of it. In buddhism, esp. theravada, what is the meaning and "significance" of "Om"?
(note:although I am open to mahayana,vajrayana interpretations too as ...
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4answers
102 views
Concentrating on Breathing
I have been experiencing energy flow on my head,especially at the tempels, even after meditation. I have only started on Breathing concentration. What is it? I have stopped meditation for fear of ...
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3answers
121 views
What are “lower yanas”
How is it that 3 separate schools of Buddhism that developed they're own separate characteristics and sometimes even developed different fundamental teachings are taught as lower, middle and greater ...
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3answers
538 views
How did Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche justify drinking alcohol?
How did Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche justify drinking alcohol? How did his students justify his drinking? Is it possible an enlightened being could or would drink alcohol if they had been physically ...
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5answers
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Vajrayana VS theravada - after death theories - do they contradict each other?
As far as i understand the having opposing views about what happens between after you die until you are reborn again right ? or do they "sit together" some how ?
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4answers
372 views
How do Bodhisattva vow takers avoid stream entry?
According to the suttas in SN13, a stream enterer (or stream winner or sotapanna) only has at most, seven remaining lifetimes, before they are permanently freed from suffering.
On the other hand, ...
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1answer
218 views
How do Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhists make sense of Maitreya's prophecy?
How do Mayahana and Vajrayana Buddhists make sense of Maiterya's prophecy?
I know for a fact that some e.g. son masters claimed to have achieved anuttara samyak sambodhi, and that some Vajrayana ...
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1answer
238 views
What are the texts of Vajrāyana Buddhism? And where can I get?
What are the scriptures of Vajrāyana Buddhism? Or texts related?
Where can I get scriptures or texts on Vajrāyana Buddhism?
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What is the Buddhist perspective on passively altering your subconcious?
Firstly I'd like to provide some context:
When I first began getting into the Buddhist teachings, specifically that of the Theravada tradition, I'd often do things such as passively play the ...
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1answer
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Does a sexual union with one's body incarnation of an opposite sex count as a misconduct?
According to Mahayana doctrine (at least within Nyingma linbeage), different incarnations of body, mind and/or speech of a same sentient being are possible.
By which I deduce that a sentient being of ...
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0answers
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Monkey Year Teaching (Drikung-Kagyu)
My questions concern Monkey Year Teaching held by Kagyu lineage (Great Phowa of Chagtsugma).
Is this type of Phowa similar for all Monkey Year Teachings held through the Kagyu lineage?
What is the ...
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3answers
267 views
Is it sinful to masturbate in Bhutanese variety of Vajrayana?
Is masturbation a sin in Vajrayana variety practiced in Bhutan as official state religion? When performed by non-monk, for example, adolescent boy, divorced man, as part of wider sexual practices used ...
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2answers
198 views
Who follows which yana (Vajrayana, Hinayana or Mahayana)?
I have heard about these traditions: Vajrayana, Mahayana, and Hinayana. In today's world, Buddhist people dwell in South Asia and East Asia. Who among them follows each particular sect? Does anybody ...
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1answer
109 views
Different transmissions for reciting various versions of a same mantra acc. to any of Vajrayana branches
Tashi delek! My question concerns the mantra reciting in Vajrayana tradition, where some Buddhist deities (not to be confused with the mundane ones) may have several versions of a same mantra.
That ...
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0answers
172 views
Meditation techniques used in different branches/traditions of Buddhism [closed]
What are some meditation techniques used in different branches/traditions/vehicles of Buddhism?
Please provide the name of the technique, names of branches/traditions/vehicles that apply this ...
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2answers
3k views
Vajra Posture vs Lotus Posture — the same or male vs female?
I always thought that "Vajra Posture" and "Lotus Posture" were simply two names for the same thing. But recently somebody told me that Vajra Posture is for males and Lotus Posture for females, though ...
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3answers
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What is a wrathful Buddha?
In reading this answer to another question there were many references to "the peaceful and wrathful buddhas" in the quote from The Tibetan Book of the Dead. This is a tradition that I'm not very ...
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3answers
229 views
Tathagatagarbha and dhammakaya
Can we consider 'tathagatagarbha' and 'dhammakaya' as synonyms? If not, what is the difference between those words.
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1answer
501 views
prajna vs jnana across schools
Can anyone explain the difference between the terms prajna and jnana and how they differ between schools? I learnt for several years with a chinese tradition, where we were taught that prajna is ...
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2answers
752 views
What are the core Mahayana and Vajrayana Sutras?
When starting a more in-depth study of the Dharma from a Mahayana and Vajrayana perspective, what are the core (3 most recommended) Sutras (or texts), and the reasons why they are considered important,...
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3answers
280 views
Finding The Right Buddhist “Vehicle” / Sect For An Individual
I know there are three vehicles in Buddhism: Therevada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. It seems there are so many sects of buddhism. Each of these three vehicles has sub-sects, (Zen, Pureland). Do the ...
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2answers
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Is Tantrayana the same as Vajrayana?
I'm reading a little bit from the Tibetan Buddhist lama Dhardo Rimpoche at the moment. He keeps referring to Tantrayana not Vajrayana when discussing Buddhist philosophy and practice. It's pretty ...
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2answers
965 views
Is there a specific practice that leads to a “rainbow body”
First of all is the "rainbow body" almost similar in the different lineages of Tibetan Buddhism? Then the above question.
Thanks
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3answers
248 views
What is Tantric Theravadan Buddhism?
I read somewhere that there are a number of Tantric Theravadan Buddhists practicing in Cambodia. What is Tantric Theravda and what are it's distinguishing practices? Can it be said to be a vajrayana ...
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9answers
296 views
Does sutta recitation actually entail understanding of the text?
I'm particularly interested in
Chinese morning and evening service
Tibetan sadhanas that a monk recites every day
Theravada Pali suttas and chants
Are these read in modern times by and to an ...
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2answers
214 views
How does Buddhism reconcile evolution with reincarnation? [closed]
If everyone in Tibet or Earth even for instance quit reproducing then how could a Lama reincarnate when his reincarnation depends on the freewill of the people who are reproducing?
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4answers
428 views
According to Buddha's characteristics and teaching in Pali Canon, could he have taught Vajrayana (and Karmamudra)?
One of the characteristics of Vajrayana is its secret transmission (esoteric tranmission) of certain teachings. The other one is the controversial karmamudra (sexual practice to reach spiritual ...
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1answer
322 views
Distinction between Dharmaguptaka and Mahayana
what's the distinction between Dharmaguptaka and Mahayana? I know that the former is an ordination lineage with specific vinaya as distinct from Theravada ordination, but I don't understand where ...
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6answers
264 views
To debate or not to debate? and When to debate? and How to debate?
When we have several people with different understanding of Buddhism, how should we decide who is right? Debate is very tempting in Buddhism, but on the other hand, we must respect other people's ...
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2answers
2k views
What is a Mudra and what do they mean?
In Buddhist iconography the figures are illustrated or depicted with various hand gestures. The symbolic hand gestures are called mudras. What is the significance of a Buddhist mudra? What are the ...
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3answers
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How do Buddhists use mudras?
This is a practice question. I know both Mahayana buddhists and Vajrayana buddhists use mudras. In the former they show up in inconography, and hand resting positions while meditating, in the later it'...
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6answers
266 views
Which Buddha do Buddhists take refuge in?
Does one take refuge into the concept of Buddhahood or refuge into Gautama Buddha? What about Vairocana Buddha or Amitābha Buddha for that matter? I've heard various things from taking refuge in a ...
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1answer
281 views
What is Completion Stage Meditation also known as Nispannakrama?
In Vajrayana there appears to be many different types and stages of mediation. One form is called "completion stage meditation" also known as nispannakrama. It appears to be associated with something ...
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2answers
2k views
What is Generation Stage Meditation also known as Utpattikrama?
There are many forms of meditation found in Buddhism. Zazen is possibly the most well know form of meditation in the West. However, in there are many different types of mediation. In Vajrayana ...
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What is a refuge tree?
What is the nature of a refuge tree(s)? How does one incorporate a refuge tree(s) into their practice?
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148 views
Sutra Study as Meditation?
When studying the sutras should that be considered a form of meditation, if so what are the guidelines for sutra meditation?
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Are there any cultural or religious guidelines for Buddhist tattoos?
I've notice people on Instagram are getting tattoos of Mahakala and other Buddhist deities. Are there any cultural or religious guidelines to consider when getting a tattoo of a Dharmapala or any ...
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1answer
111 views
Green Tara Light?
Recently, I heard a Tibetan nun Venerable Robin Courtin mention on a video that a meditator saw a green light while meditating. She mentioned it was associated with Green Tara. What is the green ...
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1answer
275 views
Mind-Stream Continuum's Origination?
What is the origination of the mind-stream continuum? What are the basic elements that make up the mind-stream continuum?
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2answers
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Buddhas of The Ten Directions
What are the Buddhas of the ten directions? What are the applications of this teaching in the Buddhist traditions?
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2answers
379 views
Sutras in Western Buddhism?
How should western practitioners approach the sutras? What are the most important sutras from the main Buddhist traditions for westerners to study? When studying the sutras should that be considered a ...
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1answer
222 views
What is a Vajrasattva?
I recently heard the term Vajrasattva and wondered if that is another term for a Bodhisattva? How does the Vajrasattva path differ from the path of a Bodhisattva?
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5answers
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What teachings do all schools of Buddhism share?
Among the many schools and traditions, what core teachings are shared by all Buddhists?
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How does Shambhala differ from traditional Vajrayana Buddhism as it is practiced in Asia?
How is Shambhala Buddhism as founded by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and continued by folks like Pema Chodron different from traditional Tantric Buddhism such as that practiced by the Dalai Lama? Does ...
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4answers
215 views
Vajrayana Buddhism relies on a teacher-pupil relationship. What in tradition or the literature explains how to find the appropriate teacher?
Vajrayana Buddhism is esoteric, 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 ...
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1answer
251 views
How is semchen (sentient being) defined?
Semchen is typically defined as a sentient being. What does this mean? What is sentience?
This question about killing bacteria indicates bacteria are not sentient, but I distinctly remember a guru ...
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2answers
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What are the main differences between the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana branches of Buddhism? [closed]
The question basically says it all, but I'll try to elaborate a bit:
Are there differences in terms of the concepts used in each of these branches?
Are there differences in the practices of each of ...
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2answers
580 views
Are Vajrayana and Tibetan Buddhism the same thing?
This is a hugely amateurish question, for which I apologize, but: are Vajrayana and Tibetan Buddhism the same thing? If not, how are they related?
In particular, does the term "Tibetan Buddhism" ...
