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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Is there a higher alaya in Vajrayana?
Is there a higher alaya in mahamudra that is separate from the lower alaya the vijnana skandha?
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1answer
56 views
Yama depiction on various Tankas
I saw many images of the circle of existence represented with Yama, the lord of death, with a tiger skin and a third eye. Why is he represented in this way?
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1answer
51 views
if deities are merely creations of mind,how can there be purelands?
relying on Guru Rinpoche is nothing but a skillful means for realizing and empowering ourselves with the phenomena of our own pure, joyful, and powerful perceptions and experiences, which arise from ...
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4answers
223 views
What are the differences between sex cults and the tantric tradition?
What is the difference between sex cults, and the tantric tradition? I understand that the latter has a lot of tradition and ritual behind it
And while there is a strict monastic code, I imagine, in ...
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0answers
41 views
Do Buddhas have any awareness at all? [duplicate]
I am asking moreso the mahayana/Vajrayana view as I know the theravada one.
do buddhas have any functional kind of awareness at all,or are they inert like rocks?a mahayanika told me that Buddhas have ...
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23 views
Any advice on reading Lamp that Integrates the Practices?
Any advice on reading Aryadeva's Lamp that Integrates the Practices? I have an English language translation, but never started it at all.
I've probably met with a tantric master -- but years ago, long ...
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2answers
153 views
Do Beings go into total unconsciousness before attaining Buddhahood?
I am asking the Vajrayana/Mahayana view as I already know the theravada view.I heard that Buddhas only have jnana and not vijnana wich means they are inert like rocks but 'act' based on past merit and ...
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2answers
63 views
Milarepa and Avalokiteshvara practice
In the Vajrayana tradition, where did Milarepa state that it was possible to use the practice of Chenrézik (Avalokiteshvara) instead of the one of Hevajra?
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2answers
166 views
What does female Buddha mean?
I got introduced to this "Female Buddha" when I was looking name for my friend's daughter.
So what does female Buddha mean?
Wikipedia :
Tara (Buddhism)
Tara (Sanskrit: तारा, tārā; Tib. ...
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2answers
133 views
Does Vajrayana Buddhism incorporate the use of cannabis?
I'm reading a Wikipedia article on Vajrayana Buddhism and it says: "In Tantric Buddhism, which originated in the Tibeto-Himalayan region, cannabis serves as an important part of a traditional ritual......
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How did Mahayana, Vajrayana and Triratna schools spread to the West? [closed]
I want to know how these schools spread to & across the West, any interesting circumstances?
Thanks
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2answers
74 views
Doesn't mahāyāna have a classification for jhānas?
Is it me or is it incredibly difficult to find resources on the 4 (or 8, with the arupas) jhānas and how to reach them in the mahāyāna/vajrayāna literature? Apart from vague references to samādhi in ...
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3answers
159 views
Does Vajrayana accept the idea that Buddha placed Lord Yama (a supposed Bodhisattva) in charge of the hell realms to ensure karmic retribution?
In reading this answer to another question I came across this link which is seemingly a Tibetan Buddhist site proclaiming the following:
In Buddhism the two beings that are often confused with the ...
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3answers
117 views
Is it a bad heavy karma to criticize or give up your guru?
"However it is said in the Guhyasamaja Root Tantra:"
"If sentient beings commit an action
As grave as the five heinous crimes
He [still] can attain the superior Vajra Vehicle,
But who from within ...
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0answers
84 views
What path does B. Alan Wallace teach?
I am long time student of Chogyam Trungpa. Unfortunately, the current situation at the sangha (now Shambhala International) is in a state of chaos. I am interested in becoming B. Alan Wallace's ...
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6answers
216 views
Why are there so many different paths?
I will admit I am just starting to look into buddhism and such. I am confused because so far I understand that the Satipatthana sutta provides everything anyone needs to become 'enlightened'.
If ...
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3answers
143 views
Satori and stream entry
Is Satori like a stage of stream entry? Is Satori only an intellectual knowing or something deeper than that?
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3answers
111 views
What will the Satipatthana Sutta teach me?
I am completely new to all this (buddhism, meditation etc...) but I really want to begin somewhere
I found this guy called Stephen Procter who has this free guided meditation program (52 guided ...
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1answer
70 views
Is sky burial ritual inhumane and if not what is the reason for doing it?
When it seems inhumane, why is it practiced?
I know Buddha didn't find.
Wikipedia document says:
Sky burial (Tibetan: བྱ་གཏོར་, Wylie: bya gtor, lit. "bird-scattered" is a funeral practice ...
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2answers
107 views
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
309 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
112 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
136 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
2k 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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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
796 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
442 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
555 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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4answers
405 views
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
133 views
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
46 views
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
448 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
257 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
128 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
177 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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3answers
5k 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
2k views
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
312 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
913 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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1answer
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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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6answers
590 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
2k views
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
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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
297 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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399 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
229 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
572 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
414 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
331 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
3k 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 ...
