Also known as Mantrayana, Tantrayana, Tantric Buddhism, and Esoteric Buddhism, Vajrayana Buddhism is a form of Tibetan Buddhism, and sometimes identified as such.
Vajrayana is usually translated as Diamond Vehicle or Thunderbolt Vehicle, in reference to the Vajra, a mythical weapon that is also used as a ritual instrument.
The history of Vajrayana Buddhism is unalterably tied to that of Tibet. Sparsely populated and too arid to support cities, Buddhist monasteries served as community centers for wandering Tibetan nomads.
Although Tibetans have received a lot of sympathy in recent years for being attacked by the Chinese, they actually started it by ravaging the Chinese capital in 763 CE, during the Tang dynasty.
In 1721, about a thousand years later, the Chinese declared Tibet to be a vassal state, which it remained until 1911 when the Chinese gave up on Tibet for a period of about forty years.
During this time, the Tibetans created a government, a monetary system, postal system, and a military. However, no foreign country recognized Tibet as a sovereign nation, nor did anyone come to their aid when China took over again in 1950.
The original religion of Tibet was a shamanistic faith known as Bön, which still exists in remote regions of Tibet.
Buddhism came to Tibet in 747 CE through a Kashmiri missionary named Padma-Sambhava, who had been trained in a branch of Buddhism called Tantra. Some Buddhists honor him as the second Buddha.
Following complaints that there was too much sex and drinking going on, another missionary, Atisha, was sent from India to set things right. Atisha argued that Tantra was not right for everyone. In addition to the Theravadan and Mahayanan paths, both of which were active in Tibet, Atisha founded what Tibetans called Vajrayana, the Way of the Thunderbolt, or the Diamond Vehicle.
The Vajrayana path of Tibetan Buddhism is made up of four sects: Red Hats, Kagyupa, Sakyapa, and Yellow Hats (Gelug).
The Red Hats are also known as the Ancient Ones, who trace their heritage back to the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, Padma-Sambhava, and still use several Tantric texts, as well as elements of the old Bön religion. For this reason, they are denounced by some of the other sects.
The Kagyupa (Kagyu) school came about in the 11th century, and was founded in Tibet by Marpa, who learned Buddhism from Naropa, an Indian Buddhist. The Kagyupa relies heavily on oral traditions passed from lama to disciple.
The Sakyapa (Sakya) sect also came about in the 11th century, and also focuses on Tantric practices.
The Yellow Hats (Merit System Ones) are the sect that is headed by the Dalai Lama. The Yellow Hats were founded by Tsongkha-pa in the 15th century, but increased in the 17th century.
Although early Mahayana sutras contained some elements that are emphasized in the Tantras, Vajrayana Buddhism developed a large body of texts known as the Buddhist Tantras, going back to the 7th century CE or earlier.
Vajrayana Buddhism is a unique Tibetan form of Tantra, which no more resembles Hindu Tantra than it does Theravada or Mahayana Buddhism.
Tibetan Buddhism holds that the world, as we see it, is projected from our own minds. The only true reality is what is known as clear light, which is a pure consciousness. Tibetan Buddhism holds the disciple responsible for the success or failure of his training.
Like all Buddhists, Tibetan Buddhists believe in reincarnation, which is an essential component of karma. Unlike other Buddhist groups, Tibetans believe that it is possible for a person to know whom one was reincarnated from.
The mandala is an aid to meditation for Indian and Tibetan Buddhists. It is a Sanskrit word meaning "circular," as roundness is an indication of perfection and completeness. Some mandalas are square, triangular, or polygonal, but they are symmetrical. In the center of the mandala is a Buddha figure, usually, who is viewed as Adi-Buddha, the primeval Buddha from whom all Buddhas come. Surrounding the central Buddha are four subordinate deities, each at a compass point. Interspersed between these deities are other divine figures.
Prayer wheels are unique to Tibetan Buddhism and contain holy chants and mantras. Usually, the worshipper turns the prayer wheel by hand, but wind and water are sometimes used. It is important to turn the wheel clockwise, as counter-clockwise turns are believed to be capable of unleashing demons.
The Tibetan Book of the Dead (Bardo Thodol) is a map of the afterworld that teaches the dying how to reach liberation, the state beyond all states.
Lama is a title used for a teacher of the Dharma in Tibetan Buddhism. Not all Buddhist monks are lamas. Monks are considered students, while lamas are teachers.
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Recommended Resources
Following the teachings of Aro gTér, a lineage within the Nyingma school of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, received by Ngakpa Chögyam, a Western-born Buddhist, who founded the organization in the 1980s. The community is summarized, including its practices, sutras, programs, and teachings. Lamas, other Aro teachings, and apprentices are acknowledged, membership information and ways to help are outlined.l.
http://arobuddhism.org/
Based on a pure vision terma that teaches Buddhist topics from the point of view of Dzogchen, a tradition of teachings in Tibetan Buddhism aimed at discovering a natural state of being, the Aro gTér terma was received by Ngakpa Chögyam. Founded in the 1980s, it is a stream of Vajrayana Buddhism that holds that ordination is congruous with romance, marriage, and family life, focusing on the teachings of the Inner Tantras.
http://www.aroter.org/
Buddhist Incense and Ritual Resource Supplier
Formed to provide Tibetan Buddhist practitioners with resources for rituals, including wholesale orders of incense, stupas, Norma, and other items, the retail/wholesale provider is based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Its location, hours of operation, products, and services are featured here, including photographs of products, descriptions, prices, and online sales, as well as an overview of the company.
https://buddhistritualresource.com/
His Holiness, The 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet
The Dalai Lama is the head of the Yellow Hat sect of the Vajrayana Buddhism, who believe the Dalai Lamas to be the manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and the patron saint of Tibet. A biography of the Dalai Lama and previous Dalai Lamas are presented, along with a public schedule, news stories, a photo gallery, video gallery, and his messages, teachings, and interviews.
https://www.dalailama.com/
Founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Kadampa Buddhism is in the New Kadampa Tradition and associated with the International Kadampa Buddhist Union, a Vajrayana/Tibetan Buddhist movement. An introduction to the movement, its temples, and its centers are set forth, along with a calendar of events, photographs, and video. Books on Buddhism and meditation may be viewed and purchased online.
https://kadampa.org/
Led by monks trained and ordained in Theravada Buddhism, the Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery, in Sri Lanka, is a place for anyone to learn and practice the teachings of the Buddha. An introduction its founder, the monastery, and its affiliated Anagarika Nuns’ Monastery, are set forth, along with its worldwide branches. Its programs, projects, and activities are discussed, and various English-language Dhamma books are available for purchase.
https://mahamevnawabm.org/
Kadampa refers to the 14th-century Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. In the 1990s, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso founded the New Kadampa Tradition. Available in English, French, German, Dutch, and Spanish, the site offers a summary of the New Kadampa Tradition, a biography of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, as well as his writings. The Dalai Lama and Tibetan government in exile are featured, and several articles of apologetics are included.
http://www.newkadampatruth.org/
Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the non-sectarian center offers programs of Buddhist studies and Tibetan culture, taught by Tibetan monks, lamas, and other Tibetan teachers, as well as those intended to promote relationships between Tibetans and Westerners. Its location, hours of operation, and gift shop are featured, and its programs, community services, membership policies, photos, and video are included.
http://www.rimecenter.org/
Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism
Located in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, the monastery houses monks, but is also a community of lay practitioners of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism, and part of the Vajrayana tradition. The facility, its history, lamas, Sakya centers, and spiritual services are set forth, along with membership information, a calendar of classes, retreats, and other events. Photos, video, and other resources are included.
https://www.sakya.org/
Informational articles by various authors cover the basics of Buddhism, meditation, the mind, enlightenment, Buddhist traditions, and Vajrayana, as well as comparisons between various schools and movements in Buddhism. Buddhism in Western countries, cases of abuse, and changes in the Buddhist traditions are set forth, along with Buddhism and science, a Buddhist theology of sexuality, and secularism.
https://info-buddhism.com/
