Vajrayana

Vajrayana

"Diamond Chariot", "Vajra Chariot", "Vajra Path", "Chariot of the Secret Mantra", Tantrayana

Vajrayana is a tantric direction in Buddhism that arose within the Mahayana tradition around the 3rd-5th centuries AD. The Sanskrit word vajra means a scepter or diamond, which symbolizes the indestructibility and purity of the awakened state of mind. And yāna means path, guide, the vehicle or method of arriving at knowledge, the means of release from repeated births. 

Vajrayana is based on the philosophical teachings of the Mahayana: the theory of Tathagatagarbha, Yogacara, and Madhyamaka (shunyavada), the developer of which is considered to be the legendary maha-siddha Nagarjuna. In the Natha tradition, he is known under the name Naganath or Nagarjunanath, so according to one of the Natha legends, he founded the Raval-panth. The teachings of Nagarjuna equated samsara and nirvana, recognizing their identity. The originality of the Vajrayana is associated with the unification of Skillful Methods (upaya) with the Highest Knowledge (prajna), that is, the principle of unifying two polarities – the feminine and masculine principles. The main methods of transforming ordinary consciousness are veneration of a spiritual mentor who transmits initiation (abhisheka), visualization of yidams, and yogic practice based on working with the “subtle” body (prana, nadi, bindu). Also, an important means of achieving liberation is the practice of the "secret mantra", which is why Vajrayana is often called "mantrayana". In Tantrayana, complete realization is achieved in faster, but also dangerous ways. The doctrine itself says that with the help of its methods, a practitioner can achieve enlightenment within one life. A characteristic feature of Vajrayana, unlike other forms of Buddhism, is a multi-structured pantheon of deities, saints, and various classes of beings. Vajrayana is widespread in Nepal, Mongolia, and Japan (Shingon-shu school), and was especially widespread in Tibet by the grace of the great tantric master Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) in the 8th century, where it was adopted as the main state religion. Subsequently, separate Vajrayana schools began to emerge in Tibet, each of which specialized in certain transmission lines, its own yogic methods, as well as texts ("tantras") covering practice and theory.

Major schools of Tibetan Vajrayana:

Nyingma ("ancient" or "school of old translations") is the first of the schools that appeared in Tibet with the help of Guru Padmasambhava. In this school, tantras are divided into 6 classes: three "external" tantras – Kriya Tantra, Yoga Tantra, Ubhaya Tantra, and three "internal" Tantras – Maha Yoga, Annu Yoga, Ati Yoga (Dzogchen). A characteristic feature is the division into a monastic community and a community of lay yogis. The yidam Deities are Vajrakilaya and Hayagriva, and the main guardians of the teaching are Ekajati, Rahula, and Dorje Legpa. In Nyingma, the mula tantra of the Mahayoga tantra class is the Guhyagarbha tantra. The practice of tantra is studied in the Nyingma based on this tantra.

Kagyu (Line of Four Transmissions) – leads its lineage from Mahasiddha Tilopa. The lineage was brought to Tibet by Marpa Lotsava ("translator"), who in turn was a disciple of the great Siddha Yogi Milarepa. The school is famous for the practices of the Six Yogas of Naropa, as well as the teachings of Mahamudra.

Sakya (Gray Land), founded in the 11th century, belongs to the schools of new translations (Sarma). The founder of the school is Konchok Jyalpo, who came from the Khon princely family. Sakya teachings place great importance on the practices of the intermediate state (bardo). The main yidam of the school is Hevajra, and the main defender of the teaching is the Four-Armed Mahakala. The line's roots go back to Mahasiddha Virupa, who in the Nath tradition is better known as Virupakshanath. Virupakshanath is included in the list of Chaurasi Siddhas (84 Natha Yogis). The main tantras of the schools of the new translation (sarma) are the tantras of the cycles: Guhyasamaja, Chakrasamvara, Hevajra, Kalachakra, Mahamaya, and Chaturpitha.

Gelug or Kadam ("virtuous tradition") is one of the largest schools in Tibet, founded by the famous Buddhist reformer and scholar Tsongkhapa Lopsang Trakpa in the 14th century. The school emphasizes the rules of strict monastic discipline and serious theoretical training for monks, as well as a thorough study of sutra and tantra.

The most important canonical texts for various Vajrayana tradition are the Guhyasamaja Tantra, Hevajra Tantra, Vajrabhairava Tantra, and Chakrasamvara Tantra.