Budhist Tantra??

topic posted Mon, February 4, 2008 - 3:08 PM by  maximilian


The Budhist Tantra its Wonderfull
Tantrayana techniques in Vajrayana Buddhism are techniques used to attain Buddhahood. Vajrayana partially relies on various Tantric techniques rooted in scriptures known as Tantras, written in Nepal. The most important aspect of the Tantric path is to 'use the result as the Path'; which means that rather than placing full enlightenment as a goal far away in the future, one tries to identify with the enlightened body, speech and mind of a Buddha. The buddha-form which one can best relate to is called the yidam (Tibetan) or (Sanskrit: ishtadevata) or 'personal buddha-form'. In order to achieve this self-identification with a buddha-form, much symbolism and visualization is used in Buddhist Tantric Techniques.
Secrecy is a cornerstone of Tantric Buddhism, simply to avoid the practices from harming oneself and others without proper guidance. It is not even allowed to explain the full symbolism and psychology of the practice to the uninitiated, which leads to misunderstanding and dismissal. Tantric techniques may initially appear to consist of ritualistic nonsense; however, it should only be practiced on the basis of a thorough understanding of Buddhist Philosophy and strictly following the traditions.

Tantric techniques include:

repetition of special ritual phrases (Mantras),
use of various yoga techniques such as Trul Khor, including breath control (Pranayama), yantra and the use of special hand positions (Mudras)
use of an extensive vocabulary of visual aids, such as cosmic mandala diagrams which teach and map pathways to spiritual enlightenment
the use of ritual objects such as the vajra and bell (ghanta), phurba, hand drum (damaru), and many other symbolic tools and musical instruments
use of specialized rituals rooted in Vajrayana cosmology and beliefs
importance of a guru-disciple relationship, for example by ritual 'empowerments' or 'initiations' wherein the student obtains permission to practice a particular Tantra.
of most importance are the oral transmissions given by a tantric master. These teachings are only given personally from teacher to student and are secret, because they demand a certain maturity of the student. Otherwise they might have a negative effect. Such Teachings describe certain aspects of the mind and how to attain them, realize them by certain practices that can be dangerous to ones health if not prepared thoroughly, as such states of mind are normally experienced at the time of death. A mature Yogi 'dies' in the Meditation and comes back again, experiencing all the levels of the Mind
posted by:
maximilian
Mexico
  • Re: Budhist Tantra??

    Tue, February 5, 2008 - 11:32 AM
    Just for clarity (and Maximilian may well be aware of this) "yantra" and "trul khor" ('phul 'khor) are the same word and have the same referents. Yantra is Sanskrit and 'phrul 'khor is the Tibetan translation of the word yantra. They don't refer to different things (although there are many types of things that the term refers to: yoga techniques, machines, geometric diagrams etc).
  • Re: Budhist Tantra??

    Tue, March 11, 2008 - 4:51 AM
    "relies on various Tantric techniques rooted in scriptures known as Tantras, written in Nepal"

    I just wanted to point out that ther are many different Tantras and they come from many regions, not just Nepal.
    • Re: Budhist Tantra??

      Mon, March 31, 2008 - 2:34 AM
      Is true!!!, It is a mistake of Keyboard (again) ... lineages of Vajrayana Buddhism, can be found in The Kingdom of Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia, and basically in the Traditions: Kargiupa, Niyngmapa, and Sakyapa of Buddhism in Tibet.

      My basic intention is to show the community that Buddhism is not only, "Shamata Vipassana"...
  • Re: Budhist Tantra??

    Fri, March 21, 2008 - 9:16 AM
    Vajrayana Buddhism used to be widespread throughout India and all of Asia. Today it is best known in Central Asia, where it is often referred to as "Tibetan Buddhism". But it is still very much a part of the Buddhism of China, Japan and Korea.

    An excellent book on the subject is "Tantric Buddhism in East Asia". A friend recently lent it to me - it has two excellent chapters on Esoteric Buddhism in Korea, as well as four chapters on Japanese Buddhism, a chapter on Chinese Buddhism - and three chapters on different "Dieites and Practices".

    In practice all forms of Buddhism in China, Korea and Japan have been influenced by Tantra, and incorporate Tantric concepts and practices. This is especially true of Chinese and Korean Buddhism, in which Tantric practices pervade most "schools" of Buddhism.
    • Re: Budhist Tantra??

      Wed, March 26, 2008 - 3:07 PM
      Don't forget however that Tibetan Buddhism contains the foundations of the Vinaya and morality in the Hinayana and Bodhicitta and the six paramita in the Mahayana. Both of these respectively are necessary for the successful practice of Vajrayana, firstly one needs morality, followed by compassion and lastly wisdom is emphasized. One cannot achieve the higher realisations without the foundations of the path.
      • Re: Budhist Tantra??

        Tue, April 1, 2008 - 12:28 AM
        Vey Nice words.
        yes it's true, without that Etics and the Bodisatthva vows.we can be totally LOST...
        My basic intention is to show the community that Buddhism is not only, "Shamata Vipassana"...
        • Re: Budhist Tantra??

          Sat, April 12, 2008 - 1:06 AM
          I think it's a common misperception that Vipasana and Shamatha are the path.

          They are not and never were, however, they are tools on the path and are therefore complimentary to the path.

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