Vajrayana

"Buddhist tantra" and "Esoteric Buddhism" redirect here. For the esoteric Buddhist scriptures, see Buddhist tantric literature. For the book by A. P. Sinnett, see Esoteric Buddhism (book).
A vajra and bell (ghanta), which are classic ritual symbols of Vajrayāna
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Vajrayāna (Sanskrit: वज्रयान; lit. 'vajra vehicle'), also known as Mantrayāna ('mantra vehicle'), Mantranāya ('path of mantra'), Guhyamantrayāna ('secret mantra vehicle'), Tantrayāna ('tantra vehicle'), Tantric Buddhism, and Esoteric Buddhism, is a Buddhist tradition of tantric practice that developed in Medieval India. Tantrism, which originated within Hinduism during the first millennium CE, significantly influenced South Asian Mahāyāna Buddhism, giving rise to distinct Buddhist tantric traditions. Emerging in the 7th century CE, these traditions spread across Southeast, East, and Central Asia, leading to distinct East Asian and Tibetan practices.[1][2]

Vajrayāna practices are connected to specific lineages in Buddhism, through the teachings of lineage holders. Others might generally refer to these texts as the Buddhist Tantras.[3] It includes practices that make use of mantras, dharanis, mudras, mandalas and the visualization of deities and Buddhas.

According to contemporary historical scholarship, Vajrayāna practice originated in the tantric era of medieval India (c. the 5th century CE onwards). However, traditionally, the adherents and texts of Vajrayāna claim these teachings have been passed down by an unbroken lineage going back to the historical Buddha (c. the 5th century BCE) or to other mythical Buddhas and bodhisattvas (e.g. Vajrapani).[4]

According to Vajrayāna scriptures, the term Vajrayāna refers to one of three vehicles or routes to enlightenment, the other two being the Śrāvakayāna (also known pejoratively as the Hīnayāna) and Mahāyāna (a.k.a. Pāramitāyāna).

There are several Buddhist tantric traditions that are currently practiced, including Tibetan Buddhism, Chinese Esoteric Buddhism, Shingon Buddhism and Newar Buddhism. Historically, there were also other esoteric Buddhist traditions, such as that of maritime Southeast Asia, which are no longer practiced today.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Gray, David B. (2023). The Buddhist Tantras: A Guide. Oxford University Press. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-19-762383-1.
  3. ^ Buswell 2004, pp. 875–876.
  4. ^ Gray 2007, pp. ix–x.