Vajrayna (Sanskrit: , Bengali: ) is also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayna, Mantrayna, Secret Mantra, Esoteric Buddhism and the Diamond Way or Thunderbolt Way. The Lama and the Guru yoga are central in this system.[1] Vajrayna is a complex and multifaceted system of Buddhist thought and practice which evolved over several centuries.

According to Vajrayna scriptures[which?], the term Vajrayna refers to one of three vehicles or routes to enlightenment, the other two being the rvakayna (also known as the Hnayna) and Mahyna. Note that Hinayna (or Nikaya) is not to be confused with Theravada (a practice lineage), although it is sometimes equated to it.

Founded by Indian Mahsiddhas, Vajrayna subscribes to Buddhist tantric literature.

Although the first tantric Buddhist texts appeared in India in the 3rd century and continued to appear until the 12th century, scholars such as Hirakawa Akira assert that the Vajrayna probably came into existence in the 6th or 7th century, while the term Vajrayna itself first appeared in the 8th century. The Vajrayna was preceded by the Mantrayna, and then followed by the Sahajayna and Kalacakrayna.

The period of Indian Vajrayna Buddhism has been classified as the fifth or final period of Buddhism in India. Vajrayna literature does not appear in the Pli Canon and the Agamas.

Although the Vajrayana claims to be as ancient and authentic as any other Buddhist school, it may have grown up gradually in an environment with previously existing texts such as the Mahasannipata and the Ratnaketudharani. The basic position of Vajrayana is still the same as the early Buddhist position of anatta. The changes that took place reflected the changing society of medieval India: the presentation changed, the techniques of the way to enlightenment changed, and the outward appearance of Buddhism came to be dominated by ritualism and arrays of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and gods and goddesses.

There are differing views as to where in the Indian sub-continent that Vajrayna began. There are assumptions about the origin of Vajrayana in Bengal,Oddiyana, located at Odisha, or in the modern-day Swat District in Pakistan.

The earliest texts appeared around the early 4th century. Nlanda in East India became a center for the development of Vajrayana theory, although it is likely that the university followed, rather than led, the early tantric movement.

Only from the 7th or the beginning of the 8th century, tantric techniques and approaches increasingly dominated Buddhist practice in India. From the 7th century onwards many popular religious elements of a heterogeneous nature were incorporated into Mahayana Buddhism, which finally resulted in the appearance of the Sahaja-siddhi tantras, the Kalachakra tantra and Vajrayna. These new tantric movements introduced mantra, mudra and mandala along with a respectful attitude towards women and denial of the caste system in India.

India would continue as the source of leading-edge Vajrayana practices up until the 11th century, producing many renowned mahasiddhas.

View original post here:
Vajrayana - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia