Vajrayana Buddhism
© Yeshe Chodon
The next few articles in the Buddhism section will introduce and briefly describe the major Buddhist traditions. Most of the words, except those that come from personal experience, are borrowed, as these sources cannot be improved upon. Links and references are provided, and abundant thanks given for the work of so many others.
The largest distinction is between Hinayana (Sanskrit for "little vehicle"), also called Theravada (Pali for "old doctrine") Buddhism practiced widely in Burma, Sri Lanka, and Thailand; and Mahayana (Sanskrit for "great vehicle") Buddhism found in China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, and Tibet.
All Buddhist practice (from the Sanskrit word meaning "enlightened one") stems from the teachings of Siddharta Gautama Buddha (ca.563 - ca.483 B.C.), and has much in common,[ there were many Buddhas before this one, but this one was the Buddha of our age] , but initially the focus will be on distinctions between the different traditions.
This month's article introduces Vajrayana Buddhism, a tradition within Mahayana Buddhism. Vajrayana is commonly associated with Tibetan and Mongolian practice, but is spreading across the planet with increasing momentum.
In the book Gates to Buddhist Practice by Chugdud Tulku Rinpoche (p. 102-104) we get an overview:
We take refuge in the Three Jewels-the Buddha, dharma, and sangha....the sacred dharma [is] the teachings of the Buddha and the methods he used to achieve enlightenment...These methods are generally divided into nine categories, comprising three basic approaches: the Hinayana path of personal salvation, the Mahayana path of those seeking liberation for all beings, and the Vajrayana teachings within the Mahayana, often referred to as the "short path."
(p. 109)...we...aim at the target of enlightenment for the benefit of others every moment we practice. This is the best of all possible goals. ...This is why...we are told to establish the liberation of all beings as the purpose of our practice.
(p. 211)The lives of great practitioners repeatedly show that in order to maintain one's practice of the dharma it's not necessary to renounce the world....There's no need to make an outer display to succeed on the spiritual path. It's not the body we change to become enlightened-it's the mind.
For further introduction to the different Buddhist lineages, and to basic Buddhist concepts, read BUDDHIST BASICS: The ABC's of Buddhism, at http://www.tricycle.com/buddhismabcs.html
To quote from this article:
The Mahayana school, or "Great Vehicle," developed in India during the first century C.E. It is called the "Great Vehicle" because of its all-inclusive approach to liberation as embodied in the bodhisattva ideal and the desire to liberate all beings. Mahayanists strongly emphasize compassion as the ultimate form of practice; in conjunction with wisdom, it is believed to be the formula for enlightenment.
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