1. What's 'Vajrayana'?
2. What's Tantra?
3. What
are Lineages?
4. What does 'Taking Refuge' mean?
5. What is
an 'Empowerment'?
6. What's a 'Root Lama'?
7. Aren't lamas
pack animals?
8. What are Yidams?
9. What are those wrathful
looking beings?
1. What's Vajrayana?/How is Tibetan Buddhism different?
Vajarayana
is the most popular form of Buddhism in Tibet. Vajrayana (also
'Mantrayana') is the third of the three vehicle of Buddhism.
'Yana' means 'vehicle'.
The teachings of the Buddha are divided
into three yanas: Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Theravada,
the most popular school of Hinayana ('Lesser Vehicle') concentrates
on discipline and virtue. Mahayana concentrates more on altruistic
motivations (compassion) and wisdom. All three incorporate
discipline, compassion, and wisdom with different methods and
motivations toward the common aspiration for Enlightenment.
In Vajrayana ('Diamond Vehicle') the central Mahayana themes
of compassion and emptiness are dealt with using symbolic and
practical systems of technique and understanding. There is
the belief that enlightenment can be attained through the proper
combination of wisdom and compassion. The three vehicles should
not be considered as in conflict with each other. Hinaya is
a foundation for Mahayana, just as Mahayana is for Vajrayana.
2. What are tantras?/What is Tantra?
The tantras
are the root scriptures of Vajrayana. The tantras are texts
ascribed to the Buddha in various manifestations. They usually
describe the mandala, mantra,
and practice associated with a particular deity/enlightened
being. The sexual symbolism of tantric sacred art has led to
some misunderstandings. Tantric texts are not 'pillow books',
and their practice depends on discipline, not indulgence. (Article
- Tantra Techniques Of Buddhism)
3. What are the Lineages?/What is a lineage?
Tibetan
Buddhism focuses strongly on maintaining a continuity of teaching
traced back to the Buddha. The relationship of the student
to the teacher (lama or guru) is very important. This continuity
is maintained through practice lineages. The true teachings
can only be passed from a living teacher to a living student,
and cannot be learned properly from books. Sometimes the teachers
are in supernatural form. A lineage isn't exactly a 'school',
but the analogy is helpful for a basic discussion. Tibetan
Buddhism has four main lineages: Gelug(school of the Dalai
Lama), Kagyu, Sakya, and Nyingma. Each of these has further
divisions as well (such as Karma Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu).
Gelug is considered the 'newest', started in 1409 with the
foundation of Gaden Monastery. Popular thought is that Gelugpas
emphasize monastic discipline and intellectual acuity, Kagyupas
meditation, Sakyapas scholarly activity, and Nyingmapas guru
devotion. These emphases should not be exaggerated though;
all the schools advocate all forms of dharma activity.
4. What
is 'Taking Refuge'?
The Buddhist path begins with taking refuge.
We take refuge in the three jewels, Buddha, Dharma, and the
Sangha. The Buddha serves as our example, Dharma as our path,
and the Sangha as our companions on the path. Tibetan Buddhism
adds three more refuges(The Three Roots): the Lama(s), the
assemblage of Yidams (meditational deities), and the assemblage
of Guardians (Herukas, Dakinis, Dharmapalas). On the physical
level this is just repeating the vow, but there is an inner
level. We are surrendering to forces within us that are more
continuous than our transient ego, and asserting our commitment
to unfreezing these forces to let them work through us.
5. What is an 'Empowerment'?
Empowerments are further developments
of what is started by taking refuge. These are 'initiations'
that help clear away obstacles to our seeing things as they
truly are. The Tibetan word is 'wangkur' (dbang-skur), 'wang'
is something like 'power'. The power is in the sense that the
person is allowing greater scope to more fundamentally wholesome
aspects operating within. Empowerments usually involve a ritual
where the lama purifies the aspirant and introduces him/her
to a mandala, which is described fully and the associated mantra
(a chant). The aspirant is encouraged to consider the mandala
as a representation of his/her true nature. The Empowerment
of a deity helps to develop the particular psychological aspect
s/he represents.
6. What's a 'Root Lama'?
'Root Lama' refers
to a teacher from whom one had received the empowerments, instructions,
and precepts that form the center of one's own practice.
7. Aren't lamas pack animals?
No, those are llamas. Lama is a
title much like the Sanskrit 'Guru'. Lamas are experienced
and learned buddhist teachers. The term is often used to refer
to the members of the 'clergy' in general. The word comes from
the Tibetan 'la' (from 'la na me pa'), "insurpassable",
plus 'ma', "mother". The allusion is to the great
compassion a mother has for her child. As sources for refuge(see
#4) they are the Root of Spiritual Blessing, which they bestow
on us in Empowerments(see #5).
8. What are Yidams?
(See #4
on Taking Refuge) Yidams are meditational deities that symbolize
various aspects Enlightenment. As sources for refuge they are
the Root of Accomplishments. Accomplishments refers to the
Supreme Accomplishment of Buddhahood, and ordinary accomplishments
of long life, wealth, etc.
9. What are those wrathful looking
beings?
Dharma Protectors and Guardians, they are embodiments
of Wisdom. They are usually represented having a terrifying
appearance; they are invoked to eliminate obstacles to the
path toward Enlightenment. As sources of refuge they (along
with Dakas and Dakinis) are the Root of All Buddha Activity.
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Details: From - FAQ for alt.religion.buddhism.tibetan |
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