Vajrayāna/Mantrayāna/Tantrayāna: Tibetan Buddhism

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Vajrayāna, Mantrayāna, Tantrayāna, Tibetan Buddhism, Tantric Buddhism, and Esoteric Buddhism are terms referring to the various Buddhist traditions of Tantra and “Secret Mantra”, which developed in medieval India and spread to Tibet, Bhutan, and East Asia.

Vajrayāna is usually translated as Diamond Vehicle or Thunderbolt Vehicle, referring to the vajra, a mythical weapon which is also used as a ritual implement. Founded by medieval Indian Mahāsiddhas, Vajrayāna subscribes to the literature known as the Buddhist Tantras. It includes practices that make use of mantras, Dharanis, mudras, mandalas, and the visualization of deities and Buddhas.

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.



Monks attending the 2003 Kalachakra empowerment in Bodhgaya, India. Some empowerment ceremonies can include large numbers of initiates.
Credits information for the only education to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrayana 

Location: India

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