Vajrayana

E59438

Vajrayana is a form of Buddhism known for its esoteric teachings, tantric practices, and use of ritual and symbolism as rapid paths to enlightenment.

All labels observed (15)

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (76)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Buddhist tradition
esoteric Buddhism
form of Buddhism
tantric Buddhism
basedOn Mahayana
surface form: Mahayana Buddhism
coreConcept deity yoga
emphasis on rapid path to enlightenment
esoteric teachings transmitted through initiation
guru devotion
transformation of passions into wisdom
use of mandalas
use of mantras
use of mudras
use of ritual as a path to awakening
use of symbolism as a path to awakening
use of tantric methods as path to enlightenment
view of enlightenment as already present nature of mind
developedFrom Indian Buddhism
surface form: Indian Mahayana Buddhism
distinguishedBy complex ritual systems
secret or restricted teachings
use of sacred sound
use of sacred visualization
emphasizes bodhicitta
emptiness view
pure perception of all phenomena
union of wisdom and method
etymologyLanguage Sanskrit
etymologyMeaning Vajra means thunderbolt or diamond
Yana means vehicle
flourishedIn Himalayan region
Mongolia
Tibet Autonomous Region
surface form: Tibet
hasAlternativeName Diamond Vehicle
Vajrayana
surface form: Esoteric Buddhism

Vajrayana
surface form: Mantrayana

Secret Mantra Vehicle
Vajrayana
surface form: Tantric Buddhism

Thunderbolt Vehicle
hasEthicalBasis Bodhisattva vows
tantric vows
hasGoal Buddhahood in one lifetime
swift attainment of enlightenment
hasKeyFigure lama
tantric guru
vajra master
hasLineageStructure teacher to disciple transmission
hasScripturalBasis Tantra
surface form: Buddhist tantras

Mahayana sutras
historicalPeriodOfFormation mid first millennium CE
includesPractice guru yoga
initiation ceremonies
mandala offering
mantra recitation
tantric ritual
visualization of deities
yoga of subtle body channels and winds
originatedIn India
presentIn Bhutan
China
Japan
Korean Peninsula
surface form: Korea

Nepal
Western countries
relatedTradition Esoteric Buddhism in East Asia
Shingon Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism
requires empowerment from qualified teacher
oral transmission of texts
secret instructions
requiresPrerequisite Mahayana motivation
understanding of emptiness
sharesDoctrinesWith Mahayana
surface form: Mahayana Buddhism
usesSymbol bell
mandala
ritual implements
vajra

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (149)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Tantra hasBranch Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Tantra hasBranch Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Mantrayana
Isipatana associatedWithTradition Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayāna Buddhism
Sahajiya traditions associatedWith Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Buddhist Vajrayana
Deer Park religiousTradition Vajrayana
subject surface form: Deer Park, Sarnath
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Swayambhunath associatedWith Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Khotanese language associatedReligion Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Esoteric Buddhism
Newar religion Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Devapala supported Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Sherpa people religion Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Indian Buddhism hasSchool Vajrayana
Indian Buddhism hasSchool Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Esoteric Buddhism
dependent origination centralToTradition Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayāna Buddhism
Māyādevī veneratedIn Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayāna Buddhism
Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī veneratedIn Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Rāhula veneratedIn Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayāna Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism followsVehicle Vajrayana
Four Arya Truths tradition Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Catvāri Āryasatyāni associatedWith Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayāna Buddhism
Three Marks of Existence centralIn Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayāna Buddhism
Truth of suffering studiedIn Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Three Baskets usedIn Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Three Jewels of Buddhism practicedIn Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Sanggha coreConceptIn Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Three Refuges usedIn Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Triple Gem usedIn Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Buddhist flags usedIn Vajrayana
subject surface form: Buddhist flag
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Bo tree locatedInTradition Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Heart Sutra practicedIn Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Mongolian Buddhism
Kukai associatedWith Vajrayana
subject surface form: Kūkai
this entity surface form: Esoteric Buddhism
Tusita Heaven scripturalTradition Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayāna Buddhism
Bodhisattva of the Future veneratedIn Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Enchin movement Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Esoteric Buddhism
Vikramashila monastery ruins associatedWith Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Buddha’s discourses influence Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Secret Mantra Vehicle hasAlternativeName Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Tantric Buddhism
Secret Mantra Vehicle hasAlternativeName Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Mantrayana
Secret Mantra Vehicle hasAlternativeName Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Secret Mantra Vajrayana
Thunderbolt Vehicle relatedConcept Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Mantrayana
Thunderbolt Vehicle relatedConcept Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Tantric Buddhism
Diamond Vehicle hasAlternativeName Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Tantric Buddhism
vajra centralConceptIn Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Bodhi tradition Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
druk (thunder dragon) religiousTradition Vajrayana
subject surface form: Druk
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Bhutanese national flag religionReferenced Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Jonang school tradition Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism
Nyingma school hasDoctrine Vajrayana
this entity surface form: Vajrayana Buddhism