Transcript Document

Vajrayāna (Tantric) Buddhism
Jeffrey L. Richey, Ph.D.
REL 260
Buddhism
Berea College
Spring 2004
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WHAT IS TANTRA?
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Tantra (Sanskrit: “warp” of
loom, “strands” of braid) =
Indian esoteric tradition in
Buddhism, Hinduism, and
Jainism
Outgrowth of Mahāyāna
speculation about timing of
enlightenment, as well as
interaction with Hindu bhākti
Under supervision of siddha
(saint), devotees use powerful,
dangerous, often transgressive
techniques to obtain
enlightenment quickly
Vajrayāna = “diamond” or
thunderbolt” vehicle
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TANTRIC MEDITATION
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Under a guru (Tibetan: lama),
devotees visualize and identify
with Buddhas and bodhisattvas
within in order to achieve
enlightenment, using ritual
elements as catalysts for
transforming consciousness:
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kāma (desire, especially sexual)
mantra (sacred words)
mudrā (ritual gestures)
mandala (cosmic diagrams)
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Two types of tantra:
1.
“Right-handed” – internal and
spiritual (knowledge-oriented)
“Left-handed” – external and
concrete (action-oriented)
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TANTRIC MUDRĀS
“Fearlessness”
“Debate”
“Compassion”
“Warding
Off Evil”
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THE MANDALA IN
TANTRIC BUDDHISM
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Tantric tool for accessing and
utilizing the enlightened
consciousness both without (in
Buddhas) and within (in
Buddha-nature) that creates
and sustains universe
Grid or template for tracking
flow of power in universe,
with source at center and all
else radiating outward
Thus, mandala = mesocosm
that bridges microcosm
(human body) and macrocosm
(universe)
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TIBET BEFORE TANTRA
(pre-600s CE)
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Cult of divine king:
1.
Descendant of celestial beings
who reach earth via “sky rope”
Perennially reborn essence of
royal ancestors
Giver of law ( = cosmic order)
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Priestly class (also regarded
as incarnations of
predecessors):
1.
Bon (“reciters”) – preside over
coronations, funerals, sacrifices
Shen – shamans who
communicate with spirit world
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TANTRIC BUDDHISM COMES
TO TIBET
• By 600s CE, Tibet is major
unified power in Asia, rivaling
both Chinese Tang Empire
(618-907) and Hindu kingdoms
in India
• Chinese- and Nepalese-born
Buddhist wives allegedly bring
Buddhist traditions to the
Tibetan court (c. 627-650)
• By 700s, Indian (Tantric)
Buddhist missionaries active in
Tibet, and indigenous religion
suppressed by royal decree
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TANTRIC BUDDHISM IN
TIBET
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Mongol annexation of Tibet (c.
1200) leads to establishment of
Buddhist viceroys in Tibet
Period of Mongol influence
characterized by “discovery”
of gTer-ma (“treasure texts”)
By 1642, politically and
religiously independent Tibet
ruled by Dalai Lama
(Mongolian: “Ocean Guru”):
Leader of Gelugpa (“system of
virtue”) sect
Regarded as tulku (incarnation) of
Avalokiteśvara
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