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Esoteric transmission

In Vajrayāna Buddhism, esoteric transmission is the transmission of certain teachings directly from teacher to student during an empowerment (abhiṣeka) in a ritual space containing the mandala of the deity.[1] Many techniques are also commonly said to be secret, but some Vajrayana teachers have responded that secrecy itself is not important and only a side-effect of the reality that the techniques have no validity outside the teacher-student lineage.[citation needed]

The secrecy of teachings was often protected through the use of allusive, indirect, symbolic and metaphorical language (twilight language) which required interpretation and guidance from a teacher.[2] The teachings may also be considered "self-secret", meaning that even if they were to be told directly to a person, that person would not necessarily understand the teachings without proper context. In this way, the teachings are "secret" to the minds of those who are not following the path with more than a simple sense of curiosity.[3][4]

Because of their role in giving access to the practices and guiding the student through them, the role of the Vajracharya Lama is indispensable in Vajrayāna.

In Tibetan Buddhism

Traditionally, there are three requirements before a student may begin a tantric practice:[citation needed]

  1. The ritual empowerment (Tib. wang)
  2. A reading of the text by an authorized holder of the practice (Tib. lung)
  3. The oral instruction on how to perform the practice (Tib. tri)

Empowerment (wang)

 
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama holds a vajra offering mudra while preparing the Kalachakra mandala during a Kalachakra empowerment ceremony in Washington D.C., USA
 
A torma and mandala offering for a Vajrakilaya empowerment ceremony

To practice tantric yoga, it is considered necessary to receive a tantric empowerment (Skt. abhiṣeka; Tib. wang) from a qualified tantric master (Vajracarya, "vajra master"). The Sanskrit term abhiṣeka refers to ritual bathing or anointing.[5] Mipham states that empowerment produces the view of mantra in one's being and that this is the basis for the practice of Vajrayana.[6] According to Mipham,

empowerment is the indispensable initial entry point for the practice of mantra. The reason for this is that the profound empowerment ritual produces a sudden manifestation of the ground maṇḍala that dwells primordially within oneself. This refers to the indivisible truths of purity and equality, which are very difficult to realize.[7]

Kongtrül defines empowerment as "what makes the [student's] mind fully ripened by planting the special seeds of the resultant four dimensions of awakening in the aggregates, elements, and sense fields of the recipient."[8] It is also associated with the conferral of authority, in this case, someone is authorized to cultivate the tantric path.[9]

Empowerment includes introducing the student to a specific mandala (which may be made from flowers, colored powders, grains, paint and a mental mandala).[10] One is not allowed to practice tantra without having received the particular empowerment.[11] Some simpler mantra methods, such as reciting the mani mantra, are open to all however.

In Unsurpassed Yoga Tantra, the ritual procedure generally includes four "wangs" (though it may include more, depending on the system):[12][13][14]

  1. The Vase (bumpa) empowerment, which is for purification. The vase empowerment symbolizes purification of the body, senses, and world into the emanation body (nirmanakaya) of the deity and may include a vase filled with water.
  2. The Secret empowerment, which involves receiving the nectar of the bodhichitta [white and red vital essences] from the union of the vajra master and his consort (either real or imagined) which causes great bliss. According to Mipham, "the secret empow-erment purifies the speech and energies into the enjoyment body" (sambhogakaya).
  3. The Knowledge wisdom, (prajña-jñana) empowerment. This involves uniting with a real or imaginary consort visualized as deities, giving rise to inner heat (tummo) and experiencing the four blisses and innate pristine awareness. Mipham states that this empowerment "purifies the mind and the essences into the dharma body."
  4. The Fourth empowerment (the "word" empowerment) involves the pointing out of ultimate reality, emptiness, or pristine awareness based on the previous experience of the third empowerment. According to Mipham, it purifies the three bodies into the essence body.

Oral transmission (lung)

  • the "reading transmission" of sutrayana texts, in which the entirety of the text is read aloud from teacher to student.
  • a similar Vajrayana empowerment that involves the transference of spiritual power from master to augment or refine that of the disciple through the recitation of scripture or song. This oral transmission defines Vajrayana and Ngagpa traditions and provides them with their nomenclature.[citation needed]

Explicit instruction (tri)

In Dzogchen

Direct introduction

In Dzogchen tradition, direct introduction is called the "Empowerment of Awareness" (Wylie: rig pa'i rtsal dbang, pronounced "rigpay sall wahng"), a technical term employed within the Dzogchen lineages for a particular lineage of empowerment propagated by Jigme Lingpa. This empowerment consists of the direct introduction of the student to the intrinsic nature of their own mind-essence, rigpa, by their empowering master.[15]

Pointing-out instruction

In Dzogchen tradition, pointing-out instruction (Tibetan: ངོ་སྤྲོད་ཀྱི་གདམས་པ་, Wylie: ngo sprod kyi gdams pa, THL: ngo-trö kyi dam-pa) is also referred to as "pointing out the nature of mind" (Tibetan: སེམས་ཀྱི་ངོ་སྤྲོད་, Wylie: sems kyi ngo sprod, THL: sem kyi ngo-trö), "pointing out transmission", or "introduction to the nature of mind".[16] The pointing-out instruction (ngo sprod) is an introduction to the nature of mind. A lama gives the pointing-out instruction in such a way that the disciple successfully recognizes the nature of mind.[citation needed]

See also

References

Citations

  1. ^ Williams, Tribe & Wynne (2012), pp. 198, 231.
  2. ^ Williams, Tribe & Wynne (2012), p. 198.
  3. ^ Morreale (1998), p. 215.
  4. ^ Trungpa (1992), p. 144.
  5. ^ Trungpa (1985), pp. 92–93.
  6. ^ Mipham (2009), p. 93.
  7. ^ Mipham (2009), p. 90.
  8. ^ Kongtrül (2005), pp. 204–205.
  9. ^ Kongtrül (2005), p. 206.
  10. ^ Kongtrül (2005), pp. 210–209.
  11. ^ Kapstein (2014), p. 81.
  12. ^ Kongtrül (2005), pp. 44, 225, 229, 231–233.
  13. ^ Trungpa (1991), pp. 153–156.
  14. ^ Mipham (2009), p. 89.
  15. ^ Anon (2005).
  16. ^ Hayward (2008), p. 106.

Works cited

  • Anon (2005). "Biographies: Pramodavajra, Regent of the Divine". Dharma Fellowship of His Holiness the Gwayala Karmapa. Retrieved 2007-11-15.
  • Hayward, Jeremy (2008). Warrior-King of Shambhala: Remembering Chögyam Trungpa. Boston: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 978-0-86171-546-6.
  • Kapstein, Matthew T. (2014). Tibetan Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
  • Kongtrül, Jamgön (2005). Systems of Buddhist Tantra: The Indestructible Way of Secret Mantra. The Treasury of Knowledge. Vol. Book 6, part 4. Translated by Elio Guarisco and Ingrid McLeod. Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion Publications. ISBN 978-1559392105.
  • Mipham, Jamgon (2009). Luminous Essence: A Guide to the Guhyagarbha Tantra. United States: Snow Lion Publications. ISBN 978-1559393270.
  • Morreale, Don, ed. (1998). The Complete Guide to Buddhist America. Shambhala Publications. ISBN 1-57062-270-1.
  • Trungpa, Chögyam (1985). Journey without Goal: The Tantric Wisdom of the Buddha. Shambhala Publications. ISBN 0-394-74194-3.
  • Trungpa, Chögyam (1991). Lief, Judith L. (ed.). The Heart of the Buddha. Shambhala Publications. ISBN 0-87773-592-1.
  • Trungpa, Chögyam (1992). Chödzin, Sherab (ed.). The Lion's Roar: An Introduction to Tantra. Shambhala Publications. ISBN 0-87773-654-5.
  • Williams, Paul; Tribe, Anthony; Wynne, Alexander (2012). Buddhist Thought: A Complete Introduction to the Indian Tradition. United Kingdom: Routledge.

esoteric, transmission, vajrayāna, buddhism, esoteric, transmission, transmission, certain, teachings, directly, from, teacher, student, during, empowerment, abhiṣeka, ritual, space, containing, mandala, deity, many, techniques, also, commonly, said, secret, s. In Vajrayana Buddhism esoteric transmission is the transmission of certain teachings directly from teacher to student during an empowerment abhiṣeka in a ritual space containing the mandala of the deity 1 Many techniques are also commonly said to be secret but some Vajrayana teachers have responded that secrecy itself is not important and only a side effect of the reality that the techniques have no validity outside the teacher student lineage citation needed The secrecy of teachings was often protected through the use of allusive indirect symbolic and metaphorical language twilight language which required interpretation and guidance from a teacher 2 The teachings may also be considered self secret meaning that even if they were to be told directly to a person that person would not necessarily understand the teachings without proper context In this way the teachings are secret to the minds of those who are not following the path with more than a simple sense of curiosity 3 4 Because of their role in giving access to the practices and guiding the student through them the role of the Vajracharya Lama is indispensable in Vajrayana Contents 1 In Tibetan Buddhism 1 1 Empowerment wang 1 2 Oral transmission lung 1 3 Explicit instruction tri 2 In Dzogchen 2 1 Direct introduction 2 2 Pointing out instruction 3 See also 4 References 4 1 Citations 4 2 Works citedIn Tibetan Buddhism EditTraditionally there are three requirements before a student may begin a tantric practice citation needed The ritual empowerment Tib wang A reading of the text by an authorized holder of the practice Tib lung The oral instruction on how to perform the practice Tib tri Empowerment wang Edit His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama holds a vajra offering mudra while preparing the Kalachakra mandala during a Kalachakra empowerment ceremony in Washington D C USA A torma and mandala offering for a Vajrakilaya empowerment ceremonyTo practice tantric yoga it is considered necessary to receive a tantric empowerment Skt abhiṣeka Tib wang from a qualified tantric master Vajracarya vajra master The Sanskrit term abhiṣeka refers to ritual bathing or anointing 5 Mipham states that empowerment produces the view of mantra in one s being and that this is the basis for the practice of Vajrayana 6 According to Mipham empowerment is the indispensable initial entry point for the practice of mantra The reason for this is that the profound empowerment ritual produces a sudden manifestation of the ground maṇḍala that dwells primordially within oneself This refers to the indivisible truths of purity and equality which are very difficult to realize 7 Kongtrul defines empowerment as what makes the student s mind fully ripened by planting the special seeds of the resultant four dimensions of awakening in the aggregates elements and sense fields of the recipient 8 It is also associated with the conferral of authority in this case someone is authorized to cultivate the tantric path 9 Empowerment includes introducing the student to a specific mandala which may be made from flowers colored powders grains paint and a mental mandala 10 One is not allowed to practice tantra without having received the particular empowerment 11 Some simpler mantra methods such as reciting the mani mantra are open to all however In Unsurpassed Yoga Tantra the ritual procedure generally includes four wangs though it may include more depending on the system 12 13 14 The Vase bumpa empowerment which is for purification The vase empowerment symbolizes purification of the body senses and world into the emanation body nirmanakaya of the deity and may include a vase filled with water The Secret empowerment which involves receiving the nectar of the bodhichitta white and red vital essences from the union of the vajra master and his consort either real or imagined which causes great bliss According to Mipham the secret empow erment purifies the speech and energies into the enjoyment body sambhogakaya The Knowledge wisdom prajna jnana empowerment This involves uniting with a real or imaginary consort visualized as deities giving rise to inner heat tummo and experiencing the four blisses and innate pristine awareness Mipham states that this empowerment purifies the mind and the essences into the dharma body The Fourth empowerment the word empowerment involves the pointing out of ultimate reality emptiness or pristine awareness based on the previous experience of the third empowerment According to Mipham it purifies the three bodies into the essence body Oral transmission lung Edit the reading transmission of sutrayana texts in which the entirety of the text is read aloud from teacher to student a similar Vajrayana empowerment that involves the transference of spiritual power from master to augment or refine that of the disciple through the recitation of scripture or song This oral transmission defines Vajrayana and Ngagpa traditions and provides them with their nomenclature citation needed Explicit instruction tri Edit This section is empty You can help by adding to it September 2021 In Dzogchen EditDirect introduction Edit In Dzogchen tradition direct introduction is called the Empowerment of Awareness Wylie rig pa i rtsal dbang pronounced rigpay sall wahng a technical term employed within the Dzogchen lineages for a particular lineage of empowerment propagated by Jigme Lingpa This empowerment consists of the direct introduction of the student to the intrinsic nature of their own mind essence rigpa by their empowering master 15 Pointing out instruction Edit Main article Pointing out instruction In Dzogchen tradition pointing out instruction Tibetan ང ས ད ཀ གདམས པ Wylie ngo sprod kyi gdams pa THL ngo tro kyi dam pa is also referred to as pointing out the nature of mind Tibetan ས མས ཀ ང ས ད Wylie sems kyi ngo sprod THL sem kyi ngo tro pointing out transmission or introduction to the nature of mind 16 The pointing out instruction ngo sprod is an introduction to the nature of mind A lama gives the pointing out instruction in such a way that the disciple successfully recognizes the nature of mind citation needed See also EditInitiation Shaktipat SubitismReferences EditCitations Edit Williams Tribe amp Wynne 2012 pp 198 231 Williams Tribe amp Wynne 2012 p 198 Morreale 1998 p 215 Trungpa 1992 p 144 Trungpa 1985 pp 92 93 Mipham 2009 p 93 Mipham 2009 p 90 Kongtrul 2005 pp 204 205 Kongtrul 2005 p 206 Kongtrul 2005 pp 210 209 Kapstein 2014 p 81 Kongtrul 2005 pp 44 225 229 231 233 Trungpa 1991 pp 153 156 Mipham 2009 p 89 Anon 2005 Hayward 2008 p 106 Works cited Edit Anon 2005 Biographies Pramodavajra Regent of the Divine Dharma Fellowship of His Holiness the Gwayala Karmapa Retrieved 2007 11 15 Hayward Jeremy 2008 Warrior King of Shambhala Remembering Chogyam Trungpa Boston Wisdom Publications ISBN 978 0 86171 546 6 Kapstein Matthew T 2014 Tibetan Buddhism A Very Short Introduction Oxford University Press Kongtrul Jamgon 2005 Systems of Buddhist Tantra The Indestructible Way of Secret Mantra The Treasury of Knowledge Vol Book 6 part 4 Translated by Elio Guarisco and Ingrid McLeod Ithaca NY Snow Lion Publications ISBN 978 1559392105 Mipham Jamgon 2009 Luminous Essence A Guide to the Guhyagarbha Tantra United States Snow Lion Publications ISBN 978 1559393270 Morreale Don ed 1998 The Complete Guide to Buddhist America Shambhala Publications ISBN 1 57062 270 1 Trungpa Chogyam 1985 Journey without Goal The Tantric Wisdom of the Buddha Shambhala Publications ISBN 0 394 74194 3 Trungpa Chogyam 1991 Lief Judith L ed The Heart of the Buddha Shambhala Publications ISBN 0 87773 592 1 Trungpa Chogyam 1992 Chodzin Sherab ed The Lion s Roar An Introduction to Tantra Shambhala Publications ISBN 0 87773 654 5 Williams Paul Tribe Anthony Wynne Alexander 2012 Buddhist Thought A Complete Introduction to the Indian Tradition United Kingdom Routledge Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Esoteric transmission amp oldid 1154825295, 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