Article - Vajrayana
Also known as Tantric Buddhism, Mantrayana, Tantrayana, Esoteric Buddhism, Diamond Vehicle or True Words Sect. (Secret) Mantra vehicle is...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vajrayana: Encyclopedia - Vajrayana
Also known as Tantric Buddhism, Mantrayana, Tantrayana, Esoteric Buddhism, Diamond Vehicle or True Words Sect. (Secret) Mantra vehicle is...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vajrayana: Encyclopedia Ii - Vajrayana - Advantages Of Vajrayana
The key advantage Vajrayana Buddhism claims to provide is an accelerated path to enlightenment. This is achieved through use of tantra te...   » Read the article

Article - Buddhist Polemics
Buddhist polemics revolve around the veracity and efficacy of doctrine and practice. It seems that from the very beginning Buddhists were...   » Read the article

Article - Buddhism In India
Theravada is the single remaining representative of the eighteen (or twenty) Nikaya schools of Indian Buddhism, which are sometimes ref...   » Read the article

Article - Buddhist Texts
There are a great variety of Buddhist texts. Buddhists place varying value on them: attitudes range from worship of the text itself, to d...   » Read the article

Article - Buddhist Religious Philosophy
The religious philosophies and schools of thought in Buddhism have evolved since Buddha's death into diverse, and complex traditions. Bu...   » Read the article

Article - Buddhism: Prayers In Buddhism
It is commonly believed that Buddhism involves long hours of meditation and is devoid of elaborative pujas (prayers) and ceremonies assoc...   » Read the article

Article - Buddhism Schools: The Three Main Branches Of Buddhism
Buddhism Schools: The three main branches of Buddhism Buddhism has evolved into myriad schools that can be roughly grouped into three t...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vajrayana: Encyclopedia Ii - Vajrayana - Distinguishing Features Of Vajrayana
Vajrayana Buddhism claims to provide an accelerated path to enlightenment. This is achieved through use of tantra techniques, which are p...   » Read the article

Article - Buddhism: History Of Buddhism
The history of Buddhism spans from the 6th century BCE to the present, starting with the birth of the Buddha Siddharta Gautama. This make...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhist Polemics: Encyclopedia - Buddhist Polemics
Buddhist polemics revolve around the veracity and efficacy of doctrine and practice. It seems that from the very beginning Buddhists were...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vipassana: Encyclopedia - Vipassana
Vipassanā (Sanskrit: vipasyanā) is the practice of Insight Meditation. While it is often referred to as Buddhist meditation, the practi...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Srivijaya: Encyclopedia - Srivijaya
Srivijaya (200s-1400) was an ancient Malay kingdom on the island of Sumatra which influenced much of the Malay Archipelago. Records of it...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism In India: Encyclopedia - Buddhism In India
Buddhism in India - Nikaya. Theravada is the single remaining representative of the eighteen (or twenty) Nikaya schools of Indian Budd...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mandala: Encyclopedia - Mandala
Mandala (Sanskrit maṇḍala "circle") is of Hindu origin, but is also used in Buddhist context, to refer to various tangible objects. I...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism In Vietnam: Encyclopedia - Buddhism In Vietnam
Buddhism in Vietnam is Buddhism that had been localized to Vietnam from India and later from China. Vietnamese Buddhism has many characte...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhist Religious Philosophy: Encyclopedia - Buddhist Religious Philosophy
The religious philosophies and schools of thought in Buddhism have evolved since Buddha's death into diverse, and complex traditions. Bu...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhist Texts: Encyclopedia - Buddhist Texts
There are a great variety of Buddhist texts. Buddhists place varying value on them: attitudes range from worship of the text itself, to d...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - History Of Buddhism: Encyclopedia - History Of Buddhism
The history of Buddhism spans from the 6th century BCE to the present, starting with the birth of the Buddha Siddharta Gautama. This make...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Acala: Encyclopedia - Acala
In Vajrayana Buddhism, Ācala or Achala ("The Immovable One" in Sanskrit, 阿遮羅, Zh Āzhēluó, Jp Achara), also known as Āryācalan...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mikkyo: Encyclopedia - Mikkyo
Mikkyō (密教; literally "secret teachings", often translated as "esoteric Buddhism") is a Japanese term that refers to the esoteric Va...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Wheel Of Life: Encyclopedia - Wheel Of Life
In the dharmic religions (Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism), the wheel of life (also called by a variety of other names; see the Names sect...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Womb Realm: Encyclopedia - Womb Realm
In Vajrayana Buddhism, the Womb Realm (Skt. garbhakosa-dhatu, Jp. 胎蔵界 taizōkai) is the metaphysical space inhabited by the Five Wi...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ashta Dik Palaka: Encyclopedia - Ashta Dik Palaka
In Hinduism and Vajrayana Buddhism - especially Kalachakra, the Ashta-Dikpalas are the eight gods who rule the eight directions. They are...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mahamudra: Encyclopedia - Mahamudra
Mahamudra (Sanskrit: great seal' or 'great symbol) or Chagchen (Tibetan) is a method of direct introduction to the nature of Mind (or Bud...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Akshobhya: Encyclopedia - Akshobhya
In Vajrayana Buddhism, Akshobhya (Sanskrit for "Immovable One", Jp. 阿閃如来 Ashuku nyorai) is one of the Five Wisdom Buddhas, a prod...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yidam: Encyclopedia - Yidam
In Vajrayana Buddhism, a Yidam (Tibetan) or Ishtadevata (Sanskrit) is a fully enlightened being who is the focus of personal meditation, ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche: Encyclopedia - Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche
H.E. Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche (1930-2002) is a renowned teacher of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. H.E. Chagdud Tulku Rin...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Wisdom King: Encyclopedia - Wisdom King
In Vajrayana Buddhism, a Wisdom King (Sanskrit vidyarāja, Jp. 明王 myō-ō) is the third type of deity after Buddhas and bodhisattvas....   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Culture Of Mongolia: Encyclopedia - Culture Of Mongolia
The culture of Mongolia could be described as homogeneous; there is little variation within the population. 96% of the population are Vaj...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Shingon Buddhism: Encyclopedia - Shingon Buddhism
Shingon (真言) is a major school of Japanese Buddhism, and one of two major sub-schools of Vajrayana Buddhism, the other being Tibetan ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Avalokitesvara: Encyclopedia - Avalokitesvara
In Mahayana Buddhism, Avalokitesvara or Avalokiteshvara (Sanskrit: Avalokiteśvara) is a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all B...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Maitreya: Encyclopedia - Maitreya
In Buddhism, Maitreya Bodhisattva is the future Buddha. Maitreya is a bodhisattva who some Buddhists believe will eventually appear on ea...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Marpa Lotsawa: Encyclopedia - Marpa Lotsawa
Marpa Lotsawa (1012-1097), or Marpa the translator was a Tibetan Buddhist teacher credited with the transmission of many Buddhist teachin...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mahakala: Encyclopedia - Mahakala
Mahakala (a bahuvrihi of Sanskrit maha "great" and kāla "black") is a Dharmapala ("protector of dharma") in Vajrayana (Tibetan and Japan...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Vajrayana: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Vajrayana
Vajrayana: School of Buddhism practiced in Tibet; in Japan it is practiced as Shingon Buddhism. It is the Diamond Raft/Vehicle/Way. Va...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vipassana: Encyclopedia Ii - Vipassana In The Theravada, Mahayana And Vajrayana
Vipassana - In the Theravada. Vipassana as practiced in the Theravada is the understanding of the Four Noble Truths that were taught by...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vipassana: Encyclopedia Ii - Vipassana - Vipassana In The Theravada, Mahayana And Vajrayana
Vipassana - In the Theravada. Vipassana as practiced in the Theravada is the understanding of the Four Noble Truths that were taught by...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vipassana: Encyclopedia Ii - Vipassana - Vipassana In The Theravada Mahayana And Vajrayana
Vipassana - In the Theravada. Vipassana as practiced in the Theravada is the understanding of the Four Noble Truths that were taught by...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vipassana: Encyclopedia Ii - Etymology
Vipassanā is a Pali word from the Sanskrit prefix "vi-" and verbal root √drś. It is often translated as "insight" or "clear-seeing," ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhist Texts: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhist Texts - Vajrayana Texts
Buddhist texts - Buddhist tantras. The canon of the Vajrayana schools includes a number of Nikaya-related texts from a number of the sc...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - History Of Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - History Of Buddhism - Emergence Of The Vajrayana 5th Century
Main article: Vajrayana Vajrayāna Buddhism, also called Tantric Buddhism, first emerged in eastern India between the 5th and 7th centuri...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vipassana: Encyclopedia Ii - Practice Of Vipassanā
Vipassana meditation is a very simple, logical technique which depends on direct experience, observation, rather than belief. It has thre...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vipassana: Encyclopedia Ii - Vipassanā Today
Today, the term "Vipassanā" also refers to the meditation technique used by many branches of modern Theravada Buddhism, for example in m...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vipassana: Encyclopedia Ii - Vipassana - Etymology
Vipassanā is a Pali word from the Sanskrit prefix "vi-" and verbal root √drś. It is often translated as "insight" or "clear-seeing," ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vipassana: Encyclopedia Ii - Vipassana - Vipassanā Today
Today, the term "Vipassanā" also refers to the meditation technique used by many branches of modern Theravada Buddhism, for example in m...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Srivijaya: Encyclopedia Ii - Srivijaya - Formation And Growth
Around year 500, Srivijayan roots begun to develop around present-day Palembang, Sumatra in Indonesia. Chinese records dated 600 mention ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vipassana: Encyclopedia Ii - Vipassana - Practice Of Vipassanā
Vipassana meditation is a very simple, logical technique which depends on direct experience, observation, rather than belief. It has thre...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism In India: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhism In India - Characteristics
Buddhism in India - Nikaya. Theravada is the single remaining representative of the eighteen (or twenty) Nikaya schools of Indian Budd...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Srivijaya: Encyclopedia Ii - Srivijaya - Golden Age
After trade disruption at Canton between 820 to 850, the ruler of Jambi was able to assert enough independence to send missions to China ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Srivijaya: Encyclopedia Ii - Srivijaya - Relationship With Regional Powers
Although historical records and archaeological evidence are scarce, it appears that by the seventh century, Srivijaya established suzerai...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mandala: Encyclopedia Ii - Mandala - Mandala In Buddhism
A mandala in tantric Buddhism usually depicts a landscape of the Buddha land or the enlightened vision of a Buddha. Mandalas are commonly...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhist Religious Philosophy: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhist Religious Philosophy - Three Main Schools
Buddhism has evolved into myriad schools that can be roughly grouped into three types: Nikaya, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Of the Nikaya sch...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism In Vietnam: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhism In Vietnam - Formation And Spread Of Buddhism In Vietnam
Buddhism was imported into Vietnam fairly early, at around the beginning of the Christian Era with the legend of Chữ Đồng Tử study...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism In India: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhism In India - History
For a full account of the spread of Buddhism in India and beyond, see the History of Buddhism and the Decline of Buddhism in India. Budd...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism In Vietnam: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhism In Vietnam - Characteristics Of Vietnamese Buddhism
Buddhism in Vietnam - Syncretism. Buddhism in Vietnam - Ying-yang harmony. Buddhism in Vietnam - Flexibility. ... See also:Bud...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhism In Vietnam: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhism In Vietnam - Characteristics Of Vietnamese Buddhism
Buddhism in Vietnam - Syncretism. Buddhism in Vietnam - Yin-yang harmony. Buddhism in Vietnam - Flexibility. ... See also:Budd...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhist Texts: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhist Texts - Mahayana Texts
See Mahayana Sutras for a list of sutras categorised by source, without discussion. Buddhist texts - Perfection of Wisdom Texts. Deal w...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhist Texts: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhist Texts - Canonical Texts
These are, in some way or other, texts associated with Gautama, the historical Buddha. Different schools, however, are not always in agre...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhist Texts: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhist Texts - Non-canonical Texts
Non or semi-canonical texts have been important from very early in Buddhism. Extensive commentaries exist in Pali for the Pali Canon and ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - List Of Sutras: Encyclopedia Ii - List Of Sutras - Sutras Primarily Associated With Buddhism
List of sutras - Pali sutras. Digha Nikaya: 34 sutras, including Brahmajala Sutta, a critique of 64 'wrong views' current at the time...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Wheel Of Life: Encyclopedia Ii - Wheel Of Life - The Eight-spoked Wheel In Buddhism
The simpler form of the wheel of life has eight spokes and is primarily used only in Buddhism rather than in all the dharmic religions. T...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhist Texts: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhist Texts - Texts Of The Nikaya Schools
There is some dispute over what to call the more conservative stratum of Buddhist schools and the texts associated with them. The most wi...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - History Of Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - History Of Buddhism - Mahayana Expansion 1st C.ce–10th C.ce
From that point on, and in the space of a few centuries, Mahayana was to flourish and spread in the East from India to South-East Asia, a...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - History Of Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - History Of Buddhism - Life Of The Buddha
Main article: Gautama Buddha According to the Buddhist tradition, the historical Buddha Siddharta Gautama was born to the Shakya clan tha...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - History Of Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - History Of Buddhism - Sunga Persecutions 2nd–1st C.bce
The Sunga dynasty (185–73 BCE) was established in 185 BCE, about 50 years after Ashoka's death. After murdering King Brhadrata (last of...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - History Of Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - History Of Buddhism - Rise Of Mahayana 1st C.bce–2nd C.ce
The rise of Mahayana Buddhism from the 1st century BCE was accompanied by complex political changes in northwestern India. The Indo-Greek...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - History Of Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - History Of Buddhism - Theravada Renaissance 11th Century Ce—
From the 11th century, the destruction of Buddhism in the Indian mainland by Islamic invasions led to the decline of the Mahayana faith i...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - History Of Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - History Of Buddhism - Expansion Of Buddhism To The West
After the Classical encounters between Buddhism and the West recorded in Greco-Buddhist art, information and legends about Buddhism seem ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - History Of Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - History Of Buddhism - Early Buddhism
Before the royal sponsorship of Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, Buddhism seems to have remained a relatively minor phenomenon, and the his...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - History Of Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - History Of Buddhism - Greco-buddhist Interaction 2nd C. Bce–1st C. Ce
In the areas west of the Indian subcontinent, neighboring Greek kingdoms had been in place in Bactria (today's northern Afghanistan) sinc...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - History Of Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - History Of Buddhism - Ashokan Proselytism C. 260 Bce
The Mauryan king Ashoka (273–232 BCE) converted to Buddhism after his bloody conquest of the territory of Kalinga (today's Orissa) in t...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - List Of Fictional Clergy And Religious Figures: Encyclopedia Ii - List Of Fictional Clergy And Religious Figures - Christianity
List of fictional clergy and religious figures - Roman Catholic Church. Adso of Melk (Benedictine)- The Name of the Rose novel & ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - List Of Fictional Clergy And Religious Figures: Encyclopedia Ii - List Of Fictional Clergy And Religious Figures - Shinto
List of fictional clergy and religious figures - Priests. Rei Hino's grandfather ("Jī-chan") - Sailor Moon Kagome's grandfather ("Jī...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Zen: Zen And Buddhism Dictionary On Zen
Zen: Literally translated, zen means meditation. Zen is one of four major schools of Buddhism. The other schools are: Mahayana, Therav...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - List Of Fictional Clergy And Religious Figures: Encyclopedia Ii - List Of Fictional Clergy And Religious Figures - Fictional Religions
List of fictional clergy and religious figures - Yevonism from Final Fantasy X. Maesters are considered equivalent of cardinals, with ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Wheel Of Life: Encyclopedia Ii - Wheel Of Life - Names Of The Wheel Of Life
The most common name is the "wheel of life", but the wheel also has a variety of other names: wheel of dharma wheel of existence wheel o...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Wheel Of Life: Encyclopedia Ii - Wheel Of Life - The Six-spoked Wheel Of Life
The more elaborate form of the wheel of life has six spokes (or sometimes five, as described in more detail below) and is used in all the...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Tibetan Buddhism: New Age Spiritual Dictionary On Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism Form of Mahayana Buddhism known as Vajrayana that took root in Tibet, emphasizing rich metaphysical imagery, colorfu...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Pure Land: Encyclopedia Ii - Pure Land - Eastern Pure Land
In esoteric Vajrayana Buddhism, Amitabha's Western Pure Land is the counterpart to Akshobhya's Eastern Pure Land, or Abhirati. While espe...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Pure Land Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Pure Land Buddhism - Eastern Pure Land
In esoteric Vajrayana Buddhism, Amitabha's Western Pure Land is the counterpart to Akshobhya's Eastern Pure Land, or Abhirati. While espe...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Swat Pakistan: Encyclopedia Ii - Swat Pakistan - History
In ancient times Swat was known as Udyana, the probable birthplace of Vajrayana Buddhism. There are many archaeological sites in the dist...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Tantra: Encyclopedia Ii - Tantra - Tibetan Tantra
In Tibetan Buddhism tantra (also known as Vajrayana) plays a central role, and is universally acknowledged as constituting the highest te...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Reincarnation: Encyclopedia Ii - Reincarnation - Theories Put Forward To Explain The Phenomenon
Reincarnation - A theory of reincarnation. A belief in reincarnation does not discount the existence of heaven, hell, or a final judgme...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ladakh: Encyclopedia Ii - Ladakh - Demographics
Unlike the rest of Jammu and Kashmir which is mainly Islamic, a plurality of Ladakhis is Tibetan Buddhist (55%), with most of the rest be...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Neo-buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Neo-buddhism - Distinctive Interpretation
Ambedkarite Buddhists espouse an eclectic version of Buddhism, primarily based on Theravada, but with additional influences from Mahayana...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Buddhist Monasticism: Encyclopedia Ii - Buddhist Monasticism - Monastic Life
The Buddhist monastic order is theoretically divided into two assemblies, the male bhikkhu assembley, and the female bhikkhuni assembly. ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Tara Buddhism: Encyclopedia Ii - Tara Buddhism - Emergence Of Tara As A Buddhist Deity
Within Tibetan Buddhism Tara is regarded as a Bodhisattva of Compassion. She can be seen as the female aspect of Avalokitesvara, and in s...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mantra: Encyclopedia Ii - Mantra - Mantra In Indo-tibetan Buddhism
Conze distinguishes three periods in the Buddhist use of mantra. Initially, like their fellow Indians, Buddhists used mantra as protectiv...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Guru: Encyclopedia Ii - Guru - Guru In Buddhism
The guru's blessing is the last of the four foundations in Vajrayana Buddhism. In this foundation, the disciple can continue in their exp...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Tibet: Encyclopedia Ii - Tibet - Culture
Tibet is the traditional center of Tibetan Buddhism, a distinctive form of Vajrayana, which is also related to the Shingon Buddhist tradi...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Kalu Rinpoche: Encyclopedia Ii - Kalu Rinpoche - Publications By Kalu Rinpoche
Profound Buddhism: From Hinayana to Vajrayana, Clearpoint Press, 1995, ISBN 0963037153 Excellent Buddhism: An Exemplary Life, Clearpoint ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Chakra: Encyclopedia Ii - Chakra - Origins And Development
The earliest known mention of chakras is found in the later Upanishads, including specifically the Brahma Upanishad and the Yogatattva Up...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Tibetan Art: Encyclopedia Ii - Tibetan Art - Tantric Influence
More specifically, Tibetan Buddhism is a subset of Tantric Buddhism, also known as Vajrayana Buddhism for its common motif of the vajra, ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Ladakh: Encyclopedia Ii - Ladakh - Demographics
Unlike the rest of Jammu and Kashmir which is mainly Islamic, a plurality of Ladakhis is Tibetan Buddhist (50%), with most of the rest be...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Japanese Architecture: Encyclopedia Ii - Japanese Architecture - Heian
In reaction to the growing wealth and power of organized Buddhism in Nara, the priest Kukai (best known by his posthumous title Kobo Dais...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mantra: Encyclopedia Ii - Mantra - Mantra In Other Traditions Or Contexts
Transcendental Meditation, also known simply as 'TM', uses simple mantras as a meditative focus. TM was founded by the Maharishi Mahesh Y...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vajrayana: Encyclopedia Ii - Vajrayana - History Of Vajrayana
Vajrayana - India. There are differing views as to just where Vajrayana started, some claiming that it began in Udyana - the modern day...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Vajrayana: Encyclopedia Ii - Vajrayana - Relationship With Mahayana
While tantra and esoterism distinguish Vajrayana Buddhism, it is, from the Tibetan Buddhist point of view, nonetheless primarily a form o...   » Read the article