Secret of the Vajra World: The Tantric Buddhism of TibetAn entrée into the world of Tantric Buddhism—a unique collection of texts, concepts, and meditation practices presented by Tibetan masters teaching in the West The “Vajra World” (vajradhatu in Sanskrit) is a realm of indestructibility, the level of reality beyond all thought and imagination, all impermanence and change, which a fully realized person knows and inhabits. Used metaphorically, “Vajra World” refers to the traditional culture of Tibet and the unique spirituality that is its secret strength. Secret of the Vajra World is the companion volume to the author’s earlier book, Indestructible Truth: The Living Spirituality of Tibetan Buddhism. While that book focuses on the history, cosmology, philosophy, and practice of the more public, exoteric side of Tibetan Buddhism, this work treats its more hidden and esoteric aspects as they take shape in Vajrayana. Together, the two volumes provide a broad introduction to the major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Topics include: • The tantric view of human nature and the external world • The special role of the guru, or tantric mentor • The preliminary practices that prepare the student for full initiation • The major dimensions of Vajrayana practice, including visualizations, liturgies, and inner yogas • The tradition of the tulku, or incarnate lama • The lore surrounding the death of ordinary people and of saints • The practice of solitary retreat, the epitome of traditional Tibetan Buddhism |
Contents
The Indian Prelude | 9 |
The Early | 28 |
The Later | 40 |
The Vajrayana in the Context of the ThreeYana | 66 |
The View of Vajrayana | 91 |
Some Initial Vajrayana Perspectives III | 111 |
The World Beyond Thought | 126 |
The Vajra Master | 153 |
The Inner Yogas | 230 |
The Great Symbol | 261 |
The Great Perfection | 294 |
Themes of a Tülkus Life | 385 |
The Practice of Retreat | 426 |
The Passing of a Realized Master | 462 |
Conclusion | 481 |
Bibliography | 503 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
abhisheka appear arise attained awareness bardo basic become begin bodhisattva body Buddha buddha-nature cave Chagdud Tulku Chögyam Trungpa concepts death deity dharmakaya dharmata disciples Dorje dzokchen emptiness energy enlightenment essence experience feel ground luminosity guru Hinayana Holiness human Ibid incarnation Indian inner yogas journey Kagyü Kalu Rinpoche karma Karmapa karmic Khyentse Rinpoche Lama lineage lives Madhyamaka mahamudra Mahayana mandala manifest master meditation Milarepa monastery monastic monks mudra Naropa nature of mind ngöndro Nyingma one's oneself ordinary ourselves particular path person practitioner reality realization realm rebirth reincarnation retreat Ri-me Rinpoche's ritual sambhogakaya samsara sense shamatha siddhas six yogas skandhas Sogyal Rinpoche spiritual Sutra tantras tantric teacher teachings texts things third turning thought Thrangu Rinpoche Tibet Tibetan Buddhism Tilopa tion Trungpa Rinpoche tülku tradition Tulku Urgyen tummo ultimate vajra vajra world Vajrayana practice vipashyana visualization wheel of dharma wisdom yana yidam yogin