Secret of the Vajra World: The Tantric Buddhism of Tibet
This book provides an entrée into the Tantric (or Vajrayana) Buddhism of Tibet, as conveyed by Tibetan masters teaching in the West, and as received by their Western students. The Tantric tradition is a unique collection of lesser-known texts, concepts, and meditation practices that are usually made available only to experienced and specially initiated practitioners.\ The "Vajra World" ( vajradhatu in Sanskrit) is a realm of indestructibility, the level of reality beyond all thought and...
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This book provides an entrée into the Tantric (or Vajrayana) Buddhism of Tibet, as conveyed by Tibetan masters teaching in the West, and as received by their Western students. The Tantric tradition is a unique collection of lesser-known texts, concepts, and meditation practices that are usually made available only to experienced and specially initiated practitioners. 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. 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 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.
ForewordPrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1Pt. 1Foundations of Vajrayana71The Indian Prelude92How the Vajrayana Came to Tibet: The Early Spreading of the Dharma283How the Vajrayana Came to Tibet: The Later Spreading and Beyond404The Vajrayana in the Context of the Three-Yana Journey665The View of Vajrayana91Pt. 2Entering the Vajra World1096Some Initial Vajrayana Perspectives1117The World Beyond Thought1268The Vajra Master1539Entering the Vajrayana Path17710Tantric Practice: Meditation on the Yidam20911Subtleties of Practice: The Inner Yogas230Pt. 3Meeting the Essence of Mind25912Mahamudra: The Great Symbol26113Dzokchen: The Great Perfection294Pt. 4Tantric Applications32714Lessons in Mortality: Death and Dying in Tantric Practice32915Bodhisattvas in the World: Tulkus, Reincarnate Lamas36016Themes of a Tulku's Life38517The Practice of Retreat42618The Passing of a Realized Master462Conclusion481Notes489Bibliography503Credits509Index511
