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Vajrayana Buddhism
Vajrayna Buddhism, also called Tantric Buddhism, is a branch of Mahayana Tradition that
has added material and beliefs. There are some who consider it the third major tradition of
Buddhism that has evolved from the earlier traditions of Theravada and Mahayana
between the 3rd and 7th centuries BCE (Religious Tolerance, 2011). At present it is
estimated to have 10 million adherents who are divided into two schools, Tibetan
Buddhism in northern Asia and Shingon Buddhism in Japan (Religious Tolerance, 2011).
The name comes from the word “vajra" which refers to the thunderbolt of Indra, which is
is the Sanskrit name for the god of weather and war. In the word “vajra" are the meanings
of indestructible material and thunderbolt. Because of this, Vajrayna tradition is often
referred to as the indestructible Vehicle (Religious Tolerance, 2011).
Followers of the Vajrayna tradition believe that this tradition is the purest form of
Buddhism and that is the form hat was actually practised by the Buddha. Like the
followers of the Bodhisattva tradition they believe that Buddha did not attempt to teach it
to his disciples because it was too advanced for them to accept at the time. The first of the
Vajrayāna texts appeared in the 4th Century BCE (Religious Tolerance, 2011). The place
of origin of the tradition creates debate as some feel that it originated in what is now
Pakistan, while others argue that it originated in Bengal or in southern India (Religious
Tolerance, 2011).
Vajrayana Buddhism accepts many parts of Mahayana tradition including most of their
important sutras. They also accept the idea of the Bodhisattva tradition that the ultimate
goal is not for the individual to attain enlightenment, but instead to assist all others in
reaching enlightenment first and Vajrayana Buddhism agres with the idea that Buddhism
should be a practise of both monks from the religious world and the general community of
lay people (Religious Tolerance, 2011). In addition to this, a follower of the Vajrayana
tradition is taught that it is possible can attain full Buddhahood in a single lifetime, unlike
the Theravada belief that it may take many lifetimes (Religious Tolerance, 2011).
Tantra goes further than Mahayana in terms of absolute and relative truth
Tantra has a meaning of “thread" or "continuity" in Sanskrit and refers to the “"... root
scriptures of Vajrayāna Buddhism, which are ascribed to the Buddha in various
manifestations; Each usually describes the mandala diagram and practice associated with a
