Vajrayana Part 1

Dear Dharma friends,
  
Sukhihontu.  As mentioned earlier, this is the posting first of 13 parts of Vajrayana teachings notes. It will be posted twice weekly.  These were all prepared diligently by Sis Margaret. Hope you find it useful. 
Metta, Kevin 

Introduction to Vajrayana (Part 1)

According to the scriptures (Tantras) - Vajrayana refer to 1 of the 3 Vehicles or Routes to Enlightenment. (The other 2 being the Theraveda (Hinayana) and Mahayana). The word vajra means "immutability" or "indestructibility". 

Features of Vajrayana: Rituals (skillful means)

1) Taking Refuge - learning to rely on the :

the Buddha,

the Dharma (his teachings),

the Sangha (the Buddhist community)

This is a Buddhist Commitment.  (Positive imprints help to actualize positive results such as happiness).  As a Mahayana practitioner, we always begin by setting out the bodhicitta motivation for doing the practice and gain inspiration from the Three Jewels, as the object of refuge.  If one has total understanding and faith in the Buddha and in Refuge, then Refuge will stablise you, it will save you from lower realms.

2) Development of Bodhicitta (the Mind of Enlightenment).

Is an Attitude of Unconditional Love & Compassion for all beings.

3) Purify:  The Effects of One's past negative actions & accumulate the Positive Energy necessary to progress on the Spiritual Path.

a) Practice using the techniques of Visualisation and Mantra specific to Vajrayana approach (brings results in ones practice). 

4) Guru Yoga: to unite ones mind with the mind of the teacher.  This practise is the 'ROOT' of Vajrayana - where the purity of the link between teacher and disciple is important. ( ie one's mind is Buddha's mind, one's body is Buddha's body and one's speech is Buddha speech).  Visualize oneself as Buddha and ones surrounding as a Buddha field - recite mantra practice Sadhana.  *Sadhana are chanted practices that embody the essence of the Buddhist path, from the taking of Refuge & develop loving kindness and compassion through the accumulation of merit, culminating in the dedication of merit to benefit all sentient beings. 

a) Phowa - transference of Consciousness.  This method to enable those who are good practitioners to be liberated at the time of death.  This needs guidance of a qualified teacher.

5)  Buddhist Ethics:

a) make Offerings

b) recite prayers and mantra

6) Great Perfection: practice

a) Oral explanations

b) Explanatory text

Vajrayana is a Science of the MIND.

Practitioners take the decision to pursue the Spiritual Path/journey actively.  (100,000 times to form a good habit).