The Living Journal - The Secred Vajra

During the Buddha's time, Vajrayana Buddhism was not publicly known or practice. The teachings  and instructions were privately taught to a select group of individuals in indefinite places. Approximately 800 years after Buddha's passing, a great lotus born master Guru Rinpoche, who is regards as the second Buddha in Vajrayana, Atisha, Nagajuna and Asanga, widely propagated these teachings.

Today, these practice are widely practice and the tradition or lineages remains very much alive and intact in Tibet. Unlike Tibet, the other part of world has been introduced to the Vajrayana practices in an amazing, fabulous and impressive manners.

As a results of teachings and practices being given by unverified teachers that has given rise of a fair share of Cultism and Sectarianism. Many new students have a misconception of the practice. To them, it is something very 'exotic', 'advance' or 'superior' and related to magic, supernatural power and mysticism. Some students have actually approached many Rinpoches seeking for mystical experiences.

Actually Vajrayana is nothing like before, the Vajrayana teachings were taught by the Buddha himself, to liberate us, just like the Theravada and Mahayana traditions. And thus, like the Theravada and Mahayana, it teaches us to liberate and not miracles and magic tricks. It is true that if we practice we will develop many qualities. But these are called "qualities" similar to the Buddha's qualities and not magic. Magic is the art of illusion, its not real, on the other hand, Buddha 's qualities are genuine.  

To follow the Vajrayana, we must practice the Theravada and Mahayana traditions. These paths are all interrelated and complement each other and should not be viewed as being advanced or independent to each other. Vajrayana itself having the indestructible practices of the three Yanas, Its not a different sect or cult of a new religion.

The classic example, We need a foundation, four pillars and a roof to build a house. 

Vajrayana is known as the secret practice or tantrayana, because of the the more secretive the practitioners is about his practice, the better his achievement. In the modern age, the  internet, the social medias, you noticed there are many people try to outsmart or to defeat oneself intentionally or unintentionally by overly elaborate intrigue to have publicized the secret teachings. 

Some of the example of the secrets tantric that one is required empowerment and Guru guidance that have publicized including the details of :-  

[1] The powerful sacred mantras of wrathful protectors.

[2] The mudras engagement in a ritual meditation, especially is to generate forces that invoke a particular Buddha or deity.

[3] The illustration of the technique of visualization.

[4] The practice of channels and chakras. 

[5] The deity in a Yab-Yum union consort formation. 

[6] The Tommo practice-meaning inner fire is a Tibetan secret meditation practice that allows us to make significant physical changes to our body temperature using meditation, breathing techniques and our minds. To be able to immerse our naked body in freezing temperatures for long periods and walk across snowy landscapes for hours without freezing to death.

If these were to made public, it might cause those who are only interested or gaining this tantric practice to increase one’s own power and profit or ego, but instead of focusing on the Buddha's Dharma teaching. For example , when new students or people think of Buddhas they have an impression of serenity, peace and tranquility, however some images of protectors who are actually manifestation of Buddhas, who look wrathful and grotesque. 

Example, some of you might have noticed in certain monastery, they have a curtain to cover up a particular wrathful deity. If the new students were to see them, they might criticize or misunderstand Vajrayana Buddhism altogether, leading them create negative Karma. This is why Vajrayana, in particular the advanced practices, has to be secretly practiced.

I have received some enquiries, an example, a Sri Lankan Buddhist asked why Vajrayana is having so many ghostly demonic wrathful deities? I explained and finally he accepted and saying its so difference from the Sri Lankan Buddhist traditional. My Guru has reminded me that the important of the tantrayana teaching and must not be reviewed publicly and it has to be kept secretly.

Please consult your Guru or a qualified lineage master for practices! Should a devotee even want to start studying and contemplating the tantric , then it is truly necessary to first have completed the preliminaries and to be certain and sure that Bodhicitta has arisen and developed in one’s mind. 

It is absolutely necessary to have the pure motivation and to know that tantric practice is not carried out to increase one’s own power, ego and profit. Negative intentions of any kind may not be.

* This is my personal opinions and reader discretion is advised. 

Thank you for reading , may you find peace and ultimate bliss. With your support it helps spread the Dharma and turning the Dharma wheels in the world. 

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

Jang Chub Sem Chog Rinpoche

Ma Kye Pa Nam Kye Gyur Chiang

Kye Pa Nyam Par Mey Pa Yang

Gong Nay Gong Du Phel War Shog.

May the precious Bodhichitta arise

Where it has not arisen

And where it has arisen may it not decrease

But increase further and further.

Nagarjuna's Dedication of Merit
So nam di yi tham chay zig pa nyi
Thob nay nye pa'i dra nam pham jay nay
Kye ga na chi'i ba lab thrug pa yi
Si pa'i tso lay dro war drol war shog.

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migrators from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note*
I do not own or copyright any of these photos.