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.
