Human Development

Vajrayana Buddhism

Description:
One of three branches of Buddhism, combining the realism of Hinayana and the idealism of Mahayana together with Tantric and Taoist mysticism, and including specific rituals. Developing later than the other two branches (around the 8th Century), it may roughly be equated with the northern Buddhism of Tibet, Mongolia, the Himalayas, China and the countries of the former USSR. This is the swift method for enlightenment and is often referred to as the "accelerated path", moving through four "levels" to the central goal through: outer ritual action; inner meditative action; path of spiritual attainment. Through difficult yogic practices and methods of meditation one dwells on the final result of following the path until the imaginative exercise is replaced by the reality of liberation.
Context:
According to Master Da Love Ananda (formerly Da Free John), characteristic of the Fourth Stage of development.<
Narrower:
Abhiseka