Abhiseka (Buddhism)

The ritual of anointing or consecration in Vajrayana Buddhism by which a guru transmits to his disciple the power to carry out certain meditation practices. The process in Tantric Yoga is in four stages: kalabhiseka (vase initiation into the buddhakula); guhyabhiseka (secret initiation); prajnabhiseka (wisdom initiation); caturabhiseka ('fourth' initiation).