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Tantric Buddhism
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Distinctive doctrines: Vajrayâna Buddhism is Tantric Buddhism, often called "esoteric" Buddhism. Although it is sometimes rather oddly translated as "diamond," the vajra (ko:ngo: in Japanese) was originally the thunderbolt of Indra; and in Vajrayâna it symbolizes the magical power of Tantrism. Tantric magic could be worked through man[.]d[.]alas, sacred diagrams, mantras, sacred formulas for recitation (the most famous one being, "Om, mane padme hum"--"The jewel is in the lotus"), and mudrâs, sacred gestures. This Tantric magic could be merely thaumaturgical ("wonder working") or could be regarded as means of achieving liberation in addition to or apart from meditative or meritorious practices. Just as Hindu Tantrism expresses its magical power through goddesses like Kâlî, Vajrayâna emphasizes female figures. Vajrayâna comes to balance male Bodhisattvas with female Bodhisattvas as attendants of the various Buddhas.
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Interest in Tantric Buddhism has grown tremendously in recent years, but authentic translations from classical sources remain difficult to find. The great popularity achieved by the early Dalai Lamas was due in part to the clarity and power of their tantric writings. Glenn Mullin's translations present this rich resource to a wider audience, offering a wealth of tantric materials, the most extensive such collection available in print.
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Master Wong is a Vajra Master belonging to the True Buddha School of Tantric Buddhism. He is unique in that he is the only Master of the True Buddha School in the UK to teach Westerners, to whom many esoteric Buddhism practices were previously inaccessible.
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As Tantric Buddhism becomes the state religion of Tibet, Bön faces persecution, forcing Bönpo masters such as Drenpa Namkha underground. It is... possible that several decades later, with the collapse of the Tibetan Empire into civil war in 842, Bön may have experienced a partial revival in some districts, especially in western Tibet.
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Tibetan Buddhism incorporates Madhyamika and Yogacara philosophy, Tantric symbolic rituals, Theravadin monastic discipline and the shamanistic features of the indigenous religion, Bön. Among its most unique characteristics are its system of reincarnating lamas and the vast number of deities in its pantheon.
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Yun is the founder and current leader of the fourth stage of Black Sect Tantric Buddhism. His lecture will be presented from 4 to 6 p.m. in Kaufmann Auditorium of Goldwin Smith Hall, sponsored by the Cornell Taiwanese Student Association.
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Tantric Buddhism