RELG 101 Lecture Notes - Vajrayana, Vajra, Mahayana

• School: UBC
• Department: Religious Studies
• Course: RELG 101
• Professor: Anne Murphy Jessica Main

Document Summary

Buddhosaka(?) is far along the realization path, but instead of going on to be a buddha, reaches back to give help to those behind so they can bene t from their own self. Those further along the path pull those behind so they can escape as well. Mahayana and vadrayana are only separated through their rituals. Tantra: a south asian ritual system for the identi cation or merging of the practitioner with personi ed representations of ultimate reality. Rely on gurus to teach and guide characteristics of vajrayana buddhism. Extremely powerful techniques, requiring secrecy, training, and proper initiation. Mapping of microcosm onto the macrocosm through ritual. Sex is supposed to enlighten, not provoke more desire. Along with alcohol and meat, is meant to quell desire. Power of language, action, thought harnessed by ritual. Is part of the things someone needs to achieve enlightenment. Internally, you perform patterns, externally, you create and disassemble physical patterns.