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Vajrayāna

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Vajrayāna (Skt., ‘thunderbolt-’ or ‘diamond-vehicle’). The Tantric aspect of Mahāyāna Buddhism, which sees itself as a succession built upon the preliminary stages of Hīnayāna and of Sūtrayāna (the sūtra aspect of Mahāyāna Buddhism). Followers of Vajrayāna see the Sūtrayāna as a long path, developing only compassion and wisdom; the Vajrayāna, however, is seen as a swift path (Tib., myur.lam) offering enlightenment in the present lifetime by the development of method. The term Vajrayāna is often (mistakenly) used synonymously with Tibetan Buddhism; in fact, Tibetan Buddhism teaches all three vehicles according to personal advancement, and stresses that while Sūtrayāna may be taught separately from Vajrayāna, Vajrayāna may not be taught separately from Sūtrayāna, but rather as an extension of it.

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JOHN BOWKER. "Vajrayāna." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Vajrayāna." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Vajrayna.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Vajrayāna." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Vajrayna.html

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Vajrayāna

A Dictionary of Buddhism | 2004 | | Copyright

Vajrayāna (Skt., diamond vehicle). A late Indian term used to designate the path (yāna) of tantric Buddhism. The name is derived from the image of the thunderbolt (vajra) which was used to symbolize the imperishable nature of enlightenment (bodhi), the indivisibility of appearances and emptiness (śūnyatā) or of compassion (karuṇā) and insight (prajñā).

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DAMIEN KEOWN. "Vajrayāna." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAMIEN KEOWN. "Vajrayāna." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-Vajrayna.html

DAMIEN KEOWN. "Vajrayāna." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-Vajrayna.html

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Vajrayana Buddhism

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2008 | Copyright

Vajrayana Buddhism see Tibetan Buddhism .

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"Vajrayana Buddhism." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Vajrayana Buddhism." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-Vajrayan.html

"Vajrayana Buddhism." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-Vajrayan.html

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