Secret and Selective Rituals
in Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan practice includes esoteric rituals originating from Tantric doctrines. The practice requires “initiation” and careful tuning between master and follower, and includes mastering certain (yogi) body movements, symbolic hand gestures, visualisation, and other rituals which are selectively taught through initiation ceremonies.
“Tantric initiation is a ceremony within vajrayana Buddhism whereby dharma is transmitted according to tantra by means of a master’s limitless merit and power.
There are three classes of initiation: Outer-tantric initiations, inner-tantric initiations and secret or supreme-tantric initiations (also called "holy" initiations). Each of these three classes is further divided into various dharma methods”.
www.sacred-texts.com/bud/ettt/index.htm
The tantric influence on Vajrayana Buddhism was the focus of interest of a 9th century Japanese monk, Kukai who traveled to China to study various Buddhist teachings. Absorbing the Vajrayana rituals, he created - upon his return to Japan - a form of esoteric version of Buddhism, and founded the Shingon school (True Word) of Buddhism.
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