Does anyone know about Tantraya ( Vajrayana) Buddhism?
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See if you can check it out at www.beliefnet.com (or .org)
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Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to Insight into the true nature of life. Buddhist practices such as meditation are means of changing oneself in order to develop the qualities of awareness, kindness, and wisdom. The experience developed within the Buddhist tradition over thousands of years has created an incomparable resource for all those who wish to follow a path - a path which ultimately culminates in Enlightenment or Buddhahood.\n\nBecause Buddhism does not include the idea of worshipping a creator God, some people do not see it as a religion in the normal, Western sense. The basic tenets of Buddhist teaching are straightforward and practical: nothing is fixed or permanent; actions have consequences; change is possible. Thus Buddhism addresses itself to all people irrespective of race, nationality, or gender. It teaches practical methods (such as meditation) which enable people to realize and utilize its teachings in order to transform their experience, to be fully responsible for their lives and to develop the qualities of Wisdom and Compassion.\nBuddhism explains the reality of life and the universe: that all beings are equal by nature and that all teachings are equal. The Buddha said many times that the wisdom to understand the true reality of life and the universe, and the virtuous abilities to cultivate are all already within our true nature. Buddhism teaches us to have a broad mind, one that overflows with sincerity, purity, equality, proper understanding, and compassion. Everyday, we must strive to awaken to this reality. Being contented with all conditions and settings is a good example for all, and striving for attainment of freedom of mind and spirit will help to awaken. From this, we can see that the Buddha is a compassionate multicultural educator who is worthy of emulation.\nBuddhism is Not a Religion. According to the Webster's Dictionary, the definition of religion is as follows, "An organized system of beliefs, rites, and celebrations centered on a supernatural being power; belief pursued with devotion."\nBuddhism is not a religion because:\nFirst, the Buddha is not a 'supernatural being power'. The Buddha is simply a person who has reached Complete Understanding of the reality of life and the universe. Life refers to ourselves, and universe refers to our living environment. The Buddha taught that all beings possess the same ability to reach Complete Understanding of themselves and their environment, and relieve themselves from all sufferings to attain utmost happiness. All beings can become Buddhas, and all beings and the Buddha are equal by nature. The Buddha is not a God, but a teacher, who teach us the way to restore Wisdom and Understanding by conquering the greed, hatred, and ignorance which blind us at the present moment. The word 'Buddha' is a Sanskrit word, when translated it means, "Wisdom, Awareness/Understanding". We call the founder of Buddhism Shakyamuni Buddha because He has attained Complete Understanding and Wisdom of life and the universe. Buddhism is His education to us, it is His teaching which shine the way to Buddhahood.\nSecond, the 'belief' in the Buddha's teachings is not blind belief, or blind faith. Shakyamuni Buddha taught us not to blindly believe what he tells us, he wants us to try the teachings and prove them for ourselves. The Buddha wants us to know, not merely believe. The Buddha's teachings flow from his own experience and understanding of the truth, and shows us a path of our own to taste the truth for ourselves. The Buddha uses a perfectly scientific way of showing us reality in its true form.\nThird, Buddhism is not a religion because all the 'rites and celebrations' are not centered on a supernatural being, but rather the people attending the assemblies. The ceremonies and celebrations in Buddhism all serve an educational purpose, a reminder of the Buddha's teachings an
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Buddhism is a nontheistic religion and philosophy focusing on the teachings of the Buddha Śākyamuni (Pāli:Sakyamuni), born Siddhārtha (Pāli: Siddhattha) of the Gautama (Pāli: Gotama) gotra, who probably lived in the 5th century BCE. Buddhism spread throughout the ancient Indian sub-continent in the five centuries following the Buddha's death, and propagated into Central, Southeast, and East Asia over the next two millennia. Today, Buddhism is divided primarily into three traditions: Theravāda (Sanskrit: Sthaviravāda), Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna. Buddhism continues to attract followers worldwide, and, with around 708 million followers, it is considered a major world religion.\n\nA Buddha is considered to be a person who discovers the true nature of reality through years of study, investigation of the various religious practices of his time, and meditation. This transformational discovery is called bodhi or "enlightenment". Any person who has, without the instruction of others, become awakened to the principles of the Dharma, is called a buddha. Śākyamuni is said to have been only the latest of many of these; there were other buddhas before him and there will be others in the future. According to the Buddha, any person can follow his example and become enlightened through the study of his words, and by leading a virtuous, moral life. In general, the aim of Buddhist practice is to end all kinds of suffering in life. To achieve this state, adherents seek to purify and train the mind by following the Noble Eightfold Path, and eventually to gain true knowledge of reality and thus attain liberation: nirodha or nirvāṇa(Pāli nibbāna).
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do you mean all asian's religion? it could be Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism...\nBuddha said that only we can save ourselves... to develop the highest wisdom and compassion by self-awareness and self-understanding ... to overcome our ignorance, anger, fear, hatred... you might want to check these books for details ..\n\n\nhttp://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/gqga-4ed.pdf\nGood Question, Good Answer [Revised 4th edition] — Ven. S. Dhammika.\nThis is a very popular book on questions and answers on basic Buddhism. Read the answers to questions that people often ask about the Buddha's Teachings with Venerable S. Dhammika. The book covers topics such as What is Buddhism? Basic Buddhist Concepts, Buddhism and the god Idea, The Five Precepts, Rebirth, Meditation, Wisdom and Compassion, Vegetarianism, Good Luck and Fate and Becoming a Buddhist.\n\nhttp://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/4nobltru.pdf\nThe Four Noble Truths — Ven. Ajahn Sumedho.\nThe Four Noble Truths are the central Teaching of the Buddha. This booklet was compiled and edited from talks given by Venerable Ajahn Sumedho on the teaching of the Buddha: that the unhappiness of humanity can be overcome through spiritual means. The teaching is conveyed through the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths, first expounded in 528 BC in the Deer Park at Sarnath near Varanasi, India and kept alive in the Buddhist world ever since.\n\nhttp://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/fundbud1.pdf\nFundamentals of Buddhism — Dr Peter D. Santina.\nDr Santina covers what we might call the basic Buddhist teachings over a series of twelve lectures. The basic teachings outlined here include: the Life of the Buddha, the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, Karma, Rebirth, Dependent Origination, The Three Universal Characteristics and The Five Aggregates. Dr Santina also puts Buddhism into its context by describing the pre-Buddhist background and gives an overview of Buddhism from a modern perspective in a very readable way.\n\nhttp://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/whatbelieve.pdf\n What Buddhists Believe (Expanded 4th edition) — Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda.\nThis expanded 4th edition of "What Buddhists Believe" answers many questions which are asked about Buddhism by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. There are so many misconceptions regarding superstitions and misinterpretations which are associated with this noble religion that it has become imperative to explain the Teachings in a manner which has contemporary relevance.\n\nAbout Taoism\nhttp://www.religiousworlds.com/taoism/\nhttp://www.exploretaoism.com/\nhttp://winnie-the-pooh.ru/online/lib/tao.html
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Have you spent much time looking into Buddhism? Since it is a Way or Path, and not a religion, it does not (according to many Buddhists) conflict with religious beliefs you may have. It's more about a way of living in order to achieve a goal (enlightenment). It stresses things like compassion and denial of the flesh (as opposed  to the spirit or true self), which I believe it has in common with Christianity, Judaism, and probably Islam (which I know little about).  It teaches many of the same core values from a perspective many of us brought up in western cultures are not familiar with.  Try reading The Art of Happiness by the Dali Lama or Awakening the Buddha Within by Lama Surya Das. \n\nMany Christians and Jews will argue that the differences between their faiths and Buddhism are crucial and irreconcilable. I'm not attempting to argue with that, and I'm sure they have excellent points, I'm just working off your statement that you are coming from a liberal ideology.\n\np.s., the notion, mentioned by another poster, that only one is correct is by no means universally held. In fact, it's largely due to the big three Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam).
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Yes, also referred to as the Buddha of Everlasting Light or the Pure Land Buddha.\n\nInterestingly, the "Amida" is not a historical "person" rather a fictional character created by Mahayana Buddhism to represent the ultimate nature of Shakyamuni Buddha as well as the Dharma or universal Buddhahood.\n\nNirvana is more of a Zen term rather than Pure Land. Pure Land develops out of Mahayana Buddhism in India and became wildly popular in China, where the invocation of Amida became the most common of all religious practices. It spread to Japan and was incorporated into Zen.\n\nUnlike many forms of Buddhism, Pure Land can be considered the Easy Path to Enlightenment. By practicing Nembutsu (concentration on the Buddha and his virtues, or recitation of the Buddha's name) and following the Right Practices, one is assured of rebirth in the Pure Land as the result of Amida Buddha's Vow. Once reborn in the Pure Land, Enlightenment can be achieved through proper study and practice of the Holy Path of Buddhism.
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Buddhism is a way of life that was passed down in a teacher-student relationship, unlike most religion in the west which is God -  man.  Since religion is define as worship to a God, Buddhism can not really be label as a religion since its not about worship detities; its a teaching about life, universe and the path to enlightenment.\n\nBuddhism in a nutshell is the search of understand yourself and its surrounding; Buddhist believe that man was pure in heart but for various reason we were polluted and tainted by desires and sin.\n\nSo the goal of Buddhism is to purify your soul/mind and through various methods to revert back to our original state of being.\n\nBuddhist follow the teaching of Buddha, a man that exist in India around 500 B.C.  He was born a prince but he gave everything away to pursuit the path of enlightenment. He ultimately achieved its goal and spend all his time teaching / sharing his knowledge to his students and people.\n\nBuddhism use different method to achieve its goal,hence you see different practice method of Buddhism: Zen, pure-land, Tibetan and many others.\n\nThere is no disrespect to try to understand something and ask question, I'm sure your friend would be happy to answer any question you may have.\n\nThis is just a very brief outline of Buddhism. If you are interested, there is an non-profit organization that promotes Buddhism in the U.S.  They have books and videos for free distribution.  \n\nYou can write or call them and they can send you books free of charge too.  Their website is http://www.amtb-usa.org
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What branch of Mahayana Buddhism?  Ch'an, Zen, etc? Even , Vajrayana is a extension of Mahayana.  The rituals are too numerous to list.  There are multiple types of meditations, Chanting of sutra, mantra recitation, the reciting of the names of the Buddha's, Taking refuge, the practice of mudra, etc...  \n\nIf you want to know more about a particular branch, ask about that branch. Or, you can go to any one of the links I have listed bellow and read more about Mahayana Buddhism itself. \n\nI hope this helps.
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Gautama Buddha was the founder of Buddhism. He studied and practised Hindu discipline.\n\nKing Suddhodana and his queen Maha Maya ruled Kapilavastu. The queen gave birth to a baby boy on the way to her father’s place at Lumbini. The boy was named Siddharth. Queen Maha Maya died seven days after his birth. His maternal aunt (or step-mother?), Maha Prajapati Gautami brought up the child. \n\nAccording to legend, an astrologer foretold his father, the king, that young Gautama would give up the throne and luxury and renounce the world the day he would see four things (i) an old man, (ii) a sick man, (iii) a diseased man and (iv) a dead man. Hence, the king confined Gautama in a special palace which was provided with all worldly pleasures. He was married at the age of sixteen to Yasoddhra.
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Buddhism is the name of the religion based on the teaching of the historical Buddha,  Gautama Siddhartha. It encompasses a great deal of teachings, but they can be summed up quite succinctly in two main themes. \n\n*Mindfulness \n ~ and ~\n*Compassion\n\nThese are the key to any Buddhist practice. \n\nHere is a little more detail, but for a good understanding, please see the links below.\n\nBuddha researched and came upon the Four Noble Truths:\n\n1) All worldly life is unsatisfactory, disjointed, containing suffering.\n2) There is a cause of suffering, which is attachment or desire (tanha) rooted in ignorance\n3) There is an end of suffering, which is Nirvana.\n4) There is a path that leads out of suffering, known as the Noble Eightfold Path.\n\nThe Noble Eightfold Path as explain in the Four Noble Truths is:\n1 - Right Understanding - (samyag-dRSTi, sammaa-diTTi)\n2 - Right Thought - (samyak-saMkalpa, sammaa-saGkalpa)\n3 - Right Speech - (samyag-vaac, sammaa-vaacaa)\n4 - Right Conduct - (samyak-kalmaanta, sammaa-kammanta)\n5 - Right Livelihood - (samyag-aajiiva, sammaa-aajiiva)\n6 - Right Effort - (samyag-vyaayaama, sammaa-vaayaama)\n7 - Right Mindfulness - (samyak-smrTi, sammaa-sati)\n8 - Right Concentration - (samyak-samaadhi, sammaa-samaadhi)\n\nThe moral tenants of Buddhism are summed up in Sila, also known as the Five Precepts. \n1. To refrain from harming living creatures (ahimsa).\n2. To refrain from taking that which is not freely given (stealing).\n3. To refrain from sexual misconduct. (causing Physical, emotional or mental harm to yourself or others.)\n4. To refrain from incorrect speech (lying, harsh language, slander, idle chit-chat).\n5. To refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness.\n\nThe basic practices differ from schools to school, but Mediation and the study of sutra are pretty much universal. \n\nPersonally I find Buddhism to be the most peaceful, selfless and 'real' religion I have ever read about or studied. \n\nI hope this helps.
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TO THE PATH TO ENLIGHMENT  BOTH R imp \nRead books on Tantra.\nTHERE IS A BRENCH IN BUDHISM KNOWN AS 'RED LINE ZEN '.\n\n\nto know love more closely read 'CULTIVATING THE MIND OF LOVE'  by Thich Nhat Hanh.\n\nBBEEESST OOOOF LUCKKKKKK !
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try\nhttp://www.buddhism.org/email/\nWhen completed it should help.
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Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to Insight into the true nature of life. Buddhist practices such as meditation are means of changing oneself in order to develop the qualities of awareness, kindness, and wisdom. The experience developed within the Buddhist tradition over thousands of years has created an incomparable resource for all those who wish to follow a path - a path which ultimately culminates in Enlightenment or Buddhahood.\n\nBecause Buddhism does not include the idea of worshipping a creator God, some people do not see it as a religion in the normal, Western sense. The basic tenets of Buddhist teaching are straightforward and practical: nothing is fixed or permanent; actions have consequences; change is possible. Thus Buddhism addresses itself to all people irrespective of race, nationality, or gender. It teaches practical methods (such as meditation) which enable people to realize and utilize its teachings in order to transform their experience, to be fully responsible for their lives and to develop the qualities of Wisdom and Compassion.\nBuddhism explains the reality of life and the universe: that all beings are equal by nature and that all teachings are equal. The Buddha said many times that the wisdom to understand the true reality of life and the universe, and the virtuous abilities to cultivate are all already within our true nature. Buddhism teaches us to have a broad mind, one that overflows with sincerity, purity, equality, proper understanding, and compassion. Everyday, we must strive to awaken to this reality. Being contented with all conditions and settings is a good example for all, and striving for attainment of freedom of mind and spirit will help to awaken. From this, we can see that the Buddha is a compassionate multicultural educator who is worthy of emulation.\nBuddhism is Not a Religion. According to the Webster's Dictionary, the definition of religion is as follows, "An organized system of beliefs, rites, and celebrations centered on a supernatural being power; belief pursued with devotion."\nBuddhism is not a religion because:\nbullet\n\nFirst, the Buddha is not a 'supernatural being power'. The Buddha is simply a person who has reached Complete Understanding of the reality of life and the universe. Life refers to ourselves, and universe refers to our living environment. The Buddha taught that all beings possess the same ability to reach Complete Understanding of themselves and their environment, and relieve themselves from all sufferings to attain utmost happiness. All beings can become Buddhas, and all beings and the Buddha are equal by nature. The Buddha is not a God, but a teacher, who teach us the way to restore Wisdom and Understanding by conquering the greed, hatred, and ignorance which blind us at the present moment. The word 'Buddha' is a Sanskrit word, when translated it means, "Wisdom, Awareness/Understanding". We call the founder of Buddhism Shakyamuni Buddha because He has attained Complete Understanding and Wisdom of life and the universe. Buddhism is His education to us, it is His teaching which shine the way to Buddhahood.\nbullet\n\nSecond, the 'belief' in the Buddha's teachings is not blind belief, or blind faith. Shakyamuni Buddha taught us not to blindly believe what he tells us, he wants us to try the teachings and prove them for ourselves. The Buddha wants us to know, not merely believe. The Buddha's teachings flow from his own experience and understanding of the truth, and shows us a path of our own to taste the truth for ourselves. The Buddha uses a perfectly scientific way of showing us reality in its true form.\nbullet\n\nThird, Buddhism is not a religion because all the 'rites and celebrations' are not centered on a supernatural being, but rather the people attending the assemblies. The ceremonies and celebrations in Buddhism all serve an educational purpose, a reminder of
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http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/nw/kt/\n\nmight find it here... that's not a lot of information to go on (or ask the person who's website it is. :) )
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My dear friend, \n\nBelow I have done my best to try and explain the sects of Buddhism to level comprehensible to the general public; I sincerely hope it helps you.  [please note, that this was also my answer to another learned friend's question quite similar to yours]\n\nBefore I begin though, I would like to comment on the above learned peoples' answers.  I am sorry to say that you have yet to answer our friend's answer.  People come here, to the answers services because they have been unsuccessful in their quest for an answer; hence it is up to people who may know the answer to try and assist them in any way that we can, and not simply throw them more incomprehensible information.  This is something I wish to achieve in the below content.\n\nA period after the pir-nirvana of the Lord Buddha, the "Elders" and the "Novices" of Buddhism had an argument regarding the preservation of offerings for an overnight situation. This let to a fine separation into 2 factions of Buddhism: Theravada and Mahasamghika (Elders and Novices) - the terms used previously are given in the ancient language Sanskrit. In fact, the Mahasamghika was the stepping stone or hint that another form of Buddhism would take place, and that form would be known as Mahayana Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism was introduced to the world by Nagarjuna Buddha (or Nagarjuna Bodhisattva - depending on tradition), and the Mahasamghika slowly dissipated into another form of Buddhism, known as Hinayana.\n\nSo to briefly bring things into perspective: Hinayana, Mahayana and Theravada. However, this is not the end yet. Some people actually place Theravada Buddhism under the banner of Hinayana Buddhism. So, there are mainly the two branches: Hinayana and Mahayana (but readers please take note, it is not that I am in total agreement of this; I merely wish to use it as an example to simplify matters). Now, to help you understand the differences. Places like Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Sri Lanka, India etc are all examples where Hinayana Buddhism is prominent; their Dharma Robes are easily distinguished tending to look like a very large cloth wrapped around their body. Countries like China, Taiwan, Korea, Tibet, Japan etc are all examples where Mahayana Buddhism is prominent; their Dharma Robes are not so easily distinguished tending to vary from tradition, but one thing is certain, and that is they often have a look of Chinese Tang Dynasty Royal Family robes.\n\nWell, "is that all", you ask? No, because within the Mahayana tradition there is another lineage of Buddhism, known as the Tantrayana (or Vajrayana). All the countries mentioned in the category of Mahayana fit this description, but please take note that there is an extremely large amount of overlapping. And to complicate matter even further, these branches of Buddhism are separated in another general manner: Exoteric and Esoteric.\n\nSo to conclude:\nExoteric Buddhism - Hinayana Buddhism (Thailand, Sri Lanka...etc)\n- Mahayana Buddhism (Taiwan, Korea, China)\n\nEsoteric Buddhism-Tantrayana Buddhism (China, Tibet, Japan)\n\nRemember, it all depends in what context you are speaking of.\n\nI hope I have helped you, and would appreciate criticism and education from the learned friends of the world wide web.\n\nvhy
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Scholars of South Asian religions are - at the very least - of the opinion that Sanatana Dharma represents one of the oldest spiritual traditions known to humanity. Many of these scholars go as far as to say that it is probably the oldest spiritual path on earth. Yoga practitioners would certainly agree with this latter view. The oldest writings known to humanity are the Vedas, the revealed scriptures of Sanatana Dharma, and date back to perhaps 3800 B.C.E. This is when they were first put into writing; these sacred scriptures are known, however, to have been transmitted orally from generation to generation for an extensive period of time previous to even this.\n\nFollowers of Yoga spirituality themselves hold the view that this spiritual tradition, known in the ancient, sacred language of Sanskrit as "Sanatana Dharma," is an eternal and ever-present (even if not ever-visible) way of life. No one actually knows when Sanatana Dharma was first started. Both practitioners of Yoga spirituality, as well as all academicians, agree that there was no one specific time in known history when the path of Yoga Dharma was founded. Additionally, there was no one individual - a prophet, saint or priest - who can be claimed as the founder of the religion. As far as followers themselves are concerned, Sanatana Dharma was never actually founded. It is an eternal spiritual phenomena that is as old as the Earth herself.  \nMoreover, Dharma (God's Natural Law) is the sustainer of the Earth. This is indicated by the meanings of the two words that constitute the very name of this culture: sanatana means “eternal” and dharma means “natural law."   \n\n  \n\nYoga Dharma is a way of life and world-view that is also trans-geographical.  Yoga and Sanatana Dharma do not pertain only to India.  Traces of Yoga and Sanatana Dharma are to be found in many of the ancient cultures of the world. We see ideas and practices that are very similar to Yoga philosophy, not only in ancient India, but also in Chinese culture, Native American, Celtic, Greco-Roman, Egyptian, Mayan, Germanic, Mesopotamian, and Persian cultures, as well as many others.  The concept of "Dharma", as the natural law inherent in our cosmos, is found in almost all ancient civilizations.  In Chinese, Dharma is translated as "Tao". In Ancient Egyptian, it is known as "Ma'at".  In Latin as "Liga Natura" (Natural Law).  In ancient Persian as "Asha".  The great Twentieth Century Italian philosopher, Baron Julius Evola, refers to this concept as "Tradition".  There is a word for Dharma in almost every ancient language on earth.  So when we speak of "Dharma", we are not just referring to some sect, denomination or creed.  Rather, we are referring to those principles that serve as the very foundation of all authentic religious experience.
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Yes, and there is information on them from the Theosophical Society. Look them up on the web, you can get books from them on the subject or call them, and speak with someone.