The Differences among the Four Classes of Tantra

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The Sarma (New Transmission Period) traditions of Tibetan Buddhism – Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug – divide the tantras into four classes:

  • Kriya tantra (bya-rgyud) – ritual deity practice
  • Charya tantra (spyod-rgyud) – behavioral deity practice
  • Yoga tantra (rnal-’byor rgyud) – integrated deity practice
  • Anuttarayoga tantra (bla-med rnal-’byor rgyud) – peerlessly integrated (highest yoga) deity practice.

The Nyingma (Old Transmission Period) divides tantra into six classes – the same first three as the Sarma traditions, but in place of anuttarayoga, has mahayoga, anuyoga and atiyoga (dzogchen).

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