Definition of the Mental Factor of Discriminating In the Vaibhashika system, the mental factor of discriminating (shes-rab, Skt. prajñā) is one of the ten great mental factors grounded in all cognizing minds (sa chen-po-pa, Skt. mahābhūmika), whether with a sense consciousness...

The Impropriety of Giving Initiations to Those Having No Understanding of Voidness  It is wrong for lamas to give initiations to those who don’t even know about bodhichitta and voidness. Perhaps they are only giving them for fame. The Nalanda masters did not give...

The graded-path presentations nearly always include instructions on appropriate thoughts and actions for disciples in relationship to their mentors, whether on the sutra or the tantra level.

Homage to the Bhagavan Tathagata Ratna-shikhin. Homage to the Bhagavan Tathagata Vimala-ujjvala-ratna-rashmi-prabhasa-ketu. Homage to the Tathagata Suvarna-jambu-dhvaja-kancha-nabha. Homage to the Tathagata Suvarna-abhasa-garbha. Homage to the Tathagata...

All the details of the four points for analyzing the increased efficiency of general tantra pertain to anuttarayoga. Beyond that, however, the same four points may help us to understand why the highest class of tantra, anuttarayoga, is even speedier than the other three...

The non-Gelug traditions agree with most points made by Gelug concerning why anuttarayoga is a more efficient and speedier path than the three lower tantras. We need to note, however, the following additions or variations. (1) Closer Analogies General Sakya Anuttarayoga ...

[As background, see: The Main Features of Tantra] Methodology Tantra is well known as being a quicker and more efficient method for achieving enlightenment than is sutra. To appreciate tantra and put full enthusiasm into its practice in a realistic manner, it is important...

Except for the following variations in assertions, the non-Gelug traditions of Tibetan Buddhism – Sakya, Kagyu, and Nyingma – agree with Gelug on the various reasons why general tantra is more efficient than sutra. (1) Closer Analogies Buddha-Nature and Positive Self-Images...

(1) Closer Analogies The Kalachakra Tantra has many unique features not shared in common with the other anuttarayoga Buddha-figure systems. The upward and downward analogies of general anuttarayoga still pertain to its practice, except that Kalachakra does not entail practice...

One of the major Mahayana sutra texts studied by all four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism is “A Filigree of Realizations” (“Abhisamayalamkara”), a commentary by Maitreya on the “Prajnaparamita Sutras” on the stages of the realizations.