The Three-Yana Journey in Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism

Abstract

Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism is a unique form of Buddhism. At this point, it is not as well or as accurately known to theologians or to the public as are some other forms of Buddhism, especially Theravadin, Zen, or Pure Land Buddhism. Because of the self-secret nature of the Vajrayana teachings and the oral transmission of most of those teachings, it can be a difficult form of Buddhism to study. Much of the popular literature on Tantra is unreliable, and much of the more academic literature is difficult for the non-initiate. Nevertheless, this form of Buddhism is extremely rich and well-developed. What it has to say about the human condition and spiritual transformation is a philosophical-theological resource that could prove to be challenging and provocative to anyone. A major topic in Vajrayana Buddhism is the path, that is, the method of transformation from confusion to enlightenment. Thus, the topic of change or transformation, both individual and social, is well-suited for a basic presentation of Vajrayina Buddhism. Vajrayana Buddhism talks very explicitly about the spiritual path as a three-yana, or three-stage journey involving the Hinayana, the Mahayana, and the Vajrayana. In my paper, I will present some rather traditional discussions of how one gets onto and moves along a spiritual path. I will end the paper by discussing a non-traditional topic-a challenge to Buddhism to respond to specific external forces and modern conditions with appropriate internal doctrinal and institutional changes. In the more traditional part of my paper, I will use a traditional teaching