The teachings of the Secret Dharma were recorded in many different Sutras. All of them composed the Secret Collection that is part of the Great Store Sutra (the Pali Canon), written in Chinese and in other languages. However, the translation from Sanskrit to the Chinese version ordered by the emperor was the most complete and traditional one. Among the many Sutras were three important books that have all the principles of the doctrine and serve as basis for the esoteric […]

Ceylon, Siam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand belong to the Theravada or Southern Buddhism. The Buddhist scriptures recorded that Buddhism from India had already spread to Ceylon during the dynasty of King Ashoka. Ashoka organized a series of missions to the kingdoms of south Ceylon, Syria, Egypt, Macedonia and Burma. The King’s son, prince Mahendra led the mission to Ceylon. He brought three volumes of Sutras to be translated by famous teachers. At that time, Secret Buddhism also spread to […]

Four superior Buddhist priests and others had brought the theory and practice of Buddhism to Japan. From that time, Secret Buddhism was organized and thoroughly systematized by Kukai, who was the great master Kobo at Koyosan (mountain of Koyo). Kobo was also the founder of the Shingon sect in Japan. He was a fine artist of sculpture and calligraphy. His works of literature were admired both in China and Japan. The Secret Sect, or Diamond Vehicle, might be represented by […]

The Sutras belonging to the various tantric Buddhist sects were translated into Chinese in the early fourth century A.D. Srimitra, habitants of Pai Country (Kuccha, a white skin tribe), had translated a few scriptures on charms symbols, mystic sentences, some mantras, and verses praising the Deities and saints. In reality they could not be considered as the representation of a high aspiration. The pure Secret Buddhism sect began with the following masters in tantric Buddhism who came to China between […]

I. BRIEF HISTORY OF SECRET BUDDHISM IN TIBET The people in Tibet did not have a serious religion before the introduction of Secret Buddhism. Bon Polytheism was the traditional religion for Tibetans. They worshipped Genies, evil spirits and Demons. They prayed to anyone that helps satisfy their worldly desires. The religious practitioners made their living by selling charms and performing voodoos. They have thousands of tricks to cheat the ignorant people by creating debased superstitions. Tibetan history noted that Buddhism […]

The Almighty Buddha Great Sun, or Mahavairocana Buddha preached Secret Buddhism. Samantabhadra Bodhisattva who was the former attendant of Sakyamuni Buddha became Vajrapani Bodhisattva, attendant of Vairocana Buddha. Tathagatha Mahavairocana resides in the heaven of Mahesvara (or Mahamahesvara) in the palace of the Diamond Dharma realm. He preached the secret teachings to Vajrapani Bodhisattva and other Bodhisattvas from the ten directions through his Incarnate Body Sakyamuni Buddha on the seventh day of his enlightenment. This could be called the original […]

VI. HOMA (Goma, jap): Homa is the “Fire” ritual meditation. Originating in ancient India, it was later appropriated to Buddhist use. Homa means the burning of darkness and the term gives the image of upsurging flame. By this ritual, we may burn up those Karmic defilements, which still remain within us. It is the “fire of the Wisdom of the Buddha” which destroys all worldly passions. There is the “Outer” Homa, which is the actual fire kindled in the ritual, […]

V. MANDALA: Mandala or ‘Dan’ or Bodhi Mandala is a complex term. It literally means donation, gift, generosity, or a raised platform for the purpose of worshipping. In the Mahavairocana Sutra, Vajrapani Bodhisattva asked: “Supreme master, why is this called Mandala?” Buddha replied, ” The place where Buddhas appear is called Mandala to indicate the highest position possible”. In India, the procedure of worshipping God starts with cleaning and flattening the ground. In Secret Buddhism, a Mandala has other factors […]

IV. Magic Symbols: Dharani (Mystic formula-Mantra) Yantra (seals) –Mudra (fingers code) 1. Dharani: To maintain, to maintain all, or the ability to maintain. In this sense it is to maintain all the connections from Heaven, to collect good doctrines, and to protect the good seeds. Having the patience and strong will to face the challenges in this life and in future lives is the main definition of Dharani. Dharani is also the ability to conceal. It is the energy to conceal […]

III. ABHISEKHA – (Guan Ding – Initiation or empowerment ceremony) By Indian tradition, Abhisekha, the empowerment ceremony, is done by pouring water on the crown. When the prince succeeded the throne, the king used water from four seas or rivers, contained in four precious vases, which he successively sprinkled on the prince’s crown. Then the king proclaimed three times that the prince has received his title and the power to govern the people in the four directions of the earth. […]