esoteric buddhism

keywords: shingon, kukai, kobo daishi (774 - 835), tantric, mikkyou

keywords: tendai, ennin (794-864) and enshin (814-891)

• kukai's initiation in the esoteric buddhism
  
• a short biography of kobo daishi
  
• japanese esoteric buddhist studies
  
• metaphysical vision
  of ancient japanese esoteric buddhism
  
• tendai buddhism
  
  

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• the three movements in buddhism
  
  
  
  
  • hinayana (lesser vehicle) The first movement Hinayana, or "Lesser Vehicle" has its origins around 500BC.
    As the ancient form of Buddhism, it is still found in Sri Lanka and most of the continental Southeast Asia. The
    emphasis in this movement is on monastic life, where one becomes an arhat who tries to reach
    individual saintliness and extinction at the end of his life. According to the teachings, Buddha was
    a mortal teacher who reached nirvana, and ultimately ceased to remain at our level of existence.
    
    
  • mahayana (greater vehicle) : Mahayana stems from the Theravada School, but Mahayanists
    consider the Theravada to be Hinayana, Hinayana meaning lesser vehicle. Thus, Mahayanists
    consider themselves followers of the greater vehicle. Mahayanists accept much of the scripture
    and ritual that the Hinayanists developed, but they believe their own scriptures to be of higher value
    and truth. No one exactly knows the origins to Mahayana Buddhism, although the movement was
    probably started by small groups of religious individuals in northern India as well as Central Asia.
    Presently, most followers live in East Asia.
    
    
  • vajrayana (diamond vehicle - tantric or esoteric) : The most recent movement began around 500AD called
    Vajrayana, or the "Diamond Vehicle". This form of Buddhism employs the use of spells, symbols, very complicated rituals, and the acquisition of magical powers, in order to reach a stage of enlightenment. These psychophysical
    "techniques" are passed on from master to disciple through various esoteric ways, which explain why we
    sometimes call this movement Tantric or Esoteric Buddhism.