Buddhist Encyclopedia: Esoteric Buddhism

Author: Li Jicheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The unique human and geographical environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has given rise to a splendid religious culture. The origins of Vajrayana Buddhism, as by scholars both within and outside China, are generally believed to have emerged around a thousand years after the Buddha's passing, during the late period of Mahayana Buddhism, or what can also be considered the decline of Indian Buddhism. The rise of Vajrayana Buddhism exhibits clear Indian national characteristics. Early Buddhism opposed the traditional religious beliefs of India, holding an attitude of rejection, criticism, and opposition toward the polytheistic worship of Brahmanism, the mantras and esoteric phrases in the Vedas, and even religious rituals. However, after the rise of Mahayana Buddhism, this stance gradually shifted, leading to the introduction of secular mantra concepts and the gradual Buddhistization of mantras and esoteric phrases. Indian Buddhism incorporated all secular religious concepts from traditional Brahmanism, such as those for averting disasters, praying for blessings, and polytheistic worship, into Buddhism. It combined these with high-level Buddhist doctrines and theories, such as Madhyamaka, Yoga, and Dhyana, thereby forming Vajrayana Buddhism. From the perspective of religious sociology, the emergence of Vajrayana Buddhism can be seen as a full expression of Indian national religious beliefs. While the early forms of Buddhism were highly rational, philosophical, and ethical, reflecting the exceptional wisdom of humanity, it eventually could not escape the framework of its own national beliefs. It can even be said that this transformation might have been a common and fundamental psychological tendency of most people at the time. The esoteric practices of Brahmanism, aided by Buddhist theory, constitute a new development in traditional Indian Buddhism, while also embodying the combination of human rationality and mystical psychological needs. There are few books in China that specifically discuss and introduce Vajrayana Buddhism, and people generally feel a sense of mystery about it. The purpose of this book is to unveil the mystery of Vajrayana Buddhism from aspects such as its origins, formation, development, spread, doctrines, practices, and rituals, introducing basic knowledge about Vajrayana Buddhism to the general public or those studying religious topics. It is hoped that this book will be beneficial to both ordinary readers and researchers of religion.