Vajrayana

[vaj-RUH-yaa-nuh]

literally, “Thunderbolt Vehicle”; also known as tantric or esoteric Buddhism, this tradition is based on practices described in tantras that employ mantras, mandalas, mudras, and meditative visualizations utilizing sexual and violent imagery. So potent are these practices that they are secret, requiring initiation by a guru and promising Buddhahood in this lifetime.