An Introduction to Tantric Buddhism c8.s2.5

c8.s2.5

² Kazi Dawasamdup in his introduction to the *Śrī-cakra-saṃbhāra-tantra* divides this Vajra-yāna into six sects. He says,—"The development or 'fruit' of the first three (i.e., Śrāvaka-yāna, Pratyeka-buddha-yāna and Bodhisattva-yāna) is the Vajra-yāna and Mantra-yāna which is divided into six parts or states; (4) Kriyā-tantra-yāna (Byavhi-rGyud-kyi-thegpa); (5) Caryā or Upāya-tantra-yāna (Spyod-pahi-rGyud-kyi-thegpa); (6) Yoga-tantra-yāna (rNal-hbyor-rg). The latter is again subdivided into three; (7) Mahāyoga-tantra-yāna (Maha-yoga or Ma-rGyud-kyi-thegpa); (8) Anuttara-yoga-tantra-yāna (Anuyoga or (?) Blamed-rGyud-kyi-thegpa); and (9) Ati-yoga-tantra-yāna (Ati-yoga hi-theg-pa)." From what source Kazi Dawasamdup described these subdivisions we do not know; the general practice, however, is to divide Vajra-yāna into four classes,—viz., Kriyā-tantra, Caryā-tantra, Yoga-tantra and Anuttara-tantra. Mr. Waddell describes the first two divisions as the "Lower Tantra" and the last two as the "Upper Tantra". (*Lamaism*—p. 152). The Kriyā-tantras and Caryā-tantras are concerned with the rituals, ceremonies, worship of gods and goddesses and other practices; but the Yoga-tantra and the Anuttara-tantra are much higher types of Tantras containing the Yogic processes for the realisation of the ultimate truth and a discussion on the nature of the ultimate truth. As a matter of fact if we go through the Buddhist Tāntric texts, we shall find that some of the texts contain nothing but the detailed description of the gods and goddesses and elaborate systems of worship and chantings—without having any element of yoga or philosophy in them. It is for this reason that to study the essentials of the Buddhist Tantras we should concentrate our attention more on the Yoga-tantras and the Anuttara-tantras and our study is generally based on them. But the fact is that it is often very difficult to arrange the Buddhist Tantras under the heading of these four classes,—for many of the Tantras contain a mixture of the different elements.