A Fistful of Sand

  Vajrayāna Buddhism, often associated with Tibetan culture, is far more than a regional or culturally specific tradition. It is a profound and adaptable method of practice that transcends national, ethnic, and even religious frameworks, offering a direct path to awakening that is accessible to all who seek transformation. Just as Mikkyō developed in Japan as a Buddhist esoteric tradition with its own cultural expressions, Vajrayāna as a whole represents the Buddha’s teachings in their most direct and expedient form, tailored to the needs of different times and places. While various cultures have shaped its outer forms, its inner essence remains unchanged: the direct realization of ultimate reality through skillful means and profound wisdom. Vajrayāna as a Method, Not a Culture One of the most common misconceptions about Vajrayāna is that it is synonymous with Tibetan Buddhism. While Tibet preserved and developed Vajrayāna in a uniquely profound way, the method itself predates its ...

  Ah The Four Bodhisattva Vows are among the most well-known and profound commitments in Mahāyāna Buddhism. At first glance, they appear paradoxical, even impossible to fulfill: Sentient beings are numberless; I vow to save them all. Delusions are inexhaustible; I vow to end them. Dharma gates are boundless; I vow to master them. The Buddha way is unsurpassable; I vow to attain it. Taken literally, these vows seem unattainable. How can one possibly save an infinite number of beings? How can one end delusions that continuously arise? How can one master all Dharma teachings or attain an unsurpassable path? However, these vows are not meant to be fulfilled in a linear or conventional sense. Instead, they serve as a profound  upāya  (skillful means) to dissolve self-centered limitations and awaken one to the nature of reality. Saving All Beings: The Non-Dual View The first vow, "Sentient beings are numberless, I vow to save them all," seems impossible if we think of it in ter...