Editing Tibetan Buddhism (section)

===Vajrayāna===
[[File:Hevajra-Tibetan.jpg|upright|thumb|A depiction of the tantric figures [[Hevajra]] and [[Nairatmya|Nairātmyā]], Tibet, 18th century]]
Tibetan Buddhism incorporates [[Vajrayāna]] (''[[Vajra]] vehicle''), "Secret Mantra" (Skt. ''Guhyamantra'') or Buddhist [[Tantra]], which is espoused in the texts known as the [[Buddhist Tantras]] (dating from around the 7th century CE onwards).{{sfnp|Powers|2007|p=250}}

[[Tantra]] (Tib. ''rgyud'', "continuum") generally refers to forms of religious practice which emphasize the use of unique ideas, visualizations, mantras, and other practices for inner transformation.{{sfnp|Powers|2007|p=250}} The Vajrayana is seen by most Tibetan adherents as the fastest and most powerful vehicle for enlightenment because it contains many skillful means (''[[upaya]]'') and because it takes the effect ([[Buddhahood]] itself, or [[Buddha nature]]) as the path (and hence is sometimes known as the "effect vehicle", ''phalayana'').{{sfnp|Powers|2007|p=250}}

An important element of Tantric practice are tantric deities and their [[mandala]]s. These deities come in peaceful (''shiwa'') and [[Fierce deities|fierce (''trowo'') forms]].{{sfnp|Samuel|2012|p=69}}

Tantric texts also generally affirm the use of sense pleasures and other [[Kleshas (Buddhism)|defilements]] in Tantric ritual as a path to enlightenment, as opposed to non-Tantric Buddhism which affirms that one must renounce all sense pleasures.<ref name="Kapstein 82">{{harvp|Kapstein|2014|p=82}}.</ref> These practices are based on the theory of transformation which states that negative or sensual mental factors and physical actions can be cultivated and transformed in a ritual setting. As the [[Hevajra tantra|''Hevajra Tantra'']] states:

<blockquote>Those things by which evil men are bound, others turn into means and gain thereby release from the bonds of existence. By passion the world is bound, by passion too it is released, but by heretical Buddhists this practice of reversals is not known.{{sfnp|Snellgrove|1987|pp=125–126}}</blockquote>

Another element of the Tantras is their use of transgressive practices, such as drinking [[taboo]] substances such as alcohol or [[Karmamudrā|sexual yoga]]. While in many cases these transgressions were interpreted only symbolically, in other cases they are practiced literally.<ref name="Kapstein 83">{{harvp|Kapstein|2014|p=83}}.</ref>