Vajrayana Buddhism and Dzogchen
Mahayana Buddhism as developed primarily in Tibet is often referred to as Vajrayana and is sometimes considered to be a third major branch of Buddhism. Vajrayana practice – so called tantric practice – is based on a variety of texts called tantras, which arose beginning in the 7th Century CE, and often involves visualizations (often of deities/archetypes or mandalas), the use of symbols, and/or complex ritual. Vajrayana texts take core Mahayana ideas such as Sunyata/Emptiness as a given and, in its broadest and final sense, can be thought of as using visualizations, symbols, and “energy” to ultimately lead beyond image and form, toward the direct experience of emptiness. Dzogchen, sometimes considered the crown jewel of Vajrayana, is a Vajrayanic school which directly aims at the pure experience of Rigpa – the absolute Ground of Existence; also referred to in the tradition as the Primordial State, Clear Light, Buddha-Nature, Emptiness, Pristine Awareness, True Nature, Pristine Mind, etc.