Three outer tantras
| Four classes of tantra |
|---|
| Three outer classes |
|
| Inner class |
| Nine Yanas |
|---|
| Sutrayana |
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| Outer tantrayana |
|
| Inner tantrayana |
The three outer tantras is a classification of tantras common to both the Nyingma and Sarma schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The three classes of outer tantras are:
These three classes are categorized as:
- The first three of the four classes of tantra within the Sarma schools.
- The second of three divisions within the nine yanas classification of the Nyingma school
Kriya tantra
The kriya tantras, or ‘action’ tantras, are so-called because they are concerned mainly with external conduct, the practices of ritual purification and cleanliness and so on.
Charya tantra
Charya tantra is also known as Upayogatantra or Ubhayatantra (ཨུ་པའི་རྒྱུད་, u pa'i rgyud). The vehicle of charya or ‘conduct’ tantra is so-called because it places an equal emphasis on the outer actions of body and speech and the inner cultivation of samadhi. It is also called the ‘tantra of both’ (Skt. ubhaya tantra) because its view conforms with that of yoga tantra, while its conduct is similar to that of kriya tantra.
Yoga tantra
The vehicle of yoga trantra is so-called because it emphasizes the inner yogic meditation upon reality, combining skillful means and wisdom.
See also
External links
Classes of Tantra in Tibetan Buddhism, Wikipedia
