What is the Kalachakra?
The Washington Post On Faith July 6, 2011
by Matteo Pistono
On Faith asks, “The Dalai Lama will preside over the Kalachakra ritual at the Verizon Center. What is the Kalachakra?”
The Kalachakra refers to a corpus of tantric Buddhist teachings, as well as a specific tantric Buddhist deity.
With regards to the body of teachings, the Kalachakra is set of tantric Buddhist practices and teachings that include philosophy, meditation instructions, cosmology, medicine, and yoga. The Kalachakra is one of a number of different systems taught in tantric Buddhism in Tibet, all of which originated in India.
Tantric Buddhism, which can also be called Vajrayana, is the principal stream of Buddhism in Tibet, Bhutan, and Mongolia (whereas, generally speaking, Theravada Buddhism predominates Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, and Burma, and Mahayana Buddhism is prevalent in China, Vietnam, Japan and Korea). Tantra is based on the principle of the transformation of impure perception into pure perception. Utilizing visualization of deities and mandalas (more on mandalas here), recitation of sacred syllables known as mantra, and meditation brings about such pure perception. It is believed that through such practices, one’s ordinary outlook can be fundamentally transformed into a ‘sacred perception,’ where all sights, sounds and even thoughts, are experienced purely in their true nature.
The ultimate point to the skillful methods found in tantra is to transform the mind and mature one’s innate wisdom and compassion. The Dalai Lama has said, “Buddhism is not about rituals, mantras, visualizations, or ceremonies. They may be part of it, but the fundamental point of Buddhism is to transform the mind.”
To practice the Kalachakra, as with all tantric teachings, consistent guidance by a qualified master is required. Central to this guidance is an empowerment, or initiation, into the various visualizations of deities and mandalas, mantra recitation and all associated practices. Empowerment is analogous to the manner in which an unlit candle is poised to illuminate a dark room but requires the condition of another flame. In a similar manner, when a qualified master conducts an empowerment, the student’s spiritual potential can be ignited which allows their indwelling wisdom and compassion to shine forth.
Sometimes Kalachakra refers to the specific tantric deity. Kalachakra is a widely studied and practiced deity in Tibetan Buddhism. Tantric deities, of whom there is a wide variety, are believed to represent various aspects of the enlightened mind. For example, the Dalai Lama is said to be the human manifestation of the tantric deity, Avalokiteshvara, commonly referred to as the Buddha of Compassion. Practitioners of a specific tantric deity utilize complex visualization, mantra recitation, and concentration, to cultivate positive inner qualities in such as way that they will become manifest for the benefit of others.
The Washington Post On Faith July 6, 2011
by Matteo Pistono
On Faith asks, “The Dalai Lama will preside over the Kalachakra ritual at the Verizon Center. What is the Kalachakra?”
The Kalachakra refers to a corpus of tantric Buddhist teachings, as well as a specific tantric Buddhist deity.
With regards to the body of teachings, the Kalachakra is set of tantric Buddhist practices and teachings that include philosophy, meditation instructions, cosmology, medicine, and yoga. The Kalachakra is one of a number of different systems taught in tantric Buddhism in Tibet, all of which originated in India.
Tantric Buddhism, which can also be called Vajrayana, is the principal stream of Buddhism in Tibet, Bhutan, and Mongolia (whereas, generally speaking, Theravada Buddhism predominates Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, and Burma, and Mahayana Buddhism is prevalent in China, Vietnam, Japan and Korea). Tantra is based on the principle of the transformation of impure perception into pure perception. Utilizing visualization of deities and mandalas (more on mandalas here), recitation of sacred syllables known as mantra, and meditation brings about such pure perception. It is believed that through such practices, one’s ordinary outlook can be fundamentally transformed into a ‘sacred perception,’ where all sights, sounds and even thoughts, are experienced purely in their true nature.
The ultimate point to the skillful methods found in tantra is to transform the mind and mature one’s innate wisdom and compassion. The Dalai Lama has said, “Buddhism is not about rituals, mantras, visualizations, or ceremonies. They may be part of it, but the fundamental point of Buddhism is to transform the mind.”
To practice the Kalachakra, as with all tantric teachings, consistent guidance by a qualified master is required. Central to this guidance is an empowerment, or initiation, into the various visualizations of deities and mandalas, mantra recitation and all associated practices. Empowerment is analogous to the manner in which an unlit candle is poised to illuminate a dark room but requires the condition of another flame. In a similar manner, when a qualified master conducts an empowerment, the student’s spiritual potential can be ignited which allows their indwelling wisdom and compassion to shine forth.
Sometimes Kalachakra refers to the specific tantric deity. Kalachakra is a widely studied and practiced deity in Tibetan Buddhism. Tantric deities, of whom there is a wide variety, are believed to represent various aspects of the enlightened mind. For example, the Dalai Lama is said to be the human manifestation of the tantric deity, Avalokiteshvara, commonly referred to as the Buddha of Compassion. Practitioners of a specific tantric deity utilize complex visualization, mantra recitation, and concentration, to cultivate positive inner qualities in such as way that they will become manifest for the benefit of others.