Nine yanas

Nine Yanas (Wyl. theg pa dgu) or nine successive vehicles (Wyl. theg pa rim pa dgu) — within the Nyingma tradition, the full spectrum of spiritual paths is divided into nine yanas, a system of practice bringing together all the approaches of the Buddha’s teaching into a single comprehensive path to enlightenment.

The Nine Yanas
the three outer yanas leading from the origin, i.e. the three yanas related to the outer vehicle of leading from the origin [of suffering] and the three pitakas of characteristics			the three yanas of vedic asceticism, i.e. the three yanas related to the inner vehicle of Vedic asceticism and the three outer classes of tantra			the three yanas of powerful transformative methods, i.e. the three yanas related to the secret vehicle of powerful transformative methods and the three inner classes of tantra
basic vehicle		mahayana	vajrayana
1. the shravaka yana	2. the pratyekabuddha yana	3. the bodhisattva yana	4. the yana of kriya tantra	5. the yana of charya tantra	6. the yana of yoga tantra	7. the yana of mahayoga	8. the yana of anuyoga	9. the yana of atiyoga

Commentary

Alak Zenkar Rinpoche writes:

The classification of 'nine successive yanas,' which is found in the Nyingma Early Translation tradition, is made up of:

• three outer vehicles leading from the origin [of suffering] and the three pitakas of characteristics,
• three inner vehicles of vedic asceticism and the three outer classes of tantra, and
• three secret vehicles of powerful transformative methods and the three inner classes of tantra.

External Link

• A Brief Presentation of the Nine Yanas by Alak Zenkar Rinpoche

Further Reading

• Sogyal Rinpoche, The Nine Yanas, from Dzogchen & Padmasambhava, republished by Zam in 2004.
• Dzogchen Ponlop, Wild Awakening (Boston & London: Shambhala, 2003), 'Part 3: The Dzogchen Journey'.
• Sogyal Rinpoche, Dzogchen & Padmasambhava, Rigpa Fellowship, 1989.
• Tulku Thondup, The Dzogchen Innermost Essence Preliminary Practice, LTWA, 1982, 'Part Three, The Nine Yanas'.