Nine yanas

Nine Yanas (Wyl. theg pa dgu) or nine successive vehicles (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.

1. Shravaka yana
2. Pratyekabuddha yana
3. Bodhisattva yana
4. Kriya Tantra
5. Charya Tantra
6. Yoga Tantra
7. Mahayoga
8. Anuyoga
9. 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'.