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
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'.