Essence of Vajrayana traditon The secret Mantrayana is hidden (skt. Guhya) because it is not appropriate for the common people. It is however, fit for the advanced practitioner well versed in Emptiness, Bodhicitta and Renunciation. There are two factors in the Mantra vehicle:

a) Pride in oneself as the deity

b) Vivid appearance of that deity

Divine pride protects one from ordinary appearance and through this change in attitude the pride of being a deity emerges. Forms are viewed as the emanation of the deity and the deity itself is the product of the mind and sounds as the mantras of that deity.

In order to embark on this practice of Vajrayana one should have the initiation or empowerment of a particular deity from a qualified Guru. By this empowerment the dis-ciple will learn the exact nature and classification of the tantric system into which he is to be introduced. He will also know the nature of mandala and pre-requisites for the disciple and the stage of the empowerment to be followed. It is desirable for the artists and sculptors to have at least one initiation of Highest Yoga Tantra under a qualified Guru and learn fundamental tenets of Mahayana and Vajrayana practices.