Home > Society > Religion in India > Practice of Mahamudra
Practice of Mahamudra
Practice of Mahamudra is regarded as the highest level of teaching within Tibetan Buddhism. It requires proper instruction and guidance of a qualified teacher.

Share this Article:

Practice of MahamudraMahamudra in Vajrayana is considered as the highest level of teaching within Tibetan Buddhism. It is the realization of the very nature of mind itself. There is not a single experience which is not included within the consciousness of Mahamudra. In learning the mahamudra meditation proper instruction and guidance of a qualified teacher is very essential. Mahamudra is frequently preceded by pointing-out instruction.

The practice of Mahamudra is done through transmission of few of the texts verbally and also through empowerments and `reading transmissions`. Before realising the formless practices a practitioner first needs to practise various Tantric practices. These meditative practices of Mahamudra are divided into two approaches that have been described below.

Mahamudra Samatha and Vipasyana
According to the Buddhist schools of meditation, the two meditative approaches of mahamudra have been divided into Samatha which means tranquillity and Vipasyana that means special insight.

Mahamudra Samatha
Mahamudra Samatha deals with instructions on different postures and breathing exercises for meditation. It also guides the practitioner with instructions on identifying our subtle mind. The Mahamudra Samatha also preaches about the teachings on how to control a mind that is overwhelmed with various obstacles and thoughts. There are usually two types of Mahamudra Samatha that are taught, samatha with support and samatha without support.

Mahamudra Samatha with support engages the utilisation of an item of attention to which the mediator continually returns his attention. One of the main techniques involved in Mahamudra samatha with support is mindfulness of breathing. It helps in calming the mind to prepare it for the stages that follow. For the Kagyupa, in the context of mahamudra, mindfulness of breathing is thought to be the ideal way for the meditator to transition into taking the mind itself as the object of meditation and generating vipasyana on that basis.

Mahamudra Samatha without support engages in objectless meditation. Here the practitioner rests the mind without the use of a specific focal point.

Mahamudra Vipasyana
For Mahamudra Vipasyana, Wangchuck Dorje had given ten separate contemplations that help to unveil the essential mind within; five practices of `looking at` and five of `pointing out` the nature of mind. They all presume some level of stillness cultivated by mahamudra shamatha. These elaborate directions for the insight practices make mahamudra exclusive in Tibetan Buddhism.


Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter
Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in Religion in India

Religion in Indus Valley Civilization
Religion in Indus Valley Civilisation included Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Details about the religion in Indus Valley Civilization have been gathered from archaeological artefacts.
Shaivism Religion
Shaivism is the second largest “religious community” in modern India with its roots deeply seated in the Hindu Vedic belief.
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is among the more popular denominations of Hinduism, with its own distinctive ideas about spirituality and morality. Vaishnavism concentrates on worshipping god Vishnu and of his incarnations.
Hinduism Religion
Hinduism is more of a philosophy which is a way of living according to the understanding of the principles of Vedas and Upanishads.
Islam
Islam is a religion that beliefs in Allah as the one and only God and creator of the Universe. Islamic law or Sharia is characterised by the five pillars of Islam which comprise the essential duties of every Muslim.
Christianity
Christianity is a religion based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ and it is the largest religion in the world.
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and a philosophy that encompasses a wide variety of beliefs, practices and traditions that are chiefly based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha and its later disciples.
Jainism
Jainism chronologically preceded the religion of Buddhism. It is considered as one of the oldest religions of India. Jainism in India shared with Hinduism and Buddhism. It is an integral part of South Asian religious belief and practice, but it is not a Hindu sect and not a Buddhist heresy, as earlier scholars believed.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism, closely related to Judaism, Christianity and Islam was founded by Zoroaster.
Sikhism
Sikhism is a religion started by Guru Nanak in land of Punjab in 15th century A.D.
Iyer Brahmin
Iyer Brahmins are originally from Tamil Nadu of South India. The Iyers have always taken an interest in preserving the arts and sciences.
Barai Caste
Barai Caste is the professional cultivator caste of betel leaf. Tamboli and Pansari are the terms used indifferently to the people of Barai Caste. The diversity of names of the sub-divisions of Barai Caste highlights the mixed elements that formed the caste.
Dangi Caste
Dangi Caste is largely distributed in the high land regions, and the word Dangi is said to have originated from the geographical features of their territory. Main occupation of the members of Dangi Caste is cultivation.
Nadar Caste
One of the most renowned castes of Tamil Nadu is the Nadar caste. The Nadar community is a mixture of sub-castes and classes of different origins, which came under one banner of Nadar caste gradually.
Kumbhakar Caste
Kumbhakar is the potter caste who manufactures all kinds of earthen vessels.
Gujjars in Maharashtra
Gujjars in Maharashtra have several sub-castes. Here, in this state the Gurjars are listed as a separate caste. They are included in the Maharashtra OBC list.
Awasthi Brahmin
Awasthi is a surname or a family name of a particular sub-caste of Brahmins in the Indian continent.
Bhoyar Caste
Bhoyar Caste is largely found in the Central Provinces of the country. Traditional occupation of Bhoyars is agriculture. They are good cultivators and mostly grow sugarcane.
Gujjars in Mughal Era
Gujjars in the Mughal era enjoyed great power. Further their power increased with the decline of Aurangzeb, Mughal emperor.
Origin of Vaishnavism
Origin of Vaishnavism shares its attributes to many sources and religious evolution, dating back to pre-Vedic epoch.
Gotra in Hinduism
In Hinduism, gotra refers to a lineage system tracing descent from ancient sages, primarily through the paternal line. Originating from Vedic tradition, it plays a crucial role in identity and marriage customs. Individuals from the same gotra are considered to share a common ancestor and are traditionally prohibited from intermarrying.