Discovering Buddhism at Home -FAQ

Module 13 - Introduction to Tantra

What is the difference between an empowerment and an initiation?

While I know it is ok to take teachings from different lineages once we have a strong base in our primary lineage, is it important to stick with one lineage when taking tantric empowerments?

What is the difference between an empowerment and an initiation?

A student asks:

I was wondering if anyone could explain the difference between an empowerment and an initiation?

Pende responds:

Initiation and empowerment are two different translations of the same Tibetan term dbang, pronounced "wong". According to one definition in the Nitartha Online Tibetan Dictionary, dbang is defined as:

dbang - 1) thob thang, power, force, might, control, potency, influence, authority, right to; 2) (CH ancient rank/ title; 3) (aabhishinytsa scatter, pour; 4) empowerment, initiation, abhisheka; 5) senses, faculty, sense [organ], mental faculty, ability, magnetizing, capacity; 6) ruler, lord, king, sovereignty; 7) [rite of] subjugation/ dominion; 8) be subject to/ ruled/ governed by/ under the control of; 8) * magnetizing; 9) own

Pende

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While I know it is ok to take teachings from different lineages once we have a strong base in our primary lineage, is it important to stick with one lineage when taking tantric empowerments?

A student asks:

When you get into the issue of tantric empowerments, it seems that lineage matters quite a bit, as receiving empowerments from a particular lineage creates strong (?) karmic bonds to that vajra master. And, so, I imagine that it'd be karmic soup to take empowerments from high masters from more than one lineage?

Nick replies:

When it comes to tantra, the most important thing is your guru. Any initiations I've taken have been with my Lamas' express or tacit approval. You need to be careful with whom you make that kind of connection and who better to guide you than your guru? If you don't have one, rather focus on finding one than on running around collecting this initiation and that.

Thubten Yeshe adds:

Lama Zopa pointed out in a private meeting that I had with him that one problem with studying with teachers from the different traditions is terminology. Many terms are defined and used differently in the various traditions. This can lead to misunderstanding and confusion if the student does not understand these differences.

This doesn't mean that one tradition is right and the other wrong, it means we have to understand the terminology and not be fixed on a single definition. This is easy for advanced practitioners, but often difficult for beginners.

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