Vajrayana
Literal Meaning
Diamond vehicle
Etymology & Sanskrit Root
Sanskrit 'vajra' (thunderbolt/diamond) + 'yana' (vehicle): the tantric branch of Mahayana Buddhism prominent in Tibet.
Spiritual Insight & Context
Vajrayana practice makes heavy use of ritual, visualization, and empowerment, building on Mahayana philosophy with additional esoteric methods said to speed the path to awakening.