Vajrayana


Vaj·ra·ya·na

V5008750 (väj′rə-yä′nə)n. One of the major schools of Buddhism, active especially in Tibet and Japan and emphasizing esoteric teachings and tantric practices as a means to enlightenment.
[Sanskrit Vajrayānam : vajraḥ, thunderbolt (considered in Hindu and Buddhist tradition to be made of an indestructible substance like diamond), diamond, Buddhist ritual implement representing the irresistible force of the thunderbolt and the indestructibility of diamondakin to Avestan vazrō, mace, Greek agnunai, to break, Hittite wāki, he bites) + yānam, vehicle; see ei- in Indo-European roots.]

Vajrayana

(ˌvʌdʒrʌˈjɑːnə) n (Buddhism) a school of Tantric Buddhism of India and Tibet[from Sanskrit: vehicle of the diamond or thunderbolt]