The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Vajra Yana Buddhism: Reflections of a Buddhist Feminist

It has been exciting, however, to discover that this topic strongly brings together my personal meditation practice and my professional interests. When I initially chose this topic, I wanted to reflect on my acquaintance with the practice of the sadhana of Vajrayogini, which I have been doing for the past three years. Traditionally, it is said that this practice, which is somewhat advanced, involves developing the "feminine principle." The sadhana of Vajrayogini is a very traditional and important practice in Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, especially within the Karma Kagyu lineage.·* Usually this practice is assigned to the student after considerable practice in formless samatha-vipashyana practice (somewhat similar to Zazen) and after completion of ngundro (theVajrayana preliminaries), but typically, it is also the first sadhana, the first so-called "deityyoga" or yidam practice, that one does. Vajrayogini is called "the glorious co-emergent Mother;" she is female in her