Tantric Buddhism, also known as Vajrayana, is a combination of concepts, ideas, and practices from Hinayana and Mahayana teachings. It is said to be three parts or elements to the path Vajrayana. First, a foundation of ideas are established in the Hinayana texts and teachings. Second, Mahayana forms a practical and more structured set of practices that were developed from the Hinayana ideas. Third, the combination of both teachings now having a set structure to form a finalized approach to life, Vajrayana. To complete the journey through Vajrayana, one must travel and understand the first two sections,

The "mandala offering" offers an assortment of physical activities with tangible material objects. These mandalas (gold, jewels, ect.) are offered to buddhas, bodhisattvas, and gurus through visualizations in meditation. When these offerings are given to the buddhas, bodhisattvas, and gurus they act as a symbol for an offering that encompasses everything in the entire universe. This practice is excellent way to receive merit and allow oneself to lose the attachment to material objects. It is also customary for a "mandala offering" practitioner to perform this ritual over one hundred thousand times.

The "yoga tantra" emphasizes internal yoga. In this form of meditation oneself is visualized in a normal state and as a deity. Then the practitioners must force the deity to enter the normal state of oneself. This conventional level of meditation allows one to imagine the appearance of self and of a holy being as one. "Yoga tantra" practitioners are able to reach buddhahood in a minimum of three lifetimes.

Tibetan Buddhists are under the impression that all beings are born into this world with a predetermined of suffering then death. This resulted from the appalling actions and misfortunes of our previous lives. In order to attempt to reverse one's predetermined fate, it is a necessity to engage oneself in tantric practices. These practices combine actions with mental images to alter the mind to primarily contemplate thoughts about religious practice and the benefit of others, as opposed to one's previous common thoughts, concerns, and desires. The five preliminary practices consist of: (1) taking refuge, (2) prostration, (3) Vajrasattva meditation, (4) mandala offerings, and (5) guru yoga.

Throughout all four classes of tantric practices and after completing all five preliminary practices there is one selfless, unselfish, and gratifying reward; enlightenment.

In the partial prostration only the knees, forehead is touched and palms touch the ground. During prostrations it is extremely important to have an appropriate mental state of mind enabling oneself to be connected and aware of tantric visualizations. Prostrations with chants or prayers are commonly used as a confession of one's wrongdoings. It is customary for a person to perform over one hundred thousand prostrations before the practice of tantra.

A new level of life is now reached as one is brought into the vajra world. "Abhisheka" is the ritual of entering this new portion of life. A vajra guru must bless the mind, body, and speech. The teacher, vajra guru, and the student must join their energy together to create "abhisheka." This connects the individual to the holy world of the divine being. The "Abhisheka" is understood as an "interaction in the guru's mind." This interaction creates a connection between the teacher and student in which their countless number of thoughts are as one.

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