Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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This is an introduction to Yamantaka 大威德明王, the wrathful emanation of Manjushri, and the esoteric Buddhist ritual traditions associated with him. Our source text is an 8th century Tang dynasty ritual manual (“Buddhist grimoire?”) translated by Amoghavajra. We build on the previous video on the Six Syllable Mantra and Avalokitesvara by exploring mandalas, mantras, mudras, and initiation, the four pillars of Buddhist magic.

I also want to explore the tensions between these types of mystical practices and more mainstream contemplative Buddhism.

To learn more, see: benebellwen.com/2026/04/11/yamantaka ‎

“Rite and Rituals of Yamantaka” Source: 聖閻曼德迦威怒王立成大神驗念誦法 (The Method of Recitation for the Holy Yamantaka, the Wrathful King, to Manifest Great Miraculous Efficacy), translated from Sanskrit to medieval Chinese by Amoghavajra 不空 (705 AD – 774 AD). Chinese Buddhist Electronic Text Association (CBETA) Online 歡迎使用, 《大正新脩大藏經》 第21冊 No.1214, https://cbetaonline.dila.edu.tw/zh/T1214

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Lecture Overview
01:16 Introduction to Esoteric Buddhism & Yamantaka
03:13 Yamantaka, Manifestation of Wrathful Wisdom
06:05 Doctrinal Source of Yamantaka Rites
07:20 Rites and Rituals of Yamantaka (750 AD)
08:18 The Wrath King’s Origin’s Story
10:11 Recitation: Root Mantra of Yamantaka
11:06 About Yamantaka’s Root Mantra
11:55 Om Yamantaka Hum (Phet)
12:07 On Root Mantras in Esoteric Buddhism
13:13 Yamantaka’s Initiatory Empowerment
14:36 Effective as Divine Justice Only; Consequences for Abuse
15:49 Spell for the Downfall of Harmful Oppressors
17:15 The Spear Mudra, Channeling & Directing Out
18:32 The Root Mudra, Amplifying Personal Power
18:57 Using the Spear Mudra vs. Root Mudra
19:57 Mandalas in Esoteric Buddhism; Yamantaka’s Mandala
22:31 A Closed Initiatory Practice
23:53 Starting with the Six Syllable Mantra Prior to Yamantaka Empowerment
24:19 Is the Guru-Student Path the Only Way to Receiving Empowerments?
25:25 The Middle Path between Kuan Yin and Yamantaka
26:27 Reviewing the Four Pillars of Buddhist Secret Teachings
27:00 Spell for Subduing an Adversary I
28:43 Spell for Injuring an Adversary II
29:44 Antidote Spell for Ending the Calamities
30:39 Spell for Breaking Up Close Allies or Lovers
32:17 Spell for the Downfall of a Powerful One
32:46 Spell for Fulfilling a Wish
33:15 Purpose for Detailing the Spells in the 8th c. Grimoire
33:37 Distancing Buddhist Magic from Mainstream Buddhism
35:48 Esoteric Buddhism Across East Asia in History
37:31 My Purpose for Sharing Insights into this Practice