Buddhism

====Tantra, visualization and the subtle body====
{{See also|Tibetan Tantric Practice|Vajrayana#Tantra_techniques}}
[[File:Schildering uit reeks over de Sarvavid Vairocana Mandala - Licht, anoniem, ca 1799, MAS.jpg|thumb|An 18th century Mongolian miniature which depicts the generation of the Vairocana Mandala]]
[[File:Практика_туммо.jpg|thumb|A section of the Northern wall mural at the [[Lukhang]] Temple depicting ''tummo'', the three channels (''nadis'') and ''phowa'']]

Some Buddhist traditions, especially those associated with Tantric Buddhism (also known as Vajrayana and Secret Mantra) use images and symbols of deities and Buddhas in meditation. This is generally done by mentally visualizing a Buddha image (or some other mental image, like a symbol, a mandala, a syllable, etc.), and using that image to cultivate calm and insight. One may also visualize and identify oneself with the imagined deity.{{sfnp|Trainor|2004|p=87}}<ref>{{cite book|author=Luis Gomez|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zaC4CgAAQBAJ|title=Buddhism in Practice|publisher=Princeton University Press|year=2015|isbn=978-1-4008-8007-2|editor=Donald S. Lopez Jr.|pages=236–243}}</ref> While visualization practices have been particularly popular in Vajrayana, they may also found in Mahayana and Theravada traditions.{{sfnp|Trainor|2004|pp=86–87}}

In Tibetan Buddhism, unique tantric techniques which include visualization (but also [[mantra]] recitation, [[mandala]]s, and other elements) are considered to be much more effective than non-tantric meditations and they are one of the most popular meditation methods.{{sfnp|Powers|2007|p=250}} The methods of ''[[Anuttarayoga Tantra|Unsurpassable Yoga Tantra]]'', (''anuttarayogatantra'') are in turn seen as the highest and most advanced. Anuttarayoga practice is divided into two stages, the ''Generation Stage'' and the ''Completion Stage.'' In the Generation Stage, one meditates on emptiness and visualizes oneself as a deity as well as visualizing its mandala. The focus is on developing clear appearance and divine pride (the understanding that oneself and the deity are one).<ref>Garson, Nathaniel DeWitt (2004). ''Penetrating the Secret Essence Tantra: Context and Philosophy in the Mahayoga System of rNying-ma Tantra'', p. 52</ref> This method is also known as deity yoga (''devata yoga''). There are numerous meditation deities (''[[yidam]]'') used, each with a mandala, a circular symbolic map used in meditation.{{sfnp|Trainor|2004|pp=88–89}}