instructions from superior masters: The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche characterizes recognition as follows: Secrecy This conspicuous aspect of Vajrayana Buddhism is esoteric. In this context esoteric means that the transmission of certain accelerating factors only occurs directly from teacher to student during an initiation and cannot be simply learned from a book. The term adhisthana (literally "blessing") refers to the spiritual energy that is received in the mindstream of the aspirant when successful transmission takes place. Many techniques are also commonly said to be secret, but some Vajrayana teachers have responded that the secrecy itself is not important but only a side-effect of the reality that the techniques have no validity outside the teacher-student lineage. As these techniques are said to be highly effective, when not practiced properly, the practitioner can be harmed physically and mentally. In order to avoid these kind of dangers, the practice is kept secret. According to the Dalai Lama in The Gelug/Kagyü Tradition of Mahamudra: See also Esoteric transmission Subitism References Citations Works cited Tantric practices Dzogchen practices Shentong