Three yanas of powerful transformative methods 三內密（能作強力轉化的法門）

Three yanas of powerful transformative methods (Tib. wangyur tab kyi tekpa sum; Wyl. dbang sgyur thabs kyi theg pa gsum) — within the classification of nine yanas, these are the three yanas based on the three inner tantras of the Nyingma school:

• the yana of mahayoga,
• the yana of anuyoga and
• the yana of atiyoga.

You might wonder why these are called ‘vehicles of powerful transformative methods.’ It is because they include powerful methods for transforming all phenomena into great purity and equalness.

Dudjom Rinpoche explains that:

All three inner tantras are mutually pervasive, incorporating aspects of one another. A certain practice is classified as Maha-, Anu- or Atiyoga in reference to what is emphasized or is foremost in it. The prominent feature of a Mahayoga practice is the development stage, that of Anuyoga is the completion stage, while that of Atiyoga is the cultivation of the realization of the void sphere of all things. Each of these practices, however, has development (Maha), completion (Anu) and Dzogchen (Ati) stages.

Further Reading

• Tulku Thondup, Masters of Meditation and Miracles, edited by Harold Talbott (Boston: Shambhala, 1996), Part One, 'Lineages of Three Major Nyingma Inner Tantras'.