Outer Tantras, Lower Tantras

Tib., phyi rgyud

Also known as:
Outer Tantras of Secret Mantra Tib., gsang sngags phyi'i rgyud sde
Outer Secret Mantra Tib., gsang sngags phyi pa

The teachings and practices of these Outer Tantras are much concerned with purification of the self, thus preparing the adept to receive the wisdom of the Inner Tantras.

Kriya Tantra (Tib., bya-ba'i rgyud) or Kriya Yoga (Tib., bya-ba, "action")
On this level, the practice consists mainly of formal, ritual action.
Carya Tantra (Tib., spyod-pa'i rgyud)
The teachings of this category are in part external, in part internal in terms of actual practice, and include much attention to personal behavior and conduct (Tib., spyod-pa). Another name for this level of teachings is Upa Yoga (Tib., gnyis ka, "both"), showing this level to be a combination of conduct according to Kriya Tantra with a view that belongs to Yoga Tantra.
Yoga Tantra (Tib., rnal-'byor-pa'i rgyud)
At this stage, most of the practice is interiorized and the adept aims at experiencing actual union (Tib., rnal-'byor) with the deity who is the object of his or her meditation.

Initiations:
To reach these levels of the teachings, the practitioner must usually undergo the first level of tantric initiation (Tib., dbang-bskur, Skt., abhiseka; "initiation, empowerment, sprinkling"), the so-called Vase or Flask Initiation (Tib., bum-dbang, Skt., kalasabhiseka); which actually consists of a whole series of initiations including those of the Five Families.