Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

certainly the Hinayana Sunyata teachings are
incomplete. Thus we see that philosophic background is
very important to differentiate esoteric Tantra from the
other yanas.
4. Direct Knowledge
The Tantras have expedient methods in the position of
consequence (Buddhahood). The Buddha teaches them
only from his experience of Full Enlightenment. Here
we are not concerned with experience derived from the
lower stages of the bodhisattva path. The knowledge
direct from Buddhahood is found in the Tantras and in
no other place. It is very rare, deep, and hard to
recognize; thus it is called "esoteric." The exoteric
doctrines are more obvious than the Tantras. The
difference between exoteric and esoteric Dharmas is
brought out in the following story:
I had a young friend studying the art of dyeing cloth in a
technical college. For three years he studied hard and
read many books, but even after that he did not become
proficient. Fortunately, he contacted a teacher who,
although a man of little book-knowledge, was very good
in his practical work. My friend spent a few hours with
him to see how the dyeing was done and as a result,
became quite adept at the craft himself. To know by a
few hours of experience is better than theoretical study
for years.
448