In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Vāmapāṇi (वामपाणि) refers to the “left hand”, according to the second recension of the Yogakhaṇḍa of the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “In the meantime, once the goddess had crossed over the most excellent Yoga and once the fifth night had passed, she emerged from the middle of the Liṅga. [...] She (also has other forms with) two or six arms and, beautiful, sits on five ghosts. In the left hand (she holds) a skull [i.e., vāmapāṇi-kapāla-sthā] and (in her other) upraised hands (she holds a) noose and spear. Crooked, her body grey, she is Cāmuṇḍā, the accomplished Yoginī. This Vidyā, of many forms, is the woman who resides within the Triangle. Such is the visualized form of the goddess, the deity called Khageśī”.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: MDPI Books: The Ocean of Heroes

Vāmapāṇi (वामपाणि) refers to the “left hand”, according to the 10th-century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly, [while explaining the fire-circle (agnicakra)]: “[...] He certainly performs worship here with the left (vāmapāṇi) and right hands. [There are] beasts: Every [practitioner] gathered together should offer the meat [of beast] of all [kinds]. He should offer various kinds of beverage and a variety of foods (the lickable). Having risen from your seat, perform worship! O vajra-holder! Again, having come, [he should perform] the circle worship for the twelve [circles]. The Fire Circle, the first, in the Enjoyment Layer is thus [taught]”.

context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Vama, Pani.

Full-text: Kapalastha.

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