Significance of Tantra
Synonyms: Spiritual practice, Mystical philosophy, Meditative techniques, Yoga, Esoteric tradition, Spiritual discipline
In Dutch: Tantra; In Finnish: Tantra; In Spanish: Tantra
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Tantra'
Tantra in Buddhism encompasses esoteric scriptures and practices, particularly in Tibetan Buddhism, aimed at achieving enlightenment. It involves rituals, meditation techniques, and philosophies, integrating wisdom and compassion to provide a path towards spiritual attainment.
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) A type of esoteric knowledge and practice in Buddhism that grags pa seng ge engaged in.[1] (2) Esoteric scriptures and practices in Tibetan Buddhism that aim to achieve enlightenment and are central to the teachings of the Gandenpa tradition.[2] (3) A spiritual tradition within Buddhism that includes esoteric practices, rituals, and teachings aimed at achieving enlightenment.[3] (4) A class of important texts within Buddhism that Dpal ldan byang chub rtse mo studied and mastered.[4] (5) Holy texts and practices important in Tibetan Buddhism, studied by kun spangs pa and his disciples.[5]
From: Guhyagarbha Tantra (with Commentary)
(1) Scriptures or texts in Tibetan Buddhism that include teachings on rituals, meditations, and philosophical insights.[6] (2) Sacred texts that provide guidance on the principles and practices necessary for achieving spiritual goals.[7] (3) Sacred texts that provide insights into the practices and philosophies of Buddhism, often intertwined with rituals and meditative practices.[8] (4) A category of esoteric texts in Buddhism that outlines advanced meditative practices and philosophies, often emphasizing ritual and initiation.[9]
From: The Six Yogas of Naropa
(1) A spiritual practice and teachings that utilize various techniques aiming for enlightenment, particularly within Vajrayana Buddhism.[10] (2) A set of teachings in Tibetan Buddhism that encompasses various practices, techniques and meditative paths.[11]
From: The gods of northern Buddhism
(1) A class of scriptures in Buddhism that teaches spiritual practices; Kuvera plays an important role within these texts.[12] (2) Tantra refers to a mystic and ceremonial aspect of Buddhism that's associated with practices involving rituals and energetic exchanges between deities.[13] (3) A significant religious development that appeared in the 6th century.[14] (4) Esoteric invocations in Tibetan Buddhism that are an integral part of the liturgical services and rituals.[15]
From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara
(1) A broad category of scriptures and teachings within Buddhism, emphasizing specific meditative practices and philosophical principles.[16]
From: Karandavyuha Sutra
(1) A category of esoteric texts in Buddhism that outline rituals, meditations, and philosophical teachings.[17]
From: The Great Chariot
(1) A category of Buddhist scriptures that provide teachings and practices designed to lead practitioners towards enlightenment, emphasizing the integration of wisdom and compassion.[18]
Hindu concept of 'Tantra'
In Hinduism, Tantra represents a diverse set of spiritual practices, rituals, and texts emphasizing esoteric knowledge and personal realization, focusing on the union of cosmic energies and the relationship between the individual and the universe.
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) Sacred texts of esoteric Buddhism that focus on tantras, which are considered crucial for achieving enlightenment.[19] (2) A classification of scriptures that serve to outline methods of worship within specific Hindu traditions.[20] (3) Scriptural texts which involve specific rituals and practices within Hinduism aimed at achieving Liberation and understanding the divine.[21] (4) Tantra refers to a spiritual tradition that uses specific techniques, rituals, and teachings for achieving spiritual goals, often addressing the nature of reality and the interconnection of all beings.[22] (5) A genre of scriptures in Hinduism that includes practical methods of worship and philosophical teachings, encompassing both ritual and meditative practices.[23]
From: Varahi Tantra (English Study)
(1) Docutrines that are revelations of the Supreme Lord, intended for the grace of the universe.[24]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) A class of scriptures that includes teachings related to mystical practices and philosophy, cited in the text.[25] (2) Spiritual texts that speak about the transcendental beauty of Nanda-suta, surpassing that of material senses.[26] (3) Texts that also contain topics of violent activities like hypnotizing and torturing ...[27] (4) Tantras are a set of teachings, and Gopinatha Acarya was acknowledged as a knower of these esoteric texts.[28]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) Esoteric texts that are the subject of the narrator's commentary, emphasizing spiritual practices.[29] (2) A group of advanced scriptures that offer esoteric teachings and practices related to spiritual development.[30]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) A spiritual text or practice that explores the inner workings of the universe and the methods of achieving direct experience of divinity.[31] (2) A system of spiritual teachings and rituals that lead to mystical and philosophical insights.[32]
From: Sri Krishna-Chaitanya
(1) Religious texts and doctrines that elaborate on spiritual practice and rituals, including the Pancharatra specifically related to Vaishnavism.[33]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) A philosophy concerning the relationship between the individual and the universe, recognizing both unity and duality.[34] (2) A group of scriptures and teachings that provide alternative methods and practices for spirituality.[35] (3) A set of spiritual practices that can be considered authoritative if it does not conflict with the Vedas.[36]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) Occult texts and traditions that provide guidelines and practices for spiritual development, often employing visual symbolism.[37]
From: Agni Purana
(1) Body of literature focused on mystical practices and rituals, including worship of deities.[38]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) A class of Hindu texts distinctly associated with the worship of Shakti, different from the Puranas.[39]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
(1) Texts that describe various modes of purification and rules for Yogic practices.[40] (2) Ancient texts and teachings that reference the Brahma-randhra with great reverence, emphasizing its importance in spiritual practice.[41] (3) A body of scriptures that elaborate on various spiritual practices, including those related to muttering and rituals essential for spiritual liberation.[42]
From: Shat-cakra-nirupana (the six bodily centres)
(1) The authoritative texts that provide guidance on the practices and principles of spiritual realization.[43]
From: Lakulisha-Pashupata (Philosophy and Practice)
(1) A spiritual discipline that blends Hindu ritualistic practices, which is said to co-exist with the Pasupata philosophy stemming from Lakulisa.[44] (2) A spiritual framework emphasizing esoteric practices and focusing on the union of masculine and feminine energies symbolized in Vedic traditions.[45] (3) A spiritual tradition using rituals and mystical practices, closely associated with Lakulisa in Orissa.[46]
From: Gitartha Samgraha (critical Study)
(1) A term encompassing all shastras followed by sadhakas with specific traditional meanings.[47]
From: Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture)
(1) Another group of texts within Vastu literature that focuses on esoteric practices and rituals.[48] (2) An applied form of knowledge linked to the Atharva-veda, encompassing various rituals and practices including architectural theory.[49] (3) A class of ancient literature associated with religious architecture and image-making, still largely unexplored in study.[50]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) A system of Hindu philosophy that emphasizes ritual worship and meditation practices.[51] (2) The foundational rituals or handbook of ritual associated with the worship of deities in temple settings.[52] (3) A body of teachings and practices relating to the rituals necessary for spiritual attainment.[53]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) The accepted view or understanding in this context, contrasting with other interpretations discussed.[54] (2) A method through which a concept demonstrates multiplicity, as understood by the abhedavadins.[55]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) A spiritual and religious practice that often intersects with themes of magic, sexuality, and excess within Hindu and Buddhist traditions.[56] (2) A collection of scriptures in Hinduism that outline various rituals, including human sacrifices to deities like Candika.[57]
From: Shukra Niti by Shukracharya
(1) The Upaveda of Atharva-veda which involves various mantra uses and rites for spiritual purposes.[58]
The concept of Tantra in local and regional sources
Tantra encompasses a philosophical and spiritual tradition within Hinduism, emphasizing creative dynamics, rituals, and the worship of deities. It integrates concepts like Nada and Bindu, influencing arts and esoteric practices, notably at historical centers like Nalanda.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Ancient Indian scriptures focusing on spiritual practices and rituals, central to the author's teachings.[59] (2) Esoteric texts that provide instructions on rituals, philosophy, and worship in Hinduism and Buddhism, influencing iconography.[60] (3) A spiritual practice that found a home at Nalanda and has influenced art and iconography.[61] (4) A philosophical approach that offers the concepts of Nada and Bindu as part of understanding the creative process and energetic dynamics involved in it.[62] (5) A general study of philosophies dealing with consciousness and spiritual practices, as presented by Manoranjan Basu.[63]
From: Diaspora of Bhuta (Daiva) worshipping cult—India and Indonesia
(1) A term that refers to some eccentric traditions within the Agama literature, particularly related to Shakta Agamas.[64] (2) A religious practice within Hinduism that involves intricate rituals and meditation, often associated with the worship of deities such as Lalita-Tripurasundari.[65] (3) A religious and philosophical tradition within Hinduism that emphasizes rituals and the worship of deities, within which the Dhumavati mythology is mentioned.[66]
From: Tibet (Myth, Religion and History)
(1) A branch of teachings within Bon religion that was spread during the time of Tonpa Shenrab and later defined by prophecy.[67]
From: Formal Education System in Ancient India
(1) A field of study popular among students at Nalanda that involved the practices and theories of esoteric traditions.[68]
The concept of Tantra in scientific sources
Tantra is integral to Ayurveda as it provides systematic frameworks crucial for constructing and comprehending Ayurvedic theories, emphasizing structured methodologies in healing practices and holistic health approaches.
From: Ayushdhara journal
(1) A spiritual movement that influenced Ayurveda and other sciences, emphasizing the dual male and female elements in the universe and practices like alchemy.[69] (2) A spiritual and philosophical system that emphasizes rituals and practices to understand and manipulate the natural forces of the universe.[70]
From: Ancient Science of Life
(1) In the context of Ayurveda, it refers to the methodological frameworks guiding the construction and understanding of theories.[71]