Significance of Tantra
Synonyms: Spiritual practice, Mystical philosophy, Meditative techniques, Yoga, Esoteric tradition, Mystical path, Spiritual discipline
In Dutch: Tantra; In German: Tantra; In Finnish: Tantra; In Spanish: Tantra; In Swedish: Tantra; In Malay: Tantra; In French: Tantra; In Portugese: Tantra; In Italian: Tantra; In Polish: 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, teachings, and practices, often involving rituals, meditation, and philosophical insights. It emphasizes advanced meditative practices, personal transformation, and enlightenment, particularly within Vajrayana Buddhism, taught by various teachers.
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) They are practices that were imitated by those mentioned in the Prajngaparamita, as noted by Lord Maitripada.[1] (2) The Dharmasvamin used to preach all the texts belonging to the Tantra and Prajnaparamita classes in respect to the agama-dharma.[2] (3) It is one of the subjects thoroughly studied for thirteen years by yon tan gzungs, with precepts and instructions.[3] (4) This refers to a body of sacred texts or teachings, which Kulika is said to have taught to Kalacakrapada.[4] (5) A type of esoteric knowledge and practice in Buddhism that grags pa seng ge engaged in.[5]
From: The Six Yogas of Naropa
(1) The Tantra is a source of knowledge and instructions, including the Tantra of Bde-Mchog, Expounding Tantra Sambhodra of Hevajra, and Dorn Tyun Tantra.[6] (2) The teaching is the quintessence of Tantra, a teaching of profundity and the happiness-bestower, emphasizing its importance.[7] (3) A teaching or system whose principles are against dispensing with the Arising Yoga, and its authoritative commentaries and principles which are contradicted by those who would disregard Arising Yoga, also including the Yoga of Forms and the practice of the two Yogas.[8] (4) A spiritual practice and teachings that utilize various techniques aiming for enlightenment, particularly within Vajrayana Buddhism.[9] (5) A set of teachings in Tibetan Buddhism that encompasses various practices, techniques and meditative paths.[10]
From: The gods of northern Buddhism
(1) Items held by the angry Yi-dam such as skull-cup, vajra, chopper, &c.[11] (2) A class of scriptures in Buddhism that teaches spiritual practices; Kuvera plays an important role within these texts.[12] (3) Tantra refers to a mystic and ceremonial aspect of Buddhism that's associated with practices involving rituals and energetic exchanges between deities.[13] (4) A significant religious development that appeared in the 6th century.[14] (5) Esoteric invocations in Tibetan Buddhism that are an integral part of the liturgical services and rituals.[15]
From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara
(1) Important writings of the Old Translation School, one of which is the Guhyagarbhatantra.[16] (2) A broad category of scriptures and teachings within Buddhism, emphasizing specific meditative practices and philosophical principles.[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 encompasses diverse teachings and practices. It includes scriptures detailing rituals, mystical practices, and philosophical insights. Tantra offers methods for spiritual attainment, often involving worship, esoteric knowledge, and the integration of ritual and meditation. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of the individual and the universe.
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) Tantras are Scriptures of the Agama, not a mere byproduct of Hinduism, but an integral part, with three chief divisions: Bengal (Gauda), Kashmira, and Kerala, therefore, the Tantras are important texts.[19] (2) The Tantras contain the Shakta teaching, revealing profundities only to the competent and holding a practical doctrine applicable to all classes of worshippers.[20] (3) The text focuses on a series of works on the "Tantra", specifically mentioning a new volume added to the series that deals with a Tibetan work on the same subject, showing the importance of the Tantra in Indian and Tibetan thought.[21] (4) These are scriptures that are essentially the MantraShastra and are also the textual source of Mantras; the latter scripture is generally called MantraShastra by Sadhakas.[22] (5) Sacred texts of esoteric Buddhism that focus on tantras, which are considered crucial for achieving enlightenment.[23]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) A class of scriptures that includes teachings related to mystical practices and philosophy, cited in the text.[24] (2) Spiritual texts that speak about the transcendental beauty of Nanda-suta, surpassing that of material senses.[25] (3) Texts that also contain topics of violent activities like hypnotizing and torturing ...[26] (4) Tantras are a set of teachings, and Gopinatha Acarya was acknowledged as a knower of these esoteric texts.[27]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) A text where it is written that the preliminary stage of prema is called bhava, which involves a few sattvika-bhavas such as tears and hairs standing on end.[28] (2) A spiritual text or practice that explores the inner workings of the universe and the methods of achieving direct experience of divinity.[29] (3) A system of spiritual teachings and rituals that lead to mystical and philosophical insights.[30]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) Esoteric texts that are the subject of the narrator's commentary, emphasizing spiritual practices.[31] (2) A group of advanced scriptures that offer esoteric teachings and practices related to spiritual development.[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) Tantras are deluding schools taught by various persons, stimulating people to worship Vishnu, Maheshvara, Sun, and Ganesha, detracting them from worshipping the Devi.[34] (2) A philosophy concerning the relationship between the individual and the universe, recognizing both unity and duality.[35] (3) A group of scriptures and teachings that provide alternative methods and practices for spirituality.[36] (4) A set of spiritual practices that can be considered authoritative if it does not conflict with the Vedas.[37]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) Occult texts and traditions that provide guidelines and practices for spiritual development, often employing visual symbolism.[38]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) A class of Hindu texts distinctly associated with the worship of Shakti, different from the Puranas.[39]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) For the Shudra the mantras used should be those prescribed in the Tantras, and give them names ending in dasa, also providing them with the holy thread and upper cloth reciting the Guna-mantra.[40] (2) The teaching of the tantra (Shastra) indicates that one who understands Yoga must have regard only to service rendered to God. This understanding is vital when there is doubt about which work aligns with true knowledge and which goes against it.[41] (3) A treatise or teaching, which is the literal translation of Arianul and is the same as the teachings of dharma, that is referred to in the works of the early Alvars.[42] (4) The tantra (Pancaratra text) is the text that prescribes the manner in which the worship of Hari (Vishnu) should be performed, and the officiating priest follows its instructions.[43] (5) A system of Hindu philosophy that emphasizes ritual worship and meditation practices.[44]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) Tantra refers to extension and is a principle similar to prasanga, where the single performance of a subsidiary rite is prescribed and intended by the sacrificer to help more than one primary rite.[45] (2) The material mentions that the act of mentioning two separate words in a condensed form is done through "tantra", with the connection between the words varying based on the hearer.[46] (3) This is the principle of compressing several forms into one, where the compressed form represents all of them.[47] (4) The capability of a single utterance to communicate multiple meanings or concepts simultaneously within a linguistic system.[48] (5) This is the law of extension, which dictates that the same word can stand for two different forms, which is explained within the provided text.[49]
From: Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
(1) Tantra is a symptom associated with hyperglycemia and Ama, suggesting a feeling of heaviness or sluggishness.[50] (2) This is a topic explained in the Dvadashalakshani.[51] (3) Tantra is another part of the Hindu texts that is correlated with the integrated approach of Sanskrit language and universal consciousness, as the text describes the creation of the universe.[52]
From: International Research Journal of Ayurveda and Yoga
(1) It is an ancient practice that originated from the Vedas, sharing fundamental principles.[53] (2) Later on, it was explored by various tantric to attain siddhis.[54] (3) It is a pure path of yoga, where the body is considered a system, and it involves esoteric details of the Nath cult.[55]
From: Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine
(1) This refers to the condition of weakness, which can be relieved through Kawal grahan, as mentioned in Ashtanga Hridaya.[56]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
(1) This has a great number of other types of Yoga, and many variations of those named above, but they need not be noticed here.[57] (2) Texts that describe various modes of purification and rules for Yogic practices.[58] (3) Ancient texts and teachings that reference the Brahma-randhra with great reverence, emphasizing its importance in spiritual practice.[59] (4) A body of scriptures that elaborate on various spiritual practices, including those related to muttering and rituals essential for spiritual liberation.[60]
From: Shat-cakra-nirupana (the six bodily centres)
(1) The authoritative texts that provide guidance on the practices and principles of spiritual realization.[61]
From: Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture)
(1) Another group of texts within Vastu literature that focuses on esoteric practices and rituals.[62] (2) An applied form of knowledge linked to the Atharva-veda, encompassing various rituals and practices including architectural theory.[63] (3) A class of ancient literature associated with religious architecture and image-making, still largely unexplored in study.[64]
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.[65] (2) A collection of scriptures in Hinduism that outline various rituals, including human sacrifices to deities like Candika.[66]
From: Shukra Niti by Shukracharya
(1) The Upaveda of Atharva-veda which involves various mantra uses and rites for spiritual purposes.[67]
From: Hayanaratna: The Jewel of Annual Astrology
(1) This refers to a text dealing with some particular aspect of astronomical or astrological doctrine.[68]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 1: Initiation, Mercury and Laboratory
(1) The preceptor should be a student of these texts, showing their dedication to learning and spiritual understanding.[69]
The concept of Tantra in local and regional sources
Tantra is multifaceted, encompassing spiritual practices, texts, and philosophical approaches. It appears in various forms, including esoteric traditions within Hinduism, Buddhism, and Bon religion. Tantra is a field of study, often involving rituals, meditation, and the worship of deities, emphasizing feminine expression and offering guides to Vedanta Philosophy.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) This is related to literature and philosophical subjects written by a prolific author, whose works include reviews of books and studies on cultural themes.[70] (2) A type of meditation technique that the author throws considerable light on.[71] (3) At some places one or more of the 18 ‘Vidyas’ were taught; and at some of them, Logic, and Buddhist ‘sutras’ and ‘tantras’ also.[72] (4) Described as the feminine element in life, worshipped for its emphasis on the feminine expression, concerned with consolidation, and the process by which perception is actualised.[73] (5) Ancient Indian scriptures focusing on spiritual practices and rituals, central to the author's teachings.[74]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) These are texts that represent the Vedic rituals in a modified form and direct the worship of different sects, which the author advises to read in conjunction with the Brahmanas.[75] (2) The Tantras are mentioned as containing materials that can break one's chain of transmigration, along with the Vedas, the Vedanta, the Philosophies, and the Puranas.[76] (3) This is a very slippery ground.[77] (4) Books that are very much like Puranas in some respects, and in some of them there is an attempt to revive the old sacrificial ideas of the Karma Kanda, according to the text.[78] (5) These texts, along with the Puranas and other books, are of secondary or tertiary authority and should only be followed to the extent that they agree with the Vedas; otherwise, they are to be rejected.[79]
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) This word's meaning is to act in the hand of a governor, or to be subordinate or secondary, in the context of astronomical texts.[80] (2) These are texts that predate the tenth century, and their occurrence in earlier Tantras is particularly significant because of the influence of Tantra on these Yoga traditions.[81] (3) This is another genre of Sanskrit astronomical literature, similar to the siddhanta, that are comprehensive works calculating planetary motions.[82]
The concept of Tantra in scientific sources
Tantra encompasses diverse meanings: a practice altering reality perception, a spiritual movement impacting sciences with dualistic elements, a methodological framework in Ayurveda, and a system emphasizing rituals to understand and manipulate universal forces.
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) Tantra involves traditions of yoga and meditation that consider the body as an innately pure site for realization, even while acknowledging previous beliefs that the body is an obstacle.[83] (2) The Seminal Heart tradition gradually included the tantric “alterity” into its own identity, according to the text, indicating a shift in approach.[84] (3) Tantra is a set of esoteric religious traditions that emphasize ritual, symbolism, and the harnessing of energy to achieve spiritual transformation, often involving practices that challenge conventional social norms.[85] (4) Tantra is listed as a keyword in the article, alongside ´Saivism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Yoga, and India.[86] (5) Tantra is common to both the New and Old schools, but the lineages and practices each adopted and championed are different, creating a divergence between the schools.[87]