The Tantra (Its Origin, Theories, Art and Diffusion from India to Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia, China, Japan and Indonesia)

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Item Code: IDE061
Publisher: Abhinav Publication
Author: Victor M. Fic
Language: English
Edition: 2003
ISBN: 8170174244
Pages: 108 (Color Illus: 37, B & W Illus: 6, Maps: 2)
Cover: Hardcover
Other Details 11.0" X 8.8"
Weight 780 gm
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Book Description

From the Jacket:

The Tantra is a body of theories, techniques and rituals developed in India in antiquity, which has two fundamental aspects. The first aspect of the Tantra is the theory of creation, which posits that the universe has no beginning and no end, and that all its manifestations are merely the projections of divine energy of its Creator. The second aspect of the Tantra is the belief that the performance of Tantrik techniques and rituals facilitates access to this divine energy, enabling their practitioners to empower themselves, as well as empower other associated with them in the guru-disciple relationship. Thus the knowledge and proper application of Tantrik techniques and rituals is believed to harness the Creator's cosmic energies to the promotion of the mundane as well as spiritual goals of their practitioners.

Between the VII and the XII centuries A.D. these theories, rituals and practices spread to other parts of Asia. In these parts their interaction with indigenous traditions of shamanism and other magical cults resulted in potent hybrids. These not only served the personal needs of their practitioners, but were used by the kings of summon the cosmic forces to legitimize their right and power to rule the ancient monarchies. Elaborate and artistically beautiful icons were developed in sculpture, painting, bronze and bas-relief to portray the basic concept of Tantrik theories and various deities of the Hindu and Buddhist pantheons.

This book first explores the origin of the Tantra in India, its development and emergence of various schools of Hindu and Buddhist Tantrism over the centuries. Then it explores their spread from Tantrik universities in Bihar and other centres of Tantrik scholarship and rituals practiced in West Bengal, Orissa and South India at that time to Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia, China, Japan and Indonesia. The coloured Plates illustrate the iconographic presentation of the basic theories and concepts of the Tantra, as well as various deities associated with the pantheons of Hindu and Buddhist Tantrism drawn from different parts of the world.

Some aspects of the Tantra live in many parts of the Eastern and the Western worlds as numerous schools of Yoga, until today. The system of Kundalini Yoga is particularly popular for the attainment of good health, personal well-being, happiness, professional success and other more spiritual needs of modern men and women.

About the Author:

Victor M. Fic (BA, MA, MA, PhD, PhD, Certificate of Russian Institute, Diploma in Indology), Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.

 

CONTENTS

 

Preface

 

7
Foreword by Prof. Lokesh Chandra

 

13
Plates and Maps

 

19
CHAPTER 1
THE ORIGIN OF THE TANTRA
    The Meaning of the Tantra     23
    The Non-Aryan Origin of the Tantra     24

 

23
CHAPTER II
THE HINDU TANTRA
    Theory of Creation     27
    Sakti and Its Potencies     28
    Maya Creates Illusions     31
    Brahma-Cakra: The Cosmic Oscillation     32
    Kundalini Yoga Theory     34
    Kundalini Yoga Practice     35
        Desire and Meditation     36
        The Role of Mantras     36
        The Role of Yantras     37
    Main Schools of Hindu Tantrism     40
 
27
CHAPTER III
THE BUDDHIST TANTRA
    The Origin of Buddhist Tantra     43
    The Vajrayana School     45
    The Sahajayana     49
    The Kalacakrayana     49
    The Mantrayana     51
 
43
CHAPTER IV
INTERACTION OF THE BUDDHIST AND HINDU TANTRAS
    The Buddhist Siddhiacaryas     54
    The Nath Cult     54
    The Vaisnava Sahajayana Cult     54
    The Bauls of Bengal     55
 
53
CHAPTER V
DIFFUSION OF THE HINDU AND BUDDHIST TANTRAS
    Evolution of Tantrik Buddhism     57
    Diffusion of the Tantra     58
        THE NORTHERN ROUTE:
            Hindu Tantra: Nepal     58
            Buddhist Tantra: Tibet, China, Korea, Japan, Mongolia, Siberia     58
        THE SOUTHERN ROUTE:
            Hindu and Buddhist Tantra: Sumatra, Java     62
        Candi Sukuh: Tantrik Sivaism as Bhima Cult     66
 
57
NOTES

 

71
BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

87
INDEX 103

 


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