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History of the Tantric Religion
Reprint of a classic on Tantra, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism. includes glossary.
483 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 19, 2021
This book bears a tagline— Historical, Ritualistic and Philosophical Study. Just one word seems to be missing— encyclopedic! It is undoubtedly the most comprehensive overview of Tantric Religion and Philosophy, without any pretension regarding new-age or cosmic knowledge.
But first let me give a broad description of the cintents.
Following a historically significant 'Preface', the book contains the following chapters~
1. Introduction: Basic information about Tantra and its relation with the Vedic, especially Vedantic system.
2. Tantric Literature: Various Tantra-s and their classifications.
3. External Influences and Interactions: Possible connections with China and West Asia.
4. The Primitive Substratum: Origin of Tantra and primitive social conditions.
5. Tantrism and the Earlier Forms of Indian Religious System: Popular, and to a great extent Institutional belief claims the Vedas to be the sole source of religious practices in India. This chapter methodically proves that the truth is dramatically different.
6. Development of Tantric Buddhism: Although Benoytosh Bhattacharya's seminal works are available to us, those notions have been revisited and analysed afresh, in this chapter.
7. Tantric Ideas and Practices in Medieval Religious Systems: How did the Tantric undercurrent resurface in India? This chapter takes a look.
8. Tantrism and the Religion of the Masses— The Lokayata Tradition: Relation between various Sahajiya cults and Tantric beliefs.
9. The Sophisticated Tantras with Sakta Orientation: Sakta system of beliefs & practices and their relation with Tantras have been examined here.
10. Tantric Art— A Review: Are erotic sculptures and paintings truly associated with Tantras? This chapter tries to find an answer.
11. A Glossary of Tantric Technical Terms
The book is rounded off with hefty Bibliography & Index.
Overall, if you wish to develop an understanding of the Tantras and their subaltern, essentially dynamic and lively philosophy, then this is THE book. It also explains how Tantra continues to harbour our aspirations for equality and dynamism— which we seem to be burying under superstitions and ignorance.
Highly recommended.
But first let me give a broad description of the cintents.
Following a historically significant 'Preface', the book contains the following chapters~
1. Introduction: Basic information about Tantra and its relation with the Vedic, especially Vedantic system.
2. Tantric Literature: Various Tantra-s and their classifications.
3. External Influences and Interactions: Possible connections with China and West Asia.
4. The Primitive Substratum: Origin of Tantra and primitive social conditions.
5. Tantrism and the Earlier Forms of Indian Religious System: Popular, and to a great extent Institutional belief claims the Vedas to be the sole source of religious practices in India. This chapter methodically proves that the truth is dramatically different.
6. Development of Tantric Buddhism: Although Benoytosh Bhattacharya's seminal works are available to us, those notions have been revisited and analysed afresh, in this chapter.
7. Tantric Ideas and Practices in Medieval Religious Systems: How did the Tantric undercurrent resurface in India? This chapter takes a look.
8. Tantrism and the Religion of the Masses— The Lokayata Tradition: Relation between various Sahajiya cults and Tantric beliefs.
9. The Sophisticated Tantras with Sakta Orientation: Sakta system of beliefs & practices and their relation with Tantras have been examined here.
10. Tantric Art— A Review: Are erotic sculptures and paintings truly associated with Tantras? This chapter tries to find an answer.
11. A Glossary of Tantric Technical Terms
The book is rounded off with hefty Bibliography & Index.
Overall, if you wish to develop an understanding of the Tantras and their subaltern, essentially dynamic and lively philosophy, then this is THE book. It also explains how Tantra continues to harbour our aspirations for equality and dynamism— which we seem to be burying under superstitions and ignorance.
Highly recommended.
March 18, 2020
I left a full review here though its as much about squaring this with speculative realist thought as it is talking about the book itself. Still, this is a book you should read if your interested in the straight infor without any woo-woo or western yoga pants impositions on the subject.
https://geotrickster.com/2020/03/18/a...
https://geotrickster.com/2020/03/18/a...
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews