SPECIFICATION:
- Publisher : Diamond Pocket Books
- By : Dr. Rudradev Tripathi
- Cover : Paperback
- Language : Hindi
- Edition : 2015
- Pages : 208 (10 B/W Illustrations)
- Weight : 265 g.
- Size : 8.5 inch X 5.5 inch
- ISBN-13: 9788171828395
SPECIFICATION:
- Publisher : Rupa Publications
- By : Robert E. Svoboda
- Cover : Paperback
- Language : English
- Edition : 2003
- Pages : 317
- Weight : 360 gm
- Size : 8.5 x 1 x 5.6 inches
- ISBN-10: 8171673430
- ISBN-13: 978-8171673438
DESCRIPTION:
Aghora, described in this volume as "super tantra", is a Path of Devotion to the Great Mother Goddess Kundalini, here manifesting with the name and image of the Goddess Tara. This way is one of extraordinary extremes and intensities, even for tantra and its aim is nothing less than to destroy the human limitations of the actioner, so that he or she becomes a super human in fact, a kind of deity.
Specification:
- Publisher : Indica Books
- By : Gautam Chatterjee
- Cover : Hardcover
- Edition : April 26, 2012
- Language : English
- Pages : 220
- Weight : 250 gm.
- Size : 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
- ISBN-10 : 8186117121
- ISBN-13 : 978-8186117125
- Product Code : BK14274
Description:
This is a creative manifestation of a long, on-going, deepest realization in a Tantric vision, i.e. expanding timeless wisdom in present time, in a dynamic manner, first time encapsulated in this book. This is a creative flash came out from the inmost being of an aspirant of Shiva. The worldwide serious debate on consciousness has now become off-the-cuff interaction in science and philosophy, especially in neuroscience and brain science, and also in metaphysics. The entire conversation has been shifted from experiencing what is without an atom of psychological yesterdays in terms of “recent findings”. The semantic allegory “White Shadow” comprehends all the problems related to pain, evil and existence, epistemological as well as ontological proof of lime consciousness, and elucidates our integral presence in relation to divine tranquillity.
With a great lineage of Pandit Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar and Pandit Suniti Kumar Chaturjya, Gautam Chatterjee is, in his childhood, initiated with the benediction of Pt. Gopinath Kaviraj, and has been a close associate of Thakur Jaidev Singh and Pt. Vraj Vallabh Dwivedi in the discipline of Kashmir Shaivism. He is the founder president of Abhinavagupta academy, a centre for consciousness studies in Banaras, developed a lucid way to yoga practices to enrich the richest tradition of monistic Shaivism in Kashi, spiritually and ontologically, and also metaphysically. Engaged in translating Tantraloka a magnum opus by Abhinavagupta from Sanskrit to English (four volumes have been published), Shree Gautam teaches conscious communication in Banaras Hindu University
About the Author
With a great lineage of Pandit Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar and Pandit Suniti Kumar Chaturjya, Gautam Chatterjee is, in his childhood, initiated with the benediction of Pt. Gopinath Kaviraj, and has been a close associate of Thakur Jaidev Singh and Pt. Vraj Vallabh Dwivedi in the discipline of Kashmir Shaivism. He is the founder president of Abhinavagupta academy, a centre for consciousness studies in Benaras, developed a lucid way to Yoga practices to enrich the richest tradition of monistic Shaivism in Kashi, spiritually and ontologically, and also metaphysically. Engaged in translating 'Tantraloka' a magnum opus by Abhinavagupta from Sanskrit to English (four volumes have been published), Shree Gautam teaches conscious communication in Banaras Hindu University.
Specification:
- Publisher : Indica Books
- By : Swami Lakshman Joo
- Cover : Paperback
- Edition : January 1, 2007
- Pages : 207
- Weight : 360 gm.
- Size : 5.6 x 0.5 x 8.6 inches
- Language : English
- ISBN-10 : 8186569359
- ISBN-13 : 978-8186569351
- Product Code: BK14272
Description:
The Vijnana Bhairava is one of the most important Tantras of Kashmir Shaivism as far as the practical aspect of yoga of this school is concerned. It teaches 112 dharanas or ways of centring awareness and entering divine consciousness, which include ordinary and extraordinary experiences, as well as Tantric methods of spiritual practice such as kundalini, mantra and mudra. This ancient text is of great relevanee for a spirituality of our times which has to integrate all aspects of life.
The present edition, translation and commentary is unique since it contains the oral teaching of the last great master of the Kashmir Shaiva tradition, Swami Lakshman Job. In his explanation of the dharanas he gives the deep significance and practical application of various methods of yoga which give direct access to states of higher consciousness.
About the Author
Swami Lakshman Joo (1907-91), also called Swami Lakshmanji Raina or Ishvara Svarupa, was a great yogi from an early age. He embodied a rare unity of a mystic and a pandit, being well-versed in Sanskrit and in the texts of the non-dualistic tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. He was also called the Abhinavagupta of the twentieth century, being the last authority of Kashmir Shaivism, who was teaching scholars and guiding seekers on the spiritual path. He edited several Sanskrit texts and published Hindi translations and commentaries, such as Abhinavagupta’s Gitarthasamgraha Sambapanchashika, Utpaladeva’s Shivastotravali, Abhinavagupta’s Paratrishika Vivarana and others. Some of his teachings and lectures have been published in English: Kashmir Shaivism: The Secret Supreme, The Awakening of Supreme Consciousness, Self Realization in Kashmir Saivism, and in Hindi: Trikashastra-Rahasya Prakriya. His commentary on the Shiva Sutras has already been published.
Specification:
- Publisher : Indica Books
- By : Gautam Chatterjee
- Cover : Hardcover
- Edition : April 1, 2011
- Pages : 192
- Weight : 500 gm.
- Size :
- Language : English
- ISBN-13 : 978-8186117088
- ISBN-10 : 8186117083
- Product Code : BK14239
Description:
Tantraloka is a magnum opus in the horizon of Indian philosophy. This great work, created by the well-known polymath Acharya Abhinavaguptapada (tenth century ce), is a compendium of all Tantrika rituals and essence drawn from the light of all pre-treatises on Indian Tantra till the time of the creator. This text consists of thirty-seven chapters. It reflects on Tantra from the background of Kashmir Shaivism which is known as the monistic philosophy of Pratyabhijna. Abhinavagupta explains here at length the ways to worship the Supreme Consciousness in order to attain this state of Absolute ecstasy and liberation in one single life of mankind. This work is before the English-speaking world for the first time in a hermeneutic way.
About Author:
Gautam Chatterjee is an aspirant of Kashmir Shaivism through Consciousness studies. An oft-quoted author of various books and President of Abhinavagupta Academy, Prof. Chatterjee has a lineage of Pt. Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar with deep Sanskrit tradition and has been a close associate of Thakur Jaidev Singh. After completing his study on the inter-influence of Indian classical music and Agama, his two books Consciousness : Re-cognition of the Actor and Jnanaganja (English translation of the work by Pt. Gopinath Kaviraj direct from Bengali) are now in press. At present, teaches in Banaras Hindu University.
Specification:
- Publisher : Indica Books
- By : Abhinavagupta And Gautam Chatterjee
- Cover : Paperback
- Edition : 3 February 2014
- Pages : 146
- Weight : 500 gm.
- Size :
- Language : English
- ISBN-1 3: 978-8186117200
- ISBN-10 : 8186117202
- Product Code : BK14238
Description:
Tantraloka is a magnum opus in the horizon of Indian philosophy. This great work, created by the well-known polymath Acharya Abhinavaguptapada (tenth century ce), is a compendium of all Tantrika rituals and essence drawn from the light of all pre-treatises on Indian Tantra till the time of the creator. This text consists of thirty- seven chapters. It reflects on Tantra from the background of Kashmir Shaivism which is known as the monistic philosophy of Pratyabhijna. Abhinavagupta explains here at length about the ways to worship the Supreme Consciousness in order to attain this state of Absolute ecstasy and liberation in one single life of mankind. This work is before the English-speaking world for the first time in a hermeneutic way.
About Author:
Gautam Chatterjee, well-known writer, has a lineage of Pt. Ishwarachandra Vidyasagar, with deep Sanskrit tradition and has been a close associate of Thakur Jaidev Singh. His two books (collection of plays), related to Kashmir Shaivism, have already been published. At present, working on the inter-influence of Indian Classical Music and Agama. “Re-cognition of an Actor” is his forthcoming book.
Specification:
- Publisher : Indica Books
- By : Abhinava Gupta
- Cover : Hardcover
- Edition : December 1, 2008
- Pages : 124
- Weight : 210 gm.
- Size : 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
- Language : English
- ISBN-10 : 8186117059
- ISBN-13 : 978-8186117057
- Product Code : BK14237
Description:
For this Translation, the Sanskrit text is selected from “The Kashmir Series of Text & Studies” (n. 23 to 58, ahnika one to ahnika thirty-seven), edited with notes by Mahamahopadhyaya Pandit Mukund Ram Shastri and Pt. Madhasudan Kaul Shastri, Printed at the Indian Press, Allahabad and Nirnaya Sagar Press, Bombay, published in 1918, 1933 respectively. We have three other versions of the same work available in the market but, (1) we do not find verse 76 (of ahnika one) in the precept pub. from ChowkhambaVidyabhawan,Varanasi 2002, (2) we don’t find verse 58 (of ahnika one) in the precept pub. by Acharya Krisnanand Sagar, Gujarat, 1984 and (3) this is one complete verse:
vishvakrititvaccidcittadvaicitryavabhasakah.
tato ’sya bahurupatvamuktam dikshottaradike.
But in the precept pub. from Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, 1992, 2000, this verse is presented in two verses — verse 61 and 62, with two doubtful verses, verse 56 and verse 223.
About Author:
Gautam Chatterjee, well-known writer, has a lineage of Pt. Ishwarachandra Vidyasagar, with deep Sanskrit tradition and has been a close associate of Thakur Jaidev Singh. His two books (collection of plays), related to Kashmir Shaivism, have already been published. At present, working on the inter-influence of Indian Classical Music and Agama. “Re-cognition of an Actor” is his forthcoming book.
Specification:
- Publisher : Indica Books
- By : Sri Abhinavagupta
- Cover : Hardcover
- Edition : December 1, 2008
- Pages : 158
- Weight : 360 gm.
- Size : 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
- Language : English
- ISBN-13 : 978-8186117064
- ISBN-10 : 8186117067
- Product Code : BK14236
Description:
Tantraloka is a magnum opus in the horizon of Indian philosophy. This great work, created by the well-known polymath Acharya Abhinavaguptapada (tenth century ce), is a compendium of all Tantrika rituals and essence drawn from the light of all pre-treatises on Indian Tantra till the time of the creator. This text consists of thirty- seven chapters. It reflects on Tantra from the background of Kashmir Shaivism which is known as the monistic philosophy of Pratyabhijna. Abhinavagupta explains here at length about the ways to worship the Supreme Consciousness in order to attain this state of Absolute ecstasy and liberation in one single life of mankind. This work is before the English-speaking world for the first time in a hermeneutic way. With a great lineage of Pandit Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar and Pandit Suniti Kumar Chaturjya, Gautam Chatterjee is initiated by Pt. Gopinath Kaviraj, and has been a close associate of Thakur Jaidev Singh and Pt. Vraj Vallabh Dwivedi in the discipline of Kashmir Shaivism. Graduated in Mathematics, Gautam is now the founder president of Abhinavagupta Academy, a centre for consciousness studies in Banaras, developed a lucid way to yoga practices to enrich the richest Tantric tradition of monistic Shaivism in Kashi, spiritually and ontologically, and also metaphysically. Author of his oft-quoted book White Shadow of Consciousness, Shree Gautam teaches in Banaras Hindu University.
Specification:
- Publisher : Indica Books
- By : Gautam Chatterjee
- Cover : Paperback
- Edition : July 30, 2013
- Pages : 198
- Weight : 500 gm.
- Size : 8.5" x 5.5"
- Language : English
- ISBN-10 : 8186117164
- ISBN-13 : 978-8186117163
- Product Code : BK14235
Description:
Tantraloka is a magnum opus in the horizon of Indian philosophy. This great work, created by the well-known polymath Acharya Abhinavaguptapada (tenth century ce), is a compendium of all Tantrika rituals and essence drawn from the light of all pre-treatises on Indian Tantra till the time of the creator. This text consists of thirty- seven chapters. It reflects on Tantra from the background of Kashmir Shaivism which is known as the monistic philosophy of Pratyabhijna. Abhinavagupta explains here at length about the ways to worship the Supreme Consciousness in order to attain this state of Absolute ecstasy and liberation in one single life of mankind. This work is before the English-speaking world for the first time in a hermeneutic way. With a great lineage of Pandit Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar and Pandit Suniti Kumar Chaturjya, Gautam Chatterjee is initiated by Pt. Gopinath Kaviraj, and has been a close associate of Thakur Jaidev Singh and Pt. Vraj Vallabh Dwivedi in the discipline of Kashmir Shaivism. Graduated in Mathematics, Gautam is now the founder president of Abhinavagupta Academy, a centre for consciousness studies in Banaras, developed a lucid way to yoga practices to enrich the richest Tantric tradition of monistic Shaivism in Kashi, spiritually and ontologically, and also metaphysically. Author of his oft-quoted book White Shadow of Consciousness, Shree Gautam teaches in Banaras Hindu University.
Specification:
- Publisher : Indica Books
- By : Reza Shah-Kazemi
- Cover : Paperback
- Edition : January 1, 2009
- Pages : 261
- Weight : 350 gm.
- Size : 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
- Language : English
- ISBN-13 : 978-8186569870
- ISBN-10 : 8186569871
- Product Code : BK14213
Description:
The aim of this book is to contribute to the elucidation of an important but much neglected theme in comparative religion and mysticism: that of transcendence. The book intends to shed light on the meaning of transcendence both in itself and as the summit of spiritual realization, taking as starting point what three of the world’s greatest mystics have said or written on this subject. Shankara, Ibn Arabi and Meister Eckhart, each of an inmense importance within their respective traditions, have been chosen for this study inasmuch as both the conceptual and experiential aspects of transcendence figure prominently in their articulated writings and discourses; each one has, moreover, expressed himself in a manner that is at once authoritative — bearing witness to his personal realization — and detailed, thus allowing for extensive analytical treatment of these aspects of transcendence.
“Paths to Transcendence has the merit of gathering, in the same volume, the deepest thinking of the most intellectual and spiritual elite of three great traditions and civilizations: Shankara for Hinduism, Ibn Arabi for Islam, and Meister Eckhart for Christianity. It provides detailed analysis and lucid examination of the misinterpretations which frequently occur nowadays about these spiritual authorities.”
— Jean-Pierre Lafouge, Marquette University
“Here is a major landmark in comparative metaphysics. The universality of spiritual realization through knowledge is rendered apparent with a rare combination of analytic rigour and depth of ‘synthesis. This book demonstrates that spiritual intuition can inform and innervate academic discourse without compromising its conceptual demands.”
— Patrick Laude, Georgetown University
Specification:
- Publisher : Indica Books
- By : Kamalakar Mishra
- Cover : Paperback
- Edition : 2011
- Pages : 203
- Weight : 750 gm.
- Size : 8.9 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
- Language : English
- ISBN-10 : 938112003X
- ISBN-13 : 978-9381120033
- Product Code : BK14205
Description:
Dr. Mishra’s comprehensive book is learned without being tedious; philosophical without being intellectually arid; and readable without being banal. Above all, it preserves the aroma of spiritual practice that is fundamental to the Pratyabhijna tradition. Anyone interested in the metaphysics of spiritual practice or in Yoga and Tantrism will read this book with immense profit.
— Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D.
(Author of Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Yoga)
In this work Mishra discusses the central themes woven throughout the whole of the Tantric system, making it accessible, practical, and inspiring as a means to self-realization. This book would be excellent reading for students of the Tantric tradition and philosophy.
— NAPRA Trade Journal Thorough exposition of the Tantric system. A full exploration of Kashmir Shaivism’s history and the special significance of Abhinavagupta whose brilliant and encyclopedic works established Kashmir Shaivism as an important philosophical school. Extensively referenced with notes to the text for source data or detailed elaboration. — Hinduism Today
A brilliant exposition of Tantric tradition. . . . Mishra profoundly explains a system which allows us to fully integrate spiritual inquiry and practice with the mundane goals of physical enjoyment [and] worldly involvement. For spiritual seekers of any sort, with a true interest in understanding the nature of Tantra... this book will finally provide true insight into the ways and means of Tantric philosophy.
— New Age Retailer
About Author:
Kamalakar Mishra, Ph.D., is a retired professor of the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India. He is also the author of The Significance of the Tantric Tradition.
Specification:
- Publisher : Indica Books
- By : Kashinath Nyaupane
- Cover : Paperback
- Edition : April 1, 2013
- Pages : 263
- Weight : 300 gm.
- Size :
- Language : English
- ISBN-10 : 8186117172
- ISBN-13 : 978-8186117170
- Product Code : BK14204
Description:
Specification:
- Publisher : Indica Books
- By : Kashinath Nyaupane
- Cover : Paperback
- Edition : October 1, 2012
- Pages : 112
- Weight : 120 gm.
- Size : 6.9 x 4.7 x 0.3 inches
- Language : English
- ISBN-13 : 978-8186117118
ISBN-10 : 8186117113 - Product Code : BK14200
Description:
Specification:7
- Publisher : Indica Books
- By : Nyaupane Kashinath
- Cover : Hardcover
- Edition : December 1, 2012
- Pages : 191
- Weight : 450 gm.
- Size : 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
- Language : English
- ISBN-13 : 978-8186117101
- ISBN-10 : 8186117105
- Product Code : BK1419
Description:
Specification:
- Publisher : Indica Books
- By : Debabrata SenSharma
- Cover : Hardcover
- Edition : January 1, 2007
- Pages : 162
- Weight : 200 gm.
- Size : 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
- Language : English
- ISBN-10 : 8186569677
- ISBN-13 : 978-8186569672
- Product Code : BK14185
Description:
The distinguishing feature of all schools of Indian philosophy in general is that these do not remain content with merely enunciating the metaphysical tenets of the particular school, but they also set up the spiritual goal before the seekers, prescribing the modes of spiritual discipline to reach it. Spiritual discipline or Yoga therefore constitutes an inseparable part of the philosophy of every school. This is very true especially in the case of Tantric schools, in which spiritual practices or sadhana kriya dominate. The performance of kriya in the prescribed manner forms an integral part of all texts dealing with Tantra Yoga.
This book opens with an account of the nature, origin and development of Saiva-Sakta Tantras, their classification under different schools, the wealth of literature available belonging to these schools, etc. It also sheds light on the principal metaphysical tenets of Saiva and Sakta Tantras, relevant to the study of Tantra-Yoga. The topics covered in this book are the concepts of divine Grace or saktipata, guru and his different kinds, the process of initiation (diksa) and its varieties, mantra’s nature and place in sadhana kriya, different modes of spiritual discipline, Kundalini Yoga, the highest spiritual goal, etc.
This book attempts to remove the misconceptions widespread in the academic world about the theory and practice of Tantra-Yoga, which have been deliberately kept secret by the practitioners to prevent their misuse by unscrupulous persons.
About Author:
Dr. Debabrata Sen Sharma, a well-known scholar of sanskrit and Indian Philosophy and Religion, has spent more than half a century in studying, teaching and writing on the Advita Shiava thought of Kashmir. Retired as Professor of Sanskrit and Director of the Institute of Sanskrit and Indological Studies from the Kurukshetra University of Haryana, now settled down in Kolkata, he is devoting all his time to read in depth, write and translate Sanskrit texts on Shaivism. He had the rare privilege of studying abstruse Sanskrit texts on Shaivism and Tantra with Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Gopinath Kaviraj, an acknoledged authority on Saiva-Sakta Tantras and a spiritual, for eight long years at Varanasi.
Specification:
- Publisher : Indica Books
- Edition : June 15, 2004
- Pages : 315
- Weight : 550.
- Size : 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
- Cover : Paperback
- Auther : Mark S.G. Dyczkowski
- Language : English
- ISBN-10: 8186569421
ISBN-13: 978-8186569429 - SKU: BK14176
Description:
"The past thirty years have witnessed dramatic developments in the study of Agamic Shaivism in general. Progress has been made on several fronts. On the one hand there has been a substantial increase in the historical and anthropological data. On the other, access has been cleared to vast reserves of unedited and unpublished sources. This book is a collection of essays which document in their own way the author’s personal journey in these years through parts of the Shaiva and, to some extent, the Vaishnava Tantras. Anyone who has travelled on similar paths knows how vast and marvellous the lands of this extraordinary world are.
“Self-awareness, Own Being and Egoity” studies the history of the notion that the one, unique reality which is equally Shiva, the Self and all that appears and exists in any form, is pure, universal “I” consciousness aham-bhava.
Abhavavada, the “Doctrine of Non-being” focuses on a little known doctrine taught in the Bhairava and Kaula Tantras that Shiva, who is inherently beyond characterization, is Non-being.
“The Samvitprakasha” is an important text for monistic Kashmiri Vaishnavism. Its author, date and teachings are the subject of chapter three.
“The Inner Pilgrimage of the Tantras” deals with sacred geography. Sacred geography is not only divine. It is also human. It is more than physical, social or cultural geography. It is the geography of the land in which we live. It is not just about space or places, it is about our home. The more esoteric early Tantric cults were concerned with the roaming ascetic. But now the places he has to travel to are much increased in number. Moreover, they are no longer just simply called “sacred lands/kshetra” they are specific seats (pithas) of deities and meeting grounds for male initiates and Yoginis, their female counterparts. The development of the sacred geography of India we witness in these sources is paralleled by that of their public, exoteric counterparts — the Puranas.
“Kubjika, the Androgynous Goddess” and “The Cult of the Goddess Kubjika” deal with the secret goddess of the Malla kings, who ruled the inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley up to about the middle of the seventeenth century. The king’s deity is that of his country and people. With two faces, the inner secret goddess and the outer public god, the king’s deity transmits its energy and grace both in the outer domain and through the network of esoteric familial goddesses who, energies in their own right, are thereby inwardly charged. Thus the king, his goddess and his priest together are the axis of this inner secret society which, although close to its end, still survives today."
Jaimini is held in very great esteem throughout India not only for his philosophical aphorisms but for his astrological writings also. Jaiminisutras as presented in these pages deal with a system of astrology that has no parallel in the existing methods. The profundity and brevity of these sutras comprehend a vast amount of knowledge in the shortest forms possible. In the end the author remarks that all that he has written is quite true, as these truths have been propounded by the still earlier Maharshis, Pitamaha or Brahma, Vyasa, Parasara, Vasistha, Garga, Bhrigu, Surya, Chandra, Brihaspati, Sukra, Marichi, Palaha, Pulisa, Maya and other eminent scientists. The treatment of the different Bhavas, Rasis and Planets will be found a little confusing in the beginning but with some patience, diligence and practice the peculiarities of his system readily yield themselves to our comprehension. He gives various Lagnas, Hora Lagna, Ghatika Lagna, Upapada Lagna, Varnada Lagna and so forth. His Dasas are mostly founded on Rasis and Navamsas. Brahma, Rudra and Mahesvara Dasas are peculiar in these sutras. It is asserted by some that Jaiminisutras extend over eight adhyayas. However here only two chapters, in four parts each, have been explained. The masterly way in which the Maharshi has explained the Astrological principles, will surely make the students masters in this line.
The Tantra of Svayambhu or Svayambhuvasutrasamgrah is the thirteenth in the traditional list of the 28 Agamas of Saivasiddhanta. One of the oldest Acaryas of this school of Saivism, Sadyojyoti has composed a commentary on its vidyapada section. The subjects dealt with are pasu, the bound soul; pasa, the bond;p anugraha, God`s grace and adhvan, the way to liberation. sadyojyoti has taken definite and extreme positions on the philosophical problems raised by these concepts. He emphasized their ritualistic foundation which is the true spirit of Tantric literature and the core of the Saiva religion. The text of his commentary is critically edited here and published with an English translation.
Tantric Revisionings presents stimulating new perspectives on Hindu and Budhist religion, particularly their Tantric versions, in India, Tibet or in modern Western societies. Geoffrey Samule adopts an historically and textually informed anthropoliogical approach, seeking to locate and undrstand religion in its social and cultural context. The question of the relation between `popular` (folk, domestic, village, monastic) religion and elite (Literary, textual, monastic) religion forms a recurring theme through these studies.
Buddhist Tantra Cittavisuddhi-prakarana India Aryadeva
The Hevajrantra, the well-known Anuttarayogatantra, about `unsurpassed yoga`, is a direct successor of the Tattvasamgraha, a yogatantra. It was translated from Sanskrit into Chinese in the 11th century. The Chinese translators offer a text which remains true to its contents, but which is at the same time acceptable to the Chinese milieu of the 11th century. This diplomatic effort explains many discrepancies, which were no problem to the initiate.
This book, winner of CHOICE outstanding Academic Title Award 2007, is a multifaceted, diachronic study reconsidering the very nature of religion in South Asia, the culmination of years of intensive research. Frederick M. Smith proposes that positive oracular or ecstatic possession is the most common form of spiritual expression in India, and that it has been linguistically distinguished from negative, disease-producing possession for thousands of years.
In South Asia possession has always been broader and more diverse than in the West, where it has been utmost entirely characterized as “demonic.” At best, spirit possession has been regarded as a medically treatable psychological ailment and at worst, as a condition that requires exorcism or punishment. In South (and East) Asia, ecstatic or oracular possession has been widely practiced throughout history, occupying a position of respect in early and recent Hinduism and in certain forms of Buddhism.
Smith analyzes Indic literature from all ages—the earliest Vedic texts; the Mahabharata; Buddhist, Jain, yogic, Ayurvedic, and Tantric texts; Hindu devotional literature; Sanskrit drama and narrative literatures; and more than a hundred ethnographies. He identifies several forms of possession including festival, initiatory, oracular, and devotional, and demonstrates their multivocality within a wide range of sects and religious identities.