Tantra

Lore & Background

Tantra developed in the Indian subcontinent beginning in the middle of the 1st millennium CE, initially within Shaivism and Shaktism practices, and subsequently in Buddhism and Vaishnavism. The term 'tantra' in Indian traditions refers to a set of texts describing systems, methods, instruments, techniques and practices, focusing on sādhanā, encompassing dīkṣā, rituals and yoga. A key feature of tantric traditions is the use of mantras, leading to their designation as Mantramārga in Hinduism and Mantrayāna in Mahayana Buddhism.

Reader's Guide

Tantra's significance lies in its profound influence on multiple religious traditions across Asia, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Tibetan Bön, Taoism, and Japanese Shintō. In Buddhism, the Vajrayana traditions focus on tantric ideas and practices based on Indian Buddhist Tantras, encompassing Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, Chinese Esoteric Buddhism, Japanese Shingon Buddhism, and Nepalese Newar Buddhism. Although Southern Esoteric Buddhism does not directly reference the tantras, its practices and ideas parallel them. Despite Western views often equating Tantra with sex, scholars emphasize that sexual practices in tantric traditions are rare, highly restricted to initiated adepts, and serve as a means of spiritual transcendence rather than an end in themselves. The term 'tantrism' is a 19th-century European invention not present in any Asian language.

Did You Know?

• The word 'tantra' literally means 'loom, warp, weave' in Sanskrit.
• Tantric traditions are commonly referred to as Mantramārga ('Path of Mantra') in Hinduism and Mantrayāna ('Mantra Vehicle') in Mahayana Buddhism.
• The term 'tantrism' is a 19th-century European invention not present in any Asian language.
• Sexual practices in tantric traditions are rare, highly restricted to initiated adepts, and serve as a means of spiritual transcendence.