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Significance of Tantra

Tantra in Buddhism encompasses a range of esoteric teachings and scriptures focusing on rituals, meditation, and personal transformation aimed at achieving enlightenment. It is characterized by its emphasis on integrating wisdom and compassion and involves complex practices that are vital for spiritual attainment. Tibetan Buddhism, in particular, views Tantra as a significant body of teachings incorporating specific techniques, rituals, and philosophical insights, establishing it as a crucial path within the broader Buddhist tradition for reaching enlightenment.1
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Synonyms: Spiritual practice, Mystical philosophy, Meditative techniques, Yoga, Esoteric tradition, Spiritual discipline

In Dutch: Tantra; In German: Tantra; In Finnish: Tantra; In Spanish: Tantra; In Swedish: Tantra; In Malay: Tantra; In French: 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'

Buddhism Books

Tantra in Buddhism is an esoteric category of texts and teachings emphasizing advanced meditative practices, rituals, and philosophies, crucial for spiritual attainment and enlightenment, particularly in Tibetan Buddhism and Vajrayana traditions.

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)

(1) A type of esoteric knowledge and practice in Buddhism that grags pa seng ge engaged in.[1] (2) Esoteric scriptures and practices in Tibetan Buddhism that aim to achieve enlightenment and are central to the teachings of the Gandenpa tradition.[2] (3) A spiritual tradition within Buddhism that includes esoteric practices, rituals, and teachings aimed at achieving enlightenment.[3] (4) A class of important texts within Buddhism that Dpal ldan byang chub rtse mo studied and mastered.[4] (5) Holy texts and practices important in Tibetan Buddhism, studied by kun spangs pa and his disciples.[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]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha鈥檚 words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: The gods of northern Buddhism

(1) A class of scriptures in Buddhism that teaches spiritual practices; Kuvera plays an important role within these texts.[11] (2) Tantra refers to a mystic and ceremonial aspect of Buddhism that's associated with practices involving rituals and energetic exchanges between deities.[12] (3) A significant religious development that appeared in the 6th century.[13] (4) Esoteric invocations in Tibetan Buddhism that are an integral part of the liturgical services and rituals.[14]

From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara

(1) A broad category of scriptures and teachings within Buddhism, emphasizing specific meditative practices and philosophical principles.[15]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Buddhism (general):

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.[16]

Hindu concept of 'Tantra'

Hinduism Books

Tamtra in Hinduism refers to a set of authoritative texts and practices that encompass rituals, meditation, and philosophy, guiding spiritual realization and development while influencing both Hindu and Buddhist traditions significantly.

Significance in Shaktism (Shakta philosophy):
Shaktism Books

From: Shakti and Shakta

(1) Sacred texts of esoteric Buddhism that focus on tantras, which are considered crucial for achieving enlightenment.[17] (2) A classification of scriptures that serve to outline methods of worship within specific Hindu traditions.[18] (3) Scriptural texts which involve specific rituals and practices within Hinduism aimed at achieving Liberation and understanding the divine.[19] (4) Tantra refers to a spiritual tradition that uses specific techniques, rituals, and teachings for achieving spiritual goals, often addressing the nature of reality and the interconnection of all beings.[20] (5) A genre of scriptures in Hinduism that includes practical methods of worship and philosophical teachings, encompassing both ritual and meditative practices.[21]

Shakta or Shaktism (shaktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) A class of scriptures that includes teachings related to mystical practices and philosophy, cited in the text.[22] (2) Spiritual texts that speak about the transcendental beauty of Nanda-suta, surpassing that of material senses.[23] (3) Texts that also contain topics of violent activities like hypnotizing and torturing ...[24] (4) Tantras are a set of teachings, and Gopinatha Acarya was acknowledged as a knower of these esoteric texts.[25]

From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

(1) Esoteric texts that are the subject of the narrator's commentary, emphasizing spiritual practices.[26] (2) A group of advanced scriptures that offer esoteric teachings and practices related to spiritual development.[27]

From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu

(1) A spiritual text or practice that explores the inner workings of the universe and the methods of achieving direct experience of divinity.[28] (2) A system of spiritual teachings and rituals that lead to mystical and philosophical insights.[29]

From: Sri Krishna-Chaitanya

(1) Religious texts and doctrines that elaborate on spiritual practice and rituals, including the Pancharatra specifically related to Vaishnavism.[30]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (鈥榯en avatars of Vishnu鈥�).

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Devi Bhagavata Purana

(1) A philosophy concerning the relationship between the individual and the universe, recognizing both unity and duality.[31] (2) A group of scriptures and teachings that provide alternative methods and practices for spirituality.[32] (3) A set of spiritual practices that can be considered authoritative if it does not conflict with the Vedas.[33]

From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4

(1) Occult texts and traditions that provide guidelines and practices for spiritual development, often employing visual symbolism.[34]

From: Vishnu Purana

(1) A class of Hindu texts distinctly associated with the worship of Shakti, different from the Puranas.[35]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India鈥檚 vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Yoga (school of philosophy):
Yoga Books

From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja鈥檚 Rajamartanda)

(1) Texts that describe various modes of purification and rules for Yogic practices.[36] (2) Ancient texts and teachings that reference the Brahma-randhra with great reverence, emphasizing its importance in spiritual practice.[37] (3) A body of scriptures that elaborate on various spiritual practices, including those related to muttering and rituals essential for spiritual liberation.[38]

From: Shat-cakra-nirupana (the six bodily centres)

(1) The authoritative texts that provide guidance on the practices and principles of spiritual realization.[39]

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as asanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Significance in Pancaratra (worship of N膩r膩ya峁嘺):
Pancaratra Books

From: Parama Samhita (English translation)

(1) A system of Hindu philosophy that emphasizes ritual worship and meditation practices.[40] (2) The foundational rituals or handbook of ritual associated with the worship of deities in temple settings.[41] (3) A body of teachings and practices relating to the rituals necessary for spiritual attainment.[42]

Pancaratra represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

Significance in Vastushastra (architecture):
Vastushastra Books

From: Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture)

(1) Another group of texts within Vastu literature that focuses on esoteric practices and rituals.[43] (2) An applied form of knowledge linked to the Atharva-veda, encompassing various rituals and practices including architectural theory.[44] (3) A class of ancient literature associated with religious architecture and image-making, still largely unexplored in study.[45]

Vastushastra refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

Significance in Kavya (poetry):
Kavya Books

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.[46] (2) A collection of scriptures in Hinduism that outline various rituals, including human sacrifices to deities like Candika.[47]

Kavya refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or 鈥榚pic poetry鈥� and natya, or 鈥榙ramatic poetry鈥�.

Significance in Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar):
Vyakarana Books

From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari

(1) The accepted view or understanding in this context, contrasting with other interpretations discussed.[48] (2) A method through which a concept demonstrates multiplicity, as understood by the abhedavadins.[49]

Vyakarana refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.

Significance in Arthashastra (politics and welfare):
Arthashastra Books

From: Shukra Niti by Shukracharya

(1) The Upaveda of Atharva-veda which involves various mantra uses and rites for spiritual purposes.[50]

Arthashastra literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.

Significance in Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology):
Jyotisha Books

From: Hayanaratna: The Jewel of Annual Astrology

(1) This refers to a text dealing with some particular aspect of astronomical or astrological doctrine.[51]

Jyotisha (啶溹啶啶むた啶�, jyotisha or jyotish) refers to 鈥榓stronomy鈥� or 鈥淰edic astrology鈥� and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

The concept of Tantra in local and regional sources

History Books

Tantra encompasses a rich spectrum within Hinduism, presenting itself as a complex blend of astronomical literature, rituals, philosophical teachings, and spiritual practices emphasizing the divine nature of existence and the dynamics of creation through deities and esoteric traditions.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) Ancient Indian scriptures focusing on spiritual practices and rituals, central to the author's teachings.[52] (2) Esoteric texts that provide instructions on rituals, philosophy, and worship in Hinduism and Buddhism, influencing iconography.[53] (3) A spiritual practice that found a home at Nalanda and has influenced art and iconography.[54] (4) A philosophical approach that offers the concepts of Nada and Bindu as part of understanding the creative process and energetic dynamics involved in it.[55] (5) A general study of philosophies dealing with consciousness and spiritual practices, as presented by Manoranjan Basu.[56]

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.[57] (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.[58] (3) This is a very slippery ground.[59] (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.[60] (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.[61]

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.[62] (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.[63] (3) This is another genre of Sanskrit astronomical literature, similar to the siddhanta, that are comprehensive works calculating planetary motions.[64]