Tantra

Tantra refers to a large body of scriptures (Tantras, Agamas, Samhitas) and to the initiatory traditions based on them, found among Shaivas, Shaktas and Vaishnavas (the Pancharatra), and also in Buddhism and Jainism. Tantric traditions share features such as initiation (diksha) by a guru, mantra, sacred diagrams (yantra, mandala), deity visualisation, the subtle body with its channels and centres, and detailed temple and domestic ritual. Philosophically, many tantric systems — especially non-dual Shaiva and Shakta ones — hold that the world and the body are real manifestations of divine power (shakti), so that they can be means rather than obstacles to liberation; others, such as Shaiva Siddhanta, are dualist. Contemplative practice ranges from meditation on the nature of consciousness to breath and energy practices. Transgressive (left-hand) rites existed in some Kaula lineages but are a small part of a much wider, largely ritual and devotional tradition, and "tantra" should not be reduced to them or to techniques.

• ?Can the world and the body be means to liberation rather than obstacles?
• ?What is the role of initiation and the guru?
• ?How do mantra and ritual transform consciousness?
• ?How do tantric philosophies relate to Vedanta?

• Shaiva AgamasThe corpus of Shaiva scriptures that governs initiation, worship, temple construction, yoga and theology, especially for Shaiva Siddhanta.Source not yet ingested
• Vijnana Bhairava TantraA Shaiva contemplative text in which Bhairava answers the Goddess with a long series of meditative methods (dharanas), widely counted as 112.Source not yet ingested
• Kularnava TantraA major scripture of the Kaula tantric tradition, covering the guru, initiation, ritual and the philosophy behind Kaula practice.Source not yet ingested
• Shiva SutrasA set of 77 terse aphorisms at the root of Kashmir Shaivism, describing consciousness as the Self and the means of realising it.Source not yet ingested
• Hatha Yoga PradipikaThe best-known medieval manual of hatha yoga, compiling postures, cleansing practices, breath control and seals as preparation for raja yoga.Source not yet ingested
• Gheranda SamhitaA late hatha yoga manual that organises practice into seven limbs, from bodily purification to samadhi.Source not yet ingested
• Pratyabhijna HridayamTwenty sutras with the author's own commentary, presenting the Pratyabhijna ("recognition") philosophy for those new to it.Source not yet ingested
• Shiva SamhitaA hatha yoga text that joins subtle-body practice with a broadly Vedantic, non-dual view of the self.Source not yet ingested

• With Purva Mimamsa · authority of scripture

  Orthodox Vedic ritualists often regarded tantric scriptures as outside, or subordinate to, the Veda; tantric authors claimed their scriptures were a higher revelation.

• With Advaita Vedanta · the world and the body

  Non-dual tantric thought affirms the world as real divine power rather than appearance.