ENGLISH

Vajrayogini: Her Visualization, Rituals, and Forms. A study of the cult of Vajrayoginī in India

By Elizabeth , Vajrayoginī.; Vajrayoginī; English

Book information

Publisher
Wisdom Publications
Year
2002
ISBN
9780861713295, 086171329X
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
23 MB (24270031 bytes)
Series
Studies in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism
Edition
1st Wisdom ed.
Pages
563\618
Topic
Religion Buddhism
Orientation
yes
Scanned
yes
Time added
2015-09-25 01:37:40
Vajrayoginī Buddhist deity Tantric Buddhism Ritua

Description

Vajrayogini is a tantric goddess from the highest class of Buddhist tantras who manifests the ultimate development of wisdom and compassion. Her practice is prevalent today among practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism. This ground-breaking book delves into the origins of Vajrayogini, charting her evolution in India and examining her roots in the Cakrasamvara tantra and in Indian tradition relating to siva. The focus of this work is the Guhyasamayasadhanamala, a collection of forty-six sadhanas, or practice texts. Written on palm leaves in Sanskrit and preserved since the twelfth century, this diverse collection, composed by various authors, reveals a multitude of forms of the goddess, each of which is described and illustrated here. One of the sadhanas, the Vajravarahi Sadhana by Umapatideva, depicts Vajrayogini at the center of a mandala of thirty-seven different goddesses, and is here presented in full translation alongside a Sanskrit edition. Elizabeth English provides extensive explanation and annotation of this representative text. Sixteen pages of stunning color plates not only enhance the study but bring the goddess to life.

Similar books