Tantric traditions in transmission and translation -- The homa of the Northen Dipper

Tantric traditions in both Buddhism and Hinduism are thriving throughout Asia and in Asian diasporic communities around the world, yet they have been largely ignored by Western scholars until now. This collection of original essays fills this gap by examining the ways in which Tantric Buddhist traditions have changed over time and distance as they have spread across cultural boundaries in Asia. The book is divided into three sections dedicated to South Asia, Central Asia, and East Asia. The essays cover such topics as the changing ideal of masculinity in Buddhist literature, the controversy triggered by the transmission of the Indian Buddhist deity Heruka to Tibet in the 10th century, and the evolution of a Chinese Buddhist Tantric tradition in the form of the True Buddha School. The book as a whole addresses complex and contested categories in the field of religious studies, including the concept of syncretism and the various ways that the change and transformation of religious traditions can be described and articulated. The authors, leading scholars in Tantric studies, draw on a wide array of methodologies from the fields of history, anthropology, art history, and sociology. Tantric Traditions in Transmission and Translation is groundbreaking in its attempt to look past religious, linguistic, and cultural boundaries. Tantric Traditions In Both Buddhism And Hinduism Are Thriving Throughout Asia And In Asian Diasporic Communities Around The World, Yet They Have Been Largely Ignored By Western Scholars. This Collection Of Original Essays Fills This Gap By Examining The Ways In Which Tantric Buddhist Traditions Have Changed Over Time And Distance As They Have Spread Across Religious, Cultural, And Linguistic Boundaries. Introduction: Tracing Tantric Traditions Through Time And Space / David B. Gray And Ryan Richard Overbey -- Buddhas, Siddhas, And Indian Masculine Ideals / John Powers -- Converting The ḍākinī: Goddess Cults And Tantras Of The Yoginīs Between Buddhism And Śaivism / Shaman Hatley -- Vajrayāna Traditions In Nepal / Todd Lewis And Naresh Man Bajracharya -- How Dhāraṇīs Were Proto-tantric: Liturgies, Ritual Manuals, And The Origins Of The Tantras / Jacob P. Dalton -- The Purification Of Heruka: On The Transmission Of A Controversial Buddhist Tradition To Tibet / David B. Gray -- Vicissitudes Of Text And Rite In The Great Peahen Queen Of Spells / Ryan Richard Overbey -- The Homa Of The Northern Dipper / Richard K. Payne -- The Tantric Teachings And Rituals Of The True Buddha School: The Chinese Transformation Of Vajrayāna Buddhism / Tam Wai Lun. Edited By David B. Gray, Ryan Richard Overbey. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Tantric traditions in both Buddhism and Hinduism are thriving throughout Asia and in Asian diasporic communities around the world, yet they have been largely ignored by Western scholars until now. This collection of original essays fills this gap by examining the ways in which Tantric Buddhist traditions have changed over time and distance as they have spread across cultural boundaries in Asia.The book is divided into three sections dedicated to South Asia, Central Asia, and East Asia. The essays cover such topics as the changing ideal of masculinity in Buddhist literature, the controversy triggered by the transmission of the Indian Buddhist deity Heruka to Tibet in the 10th century, and the evolution of a Chinese Buddhist Tantric tradition in the form of the True Buddha School. The book as a whole addresses complex and contested categories in the field of religious studies, including the concept of syncretism and the various ways that the change and transformation of religious traditions can be described and articulated.The authors, leading scholars in Tantric studies, draw on a wide array of methodologies from the fields of history, anthropology, art history, and sociology. __Tantric Traditions in Transmission and Translation__ is groundbreaking in its attempt to look past religious, linguistic, and cultural boundaries. Cover 1 Tantric Traditions in Transmission and Translation 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Contributors 8 Abbreviations 12 Introduction: Tracing Tantric Traditions Through Time and Space 16 1. Buddhas, Siddhas, and Indian Masculine Ideals 27 2. Converting the Ḍākinī: Goddess Cults and Tantras of the Yoginīs Between Buddhism and Śaivism 52 3. Vajrayāna Traditions in Nepal 102 4. How Dhāraṇīs WERE Proto-​Tantric: Liturgies, Ritual Manuals, and the Origins of the Tantras 214 5. The Purification of Heruka: On the Transmission of a Controversial Buddhist Tradition to Tibet 245 6. Vicissitudes of Text and Rite in the Great Peahen Queen of Spells 272 7. The Homa of the Northern Dipper 299 8. The Tantric Teachings and Rituals of the True Buddha School: The Chinese Transformation of Vajrayāna Buddhism 323 Index 352