The Tantric Body : The Secret Tradition of Hindu Religion

Is tantra just about exotic sexual practice or does it amount to something more? This lively and original book contributes to a more complete understanding of tantra. It argues that within the different Hindu traditions, it is ritual and ascetic practice which fully explains corporeality. Without minimizing its sexual dimensions, Flood argues that the tantric body is more than just a sexual entity, and cannot be understood apart from the religious traditions and texts that give it form. Through ritual and yogic practice the body is formed into a pattern determined by these traditions, and the practitioner thereby strives to mould his or her life into the shape of the tradition. Pt. Theory, Text And History -- 1. Introduction : The Body As Text -- Tantra, Tradition And The Body -- Reading Strategies : Text -- Reading Strategies : Body -- Experience And Asceticism -- The Argument Of The Book -- 2. The Vedic Body -- The Political And Social Context -- Legal Discourse -- Political Discourse -- The Highest Good -- 3. The Tantric Revelation -- The Validity Of Tantric Revelation -- The Pāñcarātra Revelation -- The Śaiva Revelation -- Text And Tradition -- The Tantric Theology Of Revelation -- Revelation And Doctrine -- 4. Tantric Civilisation -- The Divinisation Of The Body As Root Metaphor -- Tantric Polity -- The Tantric Temple -- Tantra And Erotic Sculpture -- Possession -- Pt. Ii. The Body As Text -- 5. The Pāñcarātra -- Emanationist Cosmology -- The Purification Of The Body -- The Bhūtaśuddhi In The Tantric Revelation -- The Divinisation Of The Body -- Inner Worship -- External Worship -- 6. Śaiva Siddhānta -- Śaiva Siddhānta Doctrine -- The Tattva Hierarchy -- The Six Paths -- The Ritual Process : Initiation -- The Ritual Process : Daily Rites -- The Ritual Process : Behaviour -- 7. Ecstatic Tantra -- Absolute Subjectivity And Indexicality -- The Circle Of Deities In The Body -- Kuṇḍalinī And The Cakras -- Two Ritual Systems -- 8. The Tantric Imagination -- Vision -- Gesture And Utterance -- Icon -- Indexicality -- Reading -- Epilogue -- Appendix. The Jayākhya-saṃhitā. Gavin Flood. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [198]-[235]) And Index. Cover Contents Preface Part I Theory, Text and History 1. Introduction: The Body as Text Tantra, Tradition and the Body Reading Strategies: Text Reading Strategies: Body Experience and Asceticism The Argument of the Book 2. The Vedic Body The Political and Social Context Legal Discourse Political Discourse The Highest Good 3. The Tantric Revelation The Validity of Tantric Revelation The Pancaratra Revelation The Saiva Revelation Text and Tradition The Tantric Theology of Revelation Revelation and Doctrine 4. Tantric Civilisation The Divinisation of the Body as Root Metaphor Tantric Polity The Tantric Temple Tantra and Erotic Sculpture Possession Part II The Body as Text 5. The Pancaratra Emanationist Cosmology The Purification of the Body The Bhutasuddhi in the Tantric Revelation The Divinisation of the Body Inner Worship External Worship 6. Saiva Siddhanta Saiva Siddhanta Doctrine The Tattva Hierachy The Six Paths The Ritual Process: Invitation The Ritual Process: Dail Rites The Ritual Process: Behaviour 7. Ecstatic Tantra Absolute Subjectivity and Indexicality The Circle of Deities in the Body Kundalini and the Cakras Two Ritual Systems 8. Tantric Imagination Vision Gesture and Utterance Icon Indexicality Reading Epilogue Appendix: The Jayakhya-samhita Abbreviations and Sources Notes Suggested Further Reading Index Tantra is the Hindu-based religion which links ecstatic sexual practice with meditation and direct spiritual experience. It originated in India some 1200 years ago, when the great sacred erotic temples were built. In the West it is best known for its inspiration of tantric yoga, and its associated ritualistic forms of sex. But is tantra just about esoteric sex or does it amount to something more? This lively and original book contributes to a more complete understanding of tantra's mysteries. Without minimising its sexual dimensions, Gavid Flood argues that within tantra the body is more than just a sexual entity. It is a vehicle for the spirituality that is fundamental to people's minds. "The Tantric Body" makes an important and fascinating contribution to the study of South Asian religion, and will have strong appeal to students of South Asian cultures and societies as well as to those of comparative philosophy. Tantra is the Hindu-based religion which links ecstatic sexual practice with meditation and direct spiritual experience. It originated in India some 1200 years ago, when the great sacred erotic temples were built. In the West it is best known for its inspiration of tantric yoga, and its associated ritualistic forms of sex. But is tantra just about esoteric sex or does it amount to something more? This lively and original book contributes to a more complete understanding of tantra's mysteries. Without minimizing its sexual dimensions, Gavin Flood argues that within tantra the Providing a complete understanding of tantra's mysteries, Gavin Flood argues that within tantra the body is more than just a sexual entity, it is a vehicle for the spirituality that is fundamental to people's minds