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Spiritual discipline or Yoga constitutes an inseparable partof the philosophy of every school, and especially the Tantricones, in which spiritual practices or sÈdhana kriyÈ dominate.This book opens with an account of the nature, origin anddevelopment of ’aiva-’akta Tantras, their classification underdifferent schools, the wealth of literature available belongingto these schools, etc., and sheds light on the principal metaphysicaltenets of ’aiva and ’Èkta Tantras. The book dealsalso with the concepts of divine Grace or aktipÈta, guru andhis different kinds, the process of initiation (dÏk È) and itsvarieties, mantra s nature and place in sÈdhana kriyÈ, etc.This book also attempts to remove the misconceptions widespreadin the academic world about the theory and practice ofTantra Yoga, which have been deliberately kept secret by thepractitioners to prevent their misuse by unscrupulous persons.Dr. Debabrata Sen Sharma is a well-known scholar of theAdvaita Shaiva thought of Kashmir.
After presenting a general survey of spiritual practice in the different schools of Indian philosophy, the author focuses on the Trika School, popularly called Kashmir Shaivism. He deals clearly and exhaustively with such topics as Shaktipat (the descent of Divine Grace), Diksha (initiation), and the role of the Guru. His treatment of the various paths (upayas) appropriate for the different types of practitioners is especially useful. The book ends with a chapter on enlightenment (jivanmukti). This chapter not only presents the meaning of self-realization-in-this-lifetime, but offers material on this topic for the first time in English.
After presenting a general survey of spiritual practice in the different schools of Indian philosophy, the author focuses on the Trika School, popularly called Kashmir Shaivism. He deals clearly and exhaustively with such topics as Shaktipat (the descent of Divine Grace), Diksha (initiation), and the role of the Guru. His treatment of the various paths (upayas) appropriate for the different types of practitioners is especially useful. The book ends with a chapter on enlightenment (jivanmukti). This chapter not only presents the meaning of self-realization-in-this-lifetime, but offers material on this topic for the first time in English.
View points of the Trika school of Kashmir Saivism in Hindu philosophy.
This constitues the first volume of the series. It indicates the scope of the project and provides a list of sources which will be surveyed in the sebsequent volumes, as well as provide a guide to secondary literature for further study of Indian Philosophy. It lists in relative chronological order, Sanskrit and Tamil works. All known editions and translations into European languages are cited; where puplished versions of the text are not known a guide to the location of manuscripts of the work is provided.
This book opens with an examination of values themselves, grappling with western assertions of individual human rights and the eastern emphasis on duties, and analysing selected Asian philosophical and religious traditions. Several case studies follow, on countries the Philippines, Japan, China, Malaysia and Thailand. The purpose of the book is to help westerners in particular to understand and appreciate better the changes taking place in Asia, to handle relations more sensitively, and thereby to help bring Europe and Asia together.
The Indian state of West Bengal is home to one of the world's most vibrant traditions of goddess worship. The year's biggest holidays are devoted to the goddesses Durga and Kali, with lavish rituals, decorated statues, fireworks, and parades. In Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls, June McDaniel provides a broad, accessibly written overview of Bengali goddess worship. McDaniel identifies three major forms of goddess worship, and examines each through its myths, folklore, songs, rituals, sacred texts, and practitioners. In the folk/tribal strand, which is found in rural areas, local tribal goddesses are worshipped alongside Hindu goddesses, with an emphasis on possession, healing, and animism. T...
First Published in 2003. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.
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