A Guide to the Deities of the Tantra is a fascinating insight
into a subject that has captivated the imagination of many but remains
mysterious and exotic to all but a few. Tantric deities? Who are they and what do they do? This
volume focuses on the deities whose mantra recitation and colorful
visualizations lie at the heart of the Tantra. We meet goddesses of
wisdom, the prince of purity, the lotus-born guru Padmasambhava, and
dakinis- wild-haired women who dance in the flames of freedom. All, the
peaceful and the wrathful alike, urge the reader to break through to
wisdom, pointing out the true nature of reality with uncompromising
vigor. Devoid of pop culture misperceptions, this guide is a
window into the sometimes mysterious world of Buddhist Tantra.
Vessantara explores the key characteristics of the Tantra in this
magical fusion of the practical and the imaginative-giving us a direct
insight in into the poetry and the power of the Tantra. Guide to the Deities of the Tantra, Vessantara, Windhorse Publications, Paperback, 180 pages, $18.95
Vessantara is a senior member of the Western Buddhist Order. Born Tony McMahon in London in 1950, he gained an MA in English at Cambridge University. He became interested in Buddhism in his teens, and first had direct contact with Buddhists in 1971. In 1974 he was ordained and given the name Vessantara, which means 'universe within'.
In 1975 he gave up a career in social work to become more involved with the development of the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order. Since then he has divided his time between meditating, studying, and assisting the development of several Buddhist centres, including retreat centres in England, Wales, and Spain.
Vessantara is much in demand as a Buddhist teacher. For seven years he led three-month courses for people entering the Order and now gives talks and leads retreats and workshops throughout Europe and Australasia.
He has written several books, including Tales of Freedom, The Mandala of the Five Buddhas, The Vajra and Bell, and Female Deities in Buddhism.
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Contents: A GUIDE TO THE DEITIES OF THE TANTRA |
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About the Author |
vii |
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| One |
The Tantric Approach |
1 |
| Two |
Prajnaparamita - the Book that Became a Goddess |
19 |
| Three |
Vajrasattva - Prince of Purity |
31 |
| Four |
The Esoteric Buddha and the Lotus-Born Guru |
47 |
| Five |
The Oath-Bound Deities |
71 |
| Six |
Dancing in the Sky |
93 |
| Seven |
The Dark Armies of the Dharma |
111 |
| Eight |
The Refuge Tree and its Future Growth |
141 |
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Notes |
149 |
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Illustration Credits |
157 |
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Glossary |
159 |
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Selected Reading |
169 |
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Index |
173 |
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