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A groundbreaking work on the little-studied Indian origins of an influential tantric Buddhist practice along with a fresh English translation.
The deity Vajrabhairava, or Yamantaka, is well known as the central figure of tantric practice in multiple lineages of Tibetan Buddhism and is also found in Chinese and Japanese Buddhism. Less is known about its foundational Indian context. The Vajrabhairava Tantra, dedicated to the buffalo-headed deity Vajrabhairava, arose around the eighth century and had a considerable impact on the formation of religious praxis in the medieval Indian Buddhist world. This book contains a translation of the Vajrabhairava Tantra from the recently discovered Sanskrit text and a comprehensive study of its elements, of its origins and Indian commentators, and of the history of its transmission to Tibet. The annotation to the translation excerpts all six Indian commentaries on the tantra found in the Tibetan canon.
One highly innovative contribution this work makes to the fields of tantric Buddhist studies and, more generally, to South Asian religions is the way it breaks down traditional disciplinary boundaries between tantra and magic. It shows that the genesis of tantric traditions cannot be reduced to a one-way influence of Hindu Shaivism on Buddhism or vice versa, but indicates a widespread “culture of magic,” a common “ritual syntax,” that crossed sectarian, linguistic, and socio-cultural boundaries, one that came to be significantly diminished in later Shaiva and Buddhist tantras.
The study comprises the first half of the book, and the second half is the translation, which explains the construction of the mandala, the magical applications of the practice, the extraction of the mantra, the visualization, and the preparation of the pata painting and the homa fire ritual. A dozen color plates illustrate Vajrabhairava in his Solitary Hero and other forms along with mandalas of five different lineages, keys for which are provided in the appendix.
The only previous study of the Vajrabhairava Tantra relied solely on Tibetan and Mongolian sources. By relying on the newly discovered Sanskrit manuscript, this new translation is able to correct numerous inaccuracies. Moreover, the earlier study included only three of six canonical commentaries on the root text incorporated here, passing over the key commentaries by Akṣobhya and Kṛṣṇācārya.
Learn more about the Studies in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism series.
Alejandro Chaoul, Richard Freeman, and Mary Taylor: Yoga for Meditators (#208)
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Join Alejandro Chaoul, Richard Freeman, Mary Taylor, and host Daniel Aitken as they discuss their different traditions of yoga and how they relate to meditation. Listen as they provide insights into their yoga traditions, emphasizing historical dialogue between the traditions and shared practices. They touch on practical meditation tips, integrating the body into mindfulness, and much more!
You’ll also hear Daniel and our guests discuss:
- how they each became interested in their version of yoga;
- the power of Yoga to teach us stillness;
- how to improve our relationship with space;
- the Wisdom Academy course Yoga for Meditators; and
- much more!
Wisdom Podcast listeners receive a 20% discount on Yoga For Meditators WPODY4M through July 5th.
About the Interviewees
Dr. Alejandro Chaoul is dedicated to educating individuals and communities about the ancient practice of Tibetan yoga and its transformative power to enhance physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. He serves as the scholar and founding director of the Jung Center’s Mind Body Spirit Institute (MBSI) and holds a doctoral degree in religious studies from Rice University. For the last thirty years Ale has studied with many Tibetan teachers in India, Nepal, and the United States. Since 1995, he has taught Tibetan meditation and yogic practices under the auspices of Ligmincha International across the United States, Latin America, and Europe.
Richard Freeman has been a student of yoga since 1968. He spent nine years in Asia studying yoga āsana, prāṇāyāma, Sufism, Sanskrit language, and Indian philosophy. He has studied asana with B.K.S. Iyengar and K. Pattabhi Jois and has worked with numerous Buddhist teachers to draw insights into the interfacing of Buddhism and yoga as a reflection of life. Richard’s metaphorical, humorous, teaching style appeals to students of many backgrounds and nationalities.
Mary Taylor began studying yoga in 1971 and her studies have grown into a deep interest into how yoga asana, meditation, and the interfacing of yoga with Buddhism combine to support us through complex modern times. Her main asana practice is in the internal forms of the ashtanga vinyasa tradition. She is part of the core faculty of the Being with Dying program at Upaya Zen Center and the senior faculty for the UZIT training program, both of which apply contemplative practices to improved and sustainable wellness within medical settings.
