Feminine Aspects in Tantrism

Subject Areas : Christianity

ابوالفضل  محمودی ¹ (ندارد)
مزدک  توسلی ² (ندارد)

Received: 2011-11-16 Accepted : 2011-12-21 Published : 2011-03-21

Keywords: Tantra, Śakti, Devī, Kālī, Cakra, Kundalinī, Maithuna, Kāmasūtra,

Abstract :

Tantra is one of the ancient cults that has influenced Indian religionssuch as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Feminine aspect is one ofthe most important characteristics of Tantrism which, for example, ispresented in the goddess Śakti and her manifestations such as Kālī. Inthis respect one can allude to feminine aspects in Tantric doctrinesabout cosmology, theology and anthropology (mystic body and thesubjects related to it, such as Cakra and Kundalinī) and Tantric ritualssuch as sexual intercourse (Maithuna) and sacrifice (Yajña) which havebeen explained in some scriptures like Tantras and Kāmasūtra. Lack ofacademic studies on doctrines of Tantra and the role of feminineaspects in this cult, on the one hand, and enthusiasm of learning aboutmystical and esoteric doctrines of Tantrism which could lead tomisunderstanding, on the other, can explain the necessity of studyingTantrism. Therefore, this article tries to survey the doctrines ofTantrism and the role of feminine aspects in this cult.