What are the tantras?

What are the tantras?

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight February 4, 2023 Duration: 21:55

Bright on Buddhism Episode 52 - What are the tantras? What do they contain? How do they relate to other Asian religious traditions?

Resources: http://www.dsbcproject.org/; Wallis, Christopher; THE TANTRIC AGE: A Comparison Of Shaiva And Buddhist Tantra, February, 2016; Grey, David B.; Tantra and the Tantric Traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism; Isaacson, Harunaga (1998). Tantric Buddhism in India (from c. 800 to c. 1200). In: Buddhismus in Geschichte und Gegenwart. Band II. Hamburg. pp.23–49. (Internal publication of Hamburg University.); Bhattacharyya, Benoytosh; An Introduction to Buddhist Esoterism, Motilal Banarsidass Publ., 1980, India, p.; Walker, Benjamin (1983). Tantrism: Its Secret Principles and Practices. Borgo Press. ISBN 0-85030-272-2; Wallis, Christopher (2013) Tantra Illuminated: The Philosophy, History, and Practice of a Timeless Tradition. Mattamayura Press. ISBN 0989761304; Ramos, Imma. Tantra : Enlightenment to Revolution. London: Thames and Hudson, 2020.; Wayman, Alex. “Aspects of Hindu and Buddhist Tantra.” The Tibet Journal 1, no. 3/4 (1976): 32–44. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43299822.; Wayman, Alex., R. Tajima, and R. (Ryujun) Tajima. The Enlightenment of Vairocana. 1st Indian ed. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, 1992.; Elder, George R. “Problems of Language in Buddhist Tantra.” History of Religions 15, no. 3 (1976): 231–50. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1062526.; WAYMAN, ALEX. “EARLY LITERARY HISTORY OF THE BUDDHIST TANTRAS, ESPECIALLY THE GUHYASAMĀJA-TANTRA.” Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute 48/49 (1968): 99–110. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41694230.; Payne, Richard K. Language in the Buddhist Tantra of Japan : Indic Roots of Mantra. London, UK ;: Bloomsbury Academic, 2018.; Ghosh, Sanchita. “BUDDHIST DEITIES AND ‘MANTRAS’ IN THE HINDU TANTRAS (TANTRASARASAMGRAHA AND ISANASIVA GURUDEVA PADDHATI).” Proceedings of the Indian History Congress 74 (2013): 110–14. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44158805.; Wayman, Alex. “Totemic Beliefs in the Buddhist Tantras.” History of Religions 1, no. 1 (1961): 81–94. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1061971.; Abé, Ryūichi. The Weaving of Mantra: Kukai and the Construction of Esoteric Buddhist Discourse. Columbia University Press, 2000.; Esoteric Buddhism and the Tantras in East Asia. Brill, 2010. https://brill.com/view/title/14740.; Tantra in Practice, ed. David Gordon White (Princeton University Press, 2000), 119–30, https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv3hh53v.14.

Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss?  Let us know by finding us on email or social media!  https://linktr.ee/brightonbuddhism

Credits:

Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-Host

Proven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host


Nicholas Bright Haight brings his academic background and personal curiosity to each episode of Bright On Buddhism. As a scholar of East Asian Buddhism currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Religion, with a specialization in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture, Nick approaches these conversations with both depth and accessibility. The discussions unfold in a relaxed, question-and-answer style, making often complex philosophical and historical ideas feel approachable and immediately relevant. You’ll hear explorations that draw from his specific research areas, like Japanese Buddhist historical responses to cultural shifts, while also addressing the broader, timeless questions at the heart of the tradition. This isn’t a formal lecture series, but rather a thoughtful dialogue meant for anyone with an interest in how these ancient teachings intersect with modern life. The Bright On Buddhism podcast creates a space where scholarly insight meets casual conversation, demystifying topics without losing their profound essence. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or just beginning to explore spirituality and religion, these episodes offer a grounded and informative perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 252

Bright On Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
Who is Akshobhya? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:11
Bright on Buddhism Episode 84 - Who is Akshobhya? What are some stories about him? How is he depicted in iconography? Resources: Nattier, Jan (2000). "The Realm of Aksobhya: A Missing Piece in the History of Pure Land Bu…
What is non-attachment in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:22
Bright on Buddhism Episode 83 - What is non-attachment in Buddhism? What texts discuss it and how? How does the definition of the term change over time? Resources: Bodhi, Bhikkhu (ed.) (1978, 2005). A Treatise on the Par…
Vajrasekhara Sutra - Fascicle One Part Two [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:52
Bright on Buddhism - Vajrasekhara Sutra - Fascicle One - Part Two Resources: https://www.bdkamerica.org/product/two-esoteric-sutras/; Bentor, Yael, and Meir Shahar, eds. Chinese and Tibetan esoteric Buddhism. Leiden ; Br…
What are the paramitas in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:49
Bright on Buddhism Episode 82 - What are the paramitas in Buddhism? How ought one cultivate them? How do understandings of them change over time? Resources: Bodhi, Bhikkhu (1978). The All-Embracing Net of Views. Kandy: B…
Buddhish Episode 14 - Vairocana and Cosmic-ness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:38
Buddhish Episode 14 - Vairocana and Cosmic-ness Join us for a lively discussion about Vairocana, samsara, and the nature of Cosmic-ness in Esoteric Buddhism. This episode features discussion about Vajrasekhara Sutra Fasc…
What is "the great doubt" in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:18
Bright on Buddhism Episode 81 - What is "the great doubt" in Buddhism? How does one cultivate it? Why ought one cultivate it? Resources: Berzin, Alexander (2006), Primary Minds and the 51 Mental Factors; Guenther, Herber…
Asian Religions Series - Shintō Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:19
Bright on Buddhism - Asian Religions Series - Shintō Part 1 Hello and welcome to the Asian religions series. In this series, we will be discussing religious traditions in Asia other than Buddhism. Buddhism never existed…
Vajrasekhara Sutra - Fascicle One - Part One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:28
Bright on Buddhism - Vajrasekhara Sutra - Fascicle One - Part One Resources: https://www.bdkamerica.org/product/two-esoteric-sutras/; Bentor, Yael, and Meir Shahar, eds. Chinese and Tibetan esoteric Buddhism. Leiden ; Br…