- 176 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
The Concept of Mind in Hindu Tantra
About this book
This book presents an account of the concept of mind in Hindu Tantra through a study of religious and philosophical texts in the medieval period.
Offering an understanding on how the mind is conceptualized both as that which keeps a person bound to the cycle of reincarnation and as having transformative potential in allowing a person to achieve liberation or salvation, this book examines mostly previously untranslated sources. It shows how there are different understandings of the mind that relate to different ideas of redemption. The main tantric tradition, the ?aiva Siddh?nta, adopts a model of mind from Yoga in which the wandering mind keeps us trapped, whereas the nondualist ?aiva tradition, sometimes called 'Kashmir' ?aivism, sees the mind as inherently pure and free. The book traces a history of the concept of mind from early sources, especially Buddhism, through to the tantric medieval period, and ending with the eighteenth century. The author shows how the concept changes and what is retained. A comparison of the tantric ideas of mind with those of some European philosophy – notably Descartes' dualism and German idealism's non-dualism – sharpens the concept of mind in the tantric tradition.
A historical and philosophical study of key ideas in the tantric traditions, this book will be of interest to researchers in the field of Religious Studies, Asian Religion, Hindu Studies, Indian philosophy, and comparative philosophy.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover Page
- Half Title page
- Series Page
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figure
- Preface and Acknowledgements
- Introduction: The Concept of Mind in Indian Thinking
- 1 The Mind in Śaiva Scriptures
- 2 The Śākta Śaiva Discourse on Mind
- 3 Later Developments: The Treatise on Recollecting the Mind, the Cittānubodhaśāstra
- 4 Grounding the Mind
- 5 Comparing Philosophies of Mind
- Conclusion: Mind in Tantra
- Bibliography
- Index