28
Dec
2017
Tantra, its concept in East and West
Tantra is a Sanskrit word that can be broken into two sub-words: tan and tra
Tan – meaning expansion
Tra – meaning translating into tool
In other words, tantra is the tool of expansion. It is a purely spiritual practice. The way of practicing tantra is known as tantrism. There have been different concepts and practices of tantrism till the date. The practice of tantrism varies in the Eastern and Western world.
Table of Contents
Tantrism in Eastern World
In the Eastern world, Tantrism is a purely spiritual practice and is the utmost achievement of divine power. Tantra is believed to be the series of texts, beliefs, and rituals that enable a person to achieve the divine and the vast energy of the universe. It is known to be originated from India and hence combines different Indian religious practices to raise consciousness. At first Tantric writings generated among the Buddhist in India around the 4th century. Later on, Hindu practitioners also started adapting. Now it is opened to all people.
The concept of the majority of the Eastern world is they see the body as a barrier for their spiritual path. For Example, Buddha and Gandhi thought sexual life and any forms associated with it as a sinful practice and taught their followers from practicing those kinds of stuff. Tantra is exactly the opposite of this. It uses the body and the sexual experience as a unity of the divine Shaki and Shiva.
Shakti – The creative energy of the universe, the female divinity
Shiva – The transformative energy and Universal consciousness, the male energy.
Tantrism in Western World
The western world has totally manipulated the concept of mantra and use it only to answer all their sexual prayers. Instead of adopting a specific lifestyle and a committed spiritual practice, Western World sees Tantra as a light tool that can be gained easily by paying a certain amount for the workshop, classes, or a book. The deep and scared meaning o Tantra have been ignored and turned into a consumer product.
It only looks Tantrasim is just a practice for achieving their needs and is creating a culture of eroticism.
Tantric Art and Mandalas
Tantric Mandalas are used for deep meditation to achieving tantric energy. Different kinds of symbols are used in the Tantric Mandalas. The Vajra and The Bell are the two important one.
In tantric routines, the Vajra is normally held in the right hand and the Bell in the left. The binding of both gives the tantric energy, the Vajra symbolizes method, bliss, and male aspects, and the Bell symbolizes wisdom, emptiness, the female aspect. The bell as a whole symbolizes the sound of the Dharma and is often used in tantric rituals to offer sound.
There are also various statues of gods and goddesses in the temple that portrays the tantrism.
