An Introduction to Buddhist Esoterism (Benoytoshs Bhattacharyya)

In spite of the prevalent view against Tantricism and Tantric literature. Hindus in general are in the grip of this very Tantra in their daily life, customs and usages with all the attendant good and evil. The present work investigates and places before the scholars a dispassionate account of the Tantras in general and Buddhist Tantras in particular. The author traces its origin to primitive magic and its development. Narrating the rise of Vajrayana and its place of origin, along with the Tantras and Mantras Buddhism has given to the world, he records the accounts of prominent authors. Aims and objects, the leading tenets, the procedure for worship are elaborated together with a description of the Buddhist deities and its Pantheon. The Influence of Buddhist Tantricism on Hinduism is logically evaluated. Contains Index and illustrations.

1. INTRODUCTORY

2. ORIGIN OF BUDDHIST MAGIC

3. GROWTH OF BUDDHIST MAGIC

4. RISE OF VAJRAYANA

5. THE PLACE OF ORIGIN

6. THE TANTRAS

7. THE MANTRAS

8. SOME PROMINENT AUTHORS

9. AIMS AND OBJECTS

10. LEADING TENETS

11. PROCEDURE FOR WORSHIP

12. THE DEITIES

13. THE PANTHEON

14. INFLUENCE OF BUDDHIST TANTRISM ON HINDUISM

15. CONCLUSION

    INDEX