Chinnamasta: The Aweful Buddhist and Hindu Tantric Goddess

Benard, Elizabeth Anne

ISBN 10: 8120810651 / ISBN 13: 9788120810655

Published by Motilal Banarsidass Publications, 1994

About this Item

Dust Jacket Near Fine, with laminate peel in lower right corner on back of jacket. Mild yellowing to text. First Edition.

Seller Inventory # 227220

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Chinnamasta: The Aweful Buddhist and Hindu Tantric Goddess
• Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publications
• Publication Date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 8120810651
• ISBN 13: 9788120810655
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Religion

About this title

Synopsis

This is the first monograph which examines the rare Buddhist and Hindu Tantric Goddess, Chinnamasta, her rituals, her names and forms (namarupa) and their symbolism by comparing and contrasting her sadhanas (spiritual practices) in Hinduism and Buddhism. The entire Hindu ''Chinnamastatantra'' section from the Sakta Pramoda, the Buddhist ''Chinnamunda Vajravarahisadhana'' and the ''Trikayavajrayoginistuti'' are translated for the first time into English. Since Chinnamasta is a rare goddess, her texts were not popularized or made ''fashionable'' according to the dictates of a particular group at a particular time. The earliest extant texts date from the ninth and tenth centuries-a time when Hindu and Buddhist Tantras were developing under common influences in the same places in India. Having such texts about Chinnamasta Chinnamasta from these centuries, one can begin to understand the mutuality of a general Tantric tradition and the exclusivity of a particular Hindu or Buddhist Tantric tradition. Hence the study, not only examines Chinnamasta, but also attempts to understand what is a Tantric tradition.

About the Author

She has taught at Princeton, Rutgers University, College of Wooster and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Presently she is teaching Hinduism, Women in Religion, and Asian Religions at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.