Definitions for tantraˈtʌn trə, ˈtɑn-, ˈtæn-

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Random House Webster's College Dictionary

Tan•traˈtʌn trə, ˈtɑn-, ˈtæn-(n.)(pl.)-tras.

  1. (italics) any of several books of esoteric Hindu doctrine regarding rituals, meditation, etc., composed in the form of dialogues between Shiva and his Shakti.

    Category: Eastern Religions

  2. (l.c.)the exoteric philosophy or practice based on these writings: influential in Buddhism, esp. in Tibet.

    Category: Eastern Religions

Origin of Tantra:

< Skt

Tan′tric(adj.)

Princeton's WordNet

  1. tantra(noun)

    any of a fairly recent class of Hindu or Buddhist religious literature concerned with ritual acts of body and speech and mind

  2. Tantra, Tantrism(noun)

    doctrine of enlightenment as the realization of the oneness of one's self and the visible world; combines elements of Hinduism and paganism including magical and mystical elements like mantras and mudras and erotic rites; especially influential in Tibet

Wiktionary

  1. tantra(Noun)

    A Hindu or Buddhist religious or esoteric text.


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