Tantra in Practice, introduced by David Gordon White, explores an extensive collection of Asian beliefs and practices that aim to channel divine energy in creative and liberating ways. This compelling work encompasses thirty-six texts from regions such as China, India, Japan, Nepal, and Tibet, spanning from the seventh century to the present day. These texts represent the full spectrum of Tantric experiences, including Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, and even Islamic traditions. Each carefully chosen text is translated—often for the first time—by leading international experts who provide rich contextual backgrounds to enhance understanding.

The collection features a diverse range of literary forms such as plays, transcribed interviews, poetry, parodies, inscriptions, instructional texts, scriptures, philosophical conjectures, dreams, and astronomical speculations. From the nineteenth-century Indian Buddhist Garland of Gems, which uses vivid imagery of bees, yogurt, and mountain fires to discuss the illusion of appearances, to fourteenth-century Chinese Buddhist manuscripts detailing rituals for prosperity, the book offers a panoramic view of Tantric traditions. Additionally, intriguing accounts like a modern Hindu priest’s practices with the goddess Kali and a seventeenth-century Nepalese praise-poem to the goddess Taleju bring the texts to life with cultural depth and historical insight. Each text is supported by introductions outlining its historical context, literary genre, and notable features.

Why You Should Read Tantra in Practice:

• Comprehensive Exploration: Gain insight into a wide range of Tantric traditions across diverse cultures and time periods.
• Authentic Translations: Access rare texts, many translated into English for the first time by field experts.
• Rich Contextual Analysis: Benefit from background information that enhances understanding of each text’s significance.
• Diverse Literary Forms: Experience an engaging collection of genres, from poetry and philosophical musings to rituals and interviews.
• A Treasure Trove for Seekers: Perfect for students of Asian religions, spiritual enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the depth of Tantric knowledge.

About the Author:

David Gordon White serves as an associate professor of religious studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is also the author of Myths of the Dog-Man, published by the University of Chicago Press.

This book stands as an invaluable resource for anyone intrigued by the spiritual, philosophical, and cultural dimensions of Tantra.