‖ ˈTantra
[Skr. tantra loom, warp, hence groundwork, principle, system, doctrine, f. tan to stretch, extend.]
One of a class of Hindu religious works in Sanskrit, of comparatively recent date, chiefly of magical and mystical nature; also, of a class of Buddhist works of similar character.
| 1799 Asiatic Researches V. 53 The Tantras form a branch of literature highly esteemed, though at present much neglected. Ibid. 62, I am informed, that the Tantras collectively are noticed in very ancient compositions. 1901 Mission. Rec. U.F. Ch. Scotl. Sept. 411/2 The Tantras, the sacred books of the Shakti worshippers. |
Hence ˈTantrism, the doctrine or principles of the Tantras; ˈTantrist, an adherent of tantrism.
| 1877 Tantrism [see Sakta]. 1882 Ogilvie (Annandale), Tantrism. 1891 tr. De La Saussaye's Hist. Sc. Relig. lxxv. 622 Tantrism..is common to Buddhist and Hindu communities. 1891 Cent. Dict., Tantrist. |
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Add: 2. = Tantrism n.
| 1956 A. Huxley Let. 14 Mar. (1969) 791, I shall place the fable..on an island..inhabited by people who are descended from Buddhist colonists from the mainland, and so know all about Tantra (which is more than I do). 1988 Times of India 23 Feb. i. 1/4 Two-and-a-half years ago, Bhagwan Das took to Durga Workshop and later practised tantra also. Soon he began to behave abnormally and stopped even meeting his relatives and friends. |