Chinnamasta: The Aweful Buddhist and Hindu Tantric (Buddhist Tradition) [Paperback]

Elizabeth Anne Benard (Author)

Book Description

Series: Buddhist Tradition | Publication Date: December 2000

The entire Hindu "Chinnamastatantra" section from the Sakta Pramoda, the Buddhist "Chinnamunda Vajravarahisadhna" 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. Chinnamunda 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.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Elisabeth Benard became interested in India at the age of twelve years when her father first brought back Hindu images from a trip to India. She researched in India under the auspices of the American Institute of Indian Studies and received her doctrate from Columbia University. She has lectured widely in the United States, including at Smithsonian Institute and Asia Society, as well as in India and Japan. She has taught at Princeton, Rutgers University of Hawaii at Manoa. Presently she is teaching Hinduism, Women in Religion, and the Asian Religions in Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass, (December 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8120817486
• ISBN-13: 978-8120817487
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,439,774 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The History and overview of a Tantric goddess!, July 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Chinnamasta: The Aweful Buddhist & Hindu Tantri Goddess (Buddhist Traditions) (Hardcover)

Indepth research into a Tantric goddess that crosses over the boundries of Buddhism and Hinduism. Excellent background history for those interested in Tantra and Eastern religions.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible, invaluable piece of scholarship, September 1, 2007

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Kaulika - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chinnamasta: The Aweful Buddhist and Hindu Tantric (Buddhist Tradition) (Paperback)

This slim volume contains a wealth of information on the evocative goddess, Chinnamasta. It's difficult to find information on Chinnamasta, even in India - but Benard presents here not only background information on the goddess, but also the complete puja (worship), with mantras, meanings and also - most interestingly - the actual practices that go along with puja.

This is a must-read for anyone interested in the field of Shakta Tantra. It is well-written, and although Benard could better support some of her assertions, overall it is an important contribution to the field.