The Inner Kalacakratantra: A Buddhist Tantric View of the Individual [Hardcover]

Vesna Wallace (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195122119 | ISBN-13: 978-0195122114 | Publication Date: August 16, 2001

The Kalacakratantra, the latest and most comprehensive Buddhist Tantra available in its original Sanskrit, has never been the topic of a full scale scholarly study. This fascinating volume fills that gap, concentrating on the inner Kalackaratantra and discussing the nature of human beings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book, which is the first scholarly overview of the Kalacakra to appear in a Western language, is an essential source not only for scholars of the Vajrayana, but for any scholar of Buddhism. Though written at the highest scholarly level, it is very readable, making it also an ideal source for pratitioners who wish to extend their knowledge of the Kalacakra system. Buddhist Studies Review Wallace's immaculate work is outstanding not only in providing a broad outlook on the Buddhist context of the themes she explores, but also where the discussion takes her into other religious traditions. Buddhist Studies Review Ground-breaking research on the Kalacakra tradition ... Wallace's in-depth acquaintance with the Kalacakra literature and the Vimalaprabha in particular is reflected throughout the work in the detailed and illuminating cross-referencing which she provides. Buddhist Studies Review

About the Author

Vesna Wallace is at University of California, Santa Barbara.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 16, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195122119
• ISBN-13: 978-0195122114
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #787,140 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good summary and analysis, October 25, 2005

By 

Robin Kornman (Milwaukee, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Inner Kalacakratantra: A Buddhist Tantric View of the Individual (Hardcover)

This is a very good book on the second chapter of the Kalacakratantra and its commentary, the Vimalaprabha. This is the chapter that concerns individual practice, but it also treats the general topics one wants to read about in the Kalacakra overall. One of the good things Wallace does is describe some of the major sources and allusions. For example, she tracks the places in the Manjushri Namasamgiti which influence the tantra or are quoted in it and the Hindu sources for the K. Her speculations are clear and well-grounded.

Wallace has an equally excellent companion volume, a translation of this chapter and its commentary: _The Kalacakratantra: The Chapter On The Individual Together With The Vimalaprabha._ In the works is a third volume which will be, if I understand correctly, a translation of a sadhana drawn from the tantra.

My interest in this tantra is both scholarly as an academic and personal as a practitioner. From both points of view Wallace's work is, it seems to me, as good as it gets.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must-have' for Kalachakra students and practitioners, September 29, 2004

By 

Rudy - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Inner Kalacakratantra: A Buddhist Tantric View of the Individual (Hardcover)

This work by Vesna Wallace is cerainly one of the most comprehensive packages of information on the Kalachakra in book form available today in English. In combination with 'Ornament to Stainless Light', it becomes a virtual Kalachakra encyclopedia for students and serious practitioners of the Kalachakra.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars helpful, but newly expensive, March 31, 2008

By 

A reader (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Inner Kalacakratantra: A Buddhist Tantric View of the Individual (Hardcover)

This is a fine volume. Unfortunately, the list price has been steadily increasing over the last few weeks - it used to cost $45 until recently. At this rate it will hit four figures by the end of the year.