1. Buddhist Tantric Theology? The Genealogy and Soteriology of Tara
- Author
-
Scherer, Bee
- Subjects
Redemption -- Analysis ,Lamaism -- Analysis ,Genealogy -- Analysis ,Femininity of God -- Analysis ,Salvation -- Analysis ,History ,Philosophy and religion - Abstract
The-a-logy within the Judeo-Christian tradition can be described as a feminist religious subversion of (hetero)patriarchal theology. In this article I argue that the Buddhist bodhisattva/deity Tara (Saviouress, Tibetan sgrol ma) can provide (and is indeed already providing) similar empowering counter-patriarchal impulses in contemporary global Buddhist (post-)modernism(s). This article gauges the possibilities of developing thealogy in the Buddhist context based on the unique approach to enlightened female compassion provided in the Indic and Tibetan Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions. Genealogy, narratives, iconography, and soteriological conceptualization of Tara in selected Sanskrit and Tibetan stotras (praises) and sadhanas (meditation texts) are discussed. Tara is demonstrated to be a multi-valent and multi-functional figure within evolving and changing Indic and Tibetan reference frames. The article follows Tara's transformative journey from her origin in hybridity with (Hindu/Saiva/Sakta) Devi/Durga traditions; her conceptualization as embodiment of the compassion of Avalokitesvara--himself the (male) bodhisattva of compassion; as the 'saviouress from the eight great dangers' (aita-mahabhaya; Tibetan 'jigs pa chen po brgyad: lions, elephants, fire, snakes, robbery, water dangers, political dangers/prison, and demons/piiacas); to the empowering female bodhisattva, transcending the gender binarism as Princess Ye shes zla ba. Subsequently, Tara's rise and function within Buddhist Tantra and her connection and identification with Prajnaparamita, and as a consort in the Mahayoga and Yogin! Tantra traditions are scrutinized. I show how identifying with the female deity in tantric practice pushes the heteropatriarchal, male adept beyond the edge of gender binarism and facilitates the collapse of gender dualities into nondual awareness: on every level of the practitioner's weakening dualistic perception of conventional reality, Tara provides the female access port to nonduality beyond gender. After shedding light on the meaning and the function of Tara deity yoga in IndoTibetan traditions, this article reflects on contemporary 'theological' adaptations, such as the New Age Buddhist Tara dancers, and the challenges and opportunities of Buddhist tantric thealogy. This article exemplifies how a feminist-emancipatory impulse within Christian theology and Christian studies can provide a fruitful inspiration for analogous impulses in Buddhist critical-constructive thought (Dharmology) and Buddhist studies. Keywords: thealogy, Tara, goddess, feminism, tantra, Tibetan Buddhism, Buddhist literature, iconography, ritual, modernism., INTRODUCTION: THE MANY LEVELS OF FEMALE ENLIGHTENED EMBODIMENT 'Thealogy' (see Raphael 1998) within the Judeo-Christian, (neo-)gnostic, and (neo-) pagan traditions can be seen as a feminist religious subversion of patriarchy. [...]
- Published
- 2018