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Tantric Śaivism in Early Medieval India: Recent Research and Future Directions
Author(s) -
Hatley Shaman
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
religion compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.113
H-Index - 1
ISSN - 1749-8171
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-8171.2010.00240.x
Subject(s) - tantra , buddhism , history , psychology , classics , anthropology , ancient history , sociology , art , literature , archaeology
This essay reviews the state of the study of Tantric or ‘Esoteric’Śaivism in early medieval India, circa 500–1200 c.e . Focusing on research published over the past decade, the discussion covers the following subjects: early scriptural literature (the Śaiva tantra s or āgama s), exegetical and philosophical traditions, ritual and yoga, the roots of Tantric Śaivism, intersections between tantra , and the medieval temple, and debates concerning the relationship between Śaivism and Tantric Buddhism. The essay concludes with a discussion of recent progress in reconstructing the historical contexts of early medieval Śaivism, with a call for further inquiry into its social history.