Vajra Yogini - Her Visualizations, Rituals, and Forms (603p) [Anomolous].pdf

Vajra Yogini - Her Visualizations, Rituals, and Forms (603p) [Anomolous].pdf

Series: Studies in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism
Paperback: 608 pages
Publisher: Wisdom Publications; 1st Wisdom Ed edition (June 15, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 086171329X
ISBN-13: 978-0861713295

I recommend anyone that has been initiated into the "Yogini" systems -- Chakrasamvara, Vajrayogini, Hevajra, etc, obtain this book. It is better than any of the other Vajrayogini books that have been printed so far (not mentioning names) -- most of which just re-iterate the Tibetan monastic tradition

Vajrayogini is a tantric goddess from the highest class of Buddhist tantras who manifests the ultimate development of wisdom and compassion. Her practice is prevalent today among practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism. This ground-breaking book delves into the origins of Vajrayogini, charting her evolution in India and examining her roots in the Cakrasamvara tantra and in Indian tradition relating to siva.

The focus of this work is the Guhyasamayasadhanamala, a collection of forty-six sadhanas, or practice texts. Written on palm leaves in Sanskrit and preserved since the twelfth century, this diverse collection, composed by various authors, reveals a multitude of forms of the goddess, each of which is described and illustrated here. One of the sadhanas, the Vajravarahi Sadhana by Umapatideva, depicts Vajrayogini at the center of a mandala of thirty-seven different goddesses, and is here presented in full translation alongside a Sanskrit edition. Elizabeth English provides extensive explanation and annotation of this representative text. Sixteen pages of stunning color plates not only enhance the study but bring the goddess to life.

This book surveys forms of Vajrayogini and Varjravarahi in India, summarizes the Vajrayogini practices to be found in the Guhyasamayasadhanamala collection of sadhanas, and prints one sadhana from this collection,examining it in detail. English throughout discusses the philosophical assumptions of the sadhana within the larger context of Buddhist philosophical traditions. Scholarly, but at least for me, hard to put down - I learned so much from this book, which elucidated several details of tantric practice that I had been confused about. I found this book very helpful.