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CONTENTS: Passionate Enlightenment: Women in Tantric Buddhism
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List of Illustrations
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ix
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Acknowledgments
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xi
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Guide to Transliteration
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xv
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Chapter One. Seeking the Traces of Sky-Dancers
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3
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Scholarly Contexts
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4
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Theoretical Considerations
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8
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Methodology
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12
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Chapter Two. Tantric Buddhism in India: Religious and Historical Introduction
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20
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Tantric Buddhist Thought and Practice
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21
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Cultural Background of the Tantric Movement
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30
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Chapter Three. Women in Tantric Theory: Powerful and Auspicious
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35
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Numinous, Sky-Borne Women
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37
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Respect and Honour
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39
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Consequences of Disrespect
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47
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Classifications of Women
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53
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Mothers, Sisters, and Daughters
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58
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Dancers, Courtesans, and Low-Caste Women
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59
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The Dancer and the King
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63
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Tantric Gender Ideology: A Gynocentric Balance
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68
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Chapter Four. Women in Tantric Circles: Adepts and Experts
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74
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Challenging Androcentric Readings
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75
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Magic and Ritual
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78
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Tantric Feasts
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81
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Envisioning Deities and Mandalas
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84
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Inner Yogas and Perfection Stage
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86
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Realization and Enlightenment
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87
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Women as Gurus
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97
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Chapter Five. Women in Tantric History: Founders and Pioneers
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101
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Vajravati and Wrathful Red Tara, a Female Buddha
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102
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Niguma and a Cakrasamvara Healing Mantra
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107
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Laksminkara and Severed-Headed Vajrayogini
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110
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Mekhala, Kanakhala, and Severed-Headed Vajrayogini Inner Yoga
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113
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Siddharajini and the Buddha of Infinite Life
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117
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Siddharajini and the Lord Who Dances on a Lotus
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122
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Bhiksuni Laksmi and Avalokitesvara Fasting Practice
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126
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The Mothers of the "Founding Fathers"
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130
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Chapter Six. Women in Tantric Relationships: Intimacy as a Path to Enlightenment
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140
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Tantric Union: Centerpiece of the Tantric Paradigm
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142
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Union with an Imagined Partner
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147
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Tantric Union and Tantric Metaphor
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149
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Union as Worship of the Female Partner
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152
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The Inner Yoga of the Yogini
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159
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Inner Fire Offering
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163
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Intimacy and Tantric Union
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166
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Women's Competence for Tantric Union
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168
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Reciprocity and Tantric Union
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173
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Chapter Seven. Spontaneous Jewellike Yogini on Passion and Enlightenment
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179
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The Teachings of Spontaneous Jewellike Yogini
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182
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Spontaneous Jewellike Yogini, the Woman
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190
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Chapter Eight. Conclusions
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195
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Historiographic Issues
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195
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Iconographic Issues
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201
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Buddhological Issues
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203
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Notes
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207
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Bibliography
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265
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Tibetan Sources
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265
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Sanskrit and Western Language Sources
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269
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Index
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283
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