The Broader Theoretical Framework of the Kālacakratantra
The Broader Theoretical Framework of the Kālacakratantra
The first part of this chapter gives a general introduction traditions and theory to the Kālacakratantra, which is described as belonging to the class of the unexcelled yoga‐tantras (anuttara‐yoga‐tantra). Together with its most authoritative Indian commentary, the Vimalaprabhā it stands as the most comprehensive and informative tantra of its class. According to the Kālacakra tradition itself, the Kālacakratantra is the most explicit tantra, which imparts its teaching by revealing the actual meanings, whereas the other anuttara‐yoga‐tantras, which are regarded as secret or concealed tantras, convey their meanings in an implicit manner. The topics covered in the further sections of the chapter are the classification of the families in the Kālacakra tradition; a critique by the Mādhyamika system of Buddhist philosophy of other philosophical systems in the Kālacakratantra; the concept of the Ādibuddha in the Kālacakra tantric system; and the Kālacakratantra and the Mañjuśrīnāmasaṃgīti [a fairly early devotional tantric text of unknown origin (circa 7th century) for communal recitation centring on the praises of the bodhisattva Mañjuśrī, the Buddhist patron saint of wisdom and learning]. The last section of the chapter presents a brief analysis of the Inner Kālacakratantra.
Keywords: Ādibuddha, anuttara‐yoga‐tantra, Buddhist philosophy, Indian tantric Buddhism, Inner Kālacakratantra, Kālacakra tantric system, Kālacakra, Kālacakratantra, Mādhyamika, Mañjuśrīnāmasaṃgīti, tantras, Tantrism, theory, traditions, Vimalaprabhā
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