A Study on the Influence of Tantric Teachings on Buddhism.

Abstract

Scholars are in a thought of the emergence of Thantra Shastra took place with the emergence of human beings in the world. Therefore it is not clear when, by whom, how the Thantra was originated. Thantra encompass two major characteristics of human beings and they are “sound” and “motion”. These two are the powerful ways of communication. Gradually socialized people used universal powers like rain and sunlight in their lifestyles. Thantra was used to control and lead these powers as people wish. This is considered as an esotericism and it was very popular due to its simplicity and shortness. In Buddhism, which was originated in 6th century BC, Tantric characteristics can be distinguished during the time of the Lord Buddha and later in other Buddhist schools due to the influence of previous literatures like Vedic, Aranyaka and Upanisad. The clauses of Tantra, Mantra and Dharani are visible in pre-Buddhist suttas as well as in preaching of Vinaya Pitaka. Atanatiya sutta and Mahasamaya sutta in Deega Nikaya are examples for it. Buddhist Vinaya advises Buddhist monks not to engage in tantric miracle activities and Yanthra Mantra. People who are looking for spiritual development with simple ways are the reason to get related with thantra. A lot of suttas in Mahayana Buddhism also few suttas in Theravada Buddhism have an influence of Thantra. These suttas were created to achieve worldly pleasure as scholars suggest. This research paper wishes to show the influence of thantric on teachings of Pre-Buddhism and later Buddhist schools with examples.