The Inner Kalacakratantra

A Buddhist Tantric View of the Individual

Vesna A Wallace author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press Inc

Published:6th Sep '01

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The Inner Kalacakratantra cover

The Kalacakratantra is the latest and most comprehensive Buddhist Tantra that is available in its original Sanskrit. This will be the first thorough academic work to be published on this Tantra. The Kalacakratantra's five chapters are classified into three categories: Outer, Inner, and Other Kalacakratantra. The present work concentrates on the Inner Kalacakratantra, which deals with the nature of a human being. It focuses particularly on the second chapter of the Kalacakratantra, called 'The Chapter on the Individual'. Noting that this crucial chapter is closely related to the other chapters of this Tantra, however, Wallace discusses its topics in their relationship to the larger concepts of the Kalacakratantra's view of the individual which is shown to be inseparable from its view of the universe, discussed in the first chapter. Similarly, the understanding of the person becomes clear only when examined in the light of the tantric yoga practices described in the third, fourth, and fifth chapters.

This book, which is the first scholarly overview of the Kalacakra to appear in a Western language, is an essential source not only for scholars of the Vajrayana, but for any scholar of Buddhism. Though written at the highest scholarly level, it is very readable, making it also an ideal source for pratitioners who wish to extend their knowledge of the Kalacakra system. Buddhist Studies Review
Wallace's immaculate work is outstanding not only in providing a broad outlook on the Buddhist context of the themes she explores, but also where the discussion takes her into other religious traditions. * Buddhist Studies Review *
Ground-breaking research on the Kalacakra tradition ... Wallace's in-depth acquaintance with the Kalacakra literature and the Vimalaprabha in particular is reflected throughout the work in the detailed and illuminating cross-referencing which she provides. * Buddhist Studies Review *

ISBN: 9780195122114

Dimensions: 242mm x 165mm x 26mm

Weight: 531g

288 pages