Dakini's Warm Breath The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism

by SIMMER-BROWN, JUDITH

• ISBN13: 9781570629204
• ISBN10: 157062920X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-12-10
• Publisher: Shambhala

Summary

The primary emblem of the feminine in Tibetan Buddhism is the dakini, or "sky-dancer," a semi-wrathful spirit-woman who manifests in visions, dreams, and meditation experiences. Western scholars and interpreters of the dakini, influenced by Jungian psychology and feminist goddess theology, have shaped a contemporary critique of Tibetan Buddhism in which the dakini is seen as a psychological "shadow," a feminine savior, or an objectified product of patriarchal fantasy. According to Judith Simmer-Brown-who writes from the point of view of an experienced practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism-such interpretations are inadequate. In the spiritual journey of the meditator, Simmer-Brown demonstrates, the dakini symbolizes levels of personal realization: the sacredness of the body, both female and male; the profound meeting point of body and mind in meditation; the visionary realm of ritual practice; and the empty, spacious qualities of mind itself. When the meditator encounters the dakini, living spiritual experience is activated in a nonconceptual manner by her direct gaze, her radiant body, and her compassionate revelation of reality. Grounded in the author's personal encounter with the dakini, this unique study will appeal to both male and female spiritual seekers interested in goddess worship, women's spirituality, and the tantric tradition.

Author Biography

Judith Simmer-Brown, Ph.D., is professor and chair of the religious studies department at Naropa University (formerly the Naropa Institute), where she has taught since 1978. She has authored numerous articles on Tibetan Buddhism, Buddhist-Christian dialogue, and Buddhism in America. She is an Acharya (senior teacher) in the lineage of Ch÷gyam Trungpa. A practicing Buddhist since 1971, she lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Table of Contents

Illustrations	ix
Preface	xi
Acknowledgments	xxiii
Introduction Encountering the Dakini	1	(3)
Missed Opportunities, Skewed Interpretations	4	(4)
The Dakini as Symbol in Tibetan Buddhism	8	(3)
Gender, Subjectivity, and the Feminine Principle	11	(32)
Jungian Interpretations of the Dakini: ``Fantasy of Opposites''	11	(6)
Feminist Interpretations of the Dakini: Problems and Promise	17	(8)
The Complexity of Religious Symbols: Spiritual Subjectivity	25	(8)
Gender in Traditional Tibet	33	(6)
Symbolism and Subjectivity: The Feminine Principle	39	(4)
The Dakini in Tibetan Buddhism	43	(38)
Dakini Development in India	45	(6)
The Meaning of the Dakini in Tibetan Buddhism	51	(2)
General Classifications of Dakinis	53	(12)
The Three Bodies of Englightened Dakinis	65	(4)
Four Aspects of Dakini: Outer-Outer, Outer, Inner, and Secret	69	(10)
Conclusion	79	(2)
The Secret Dakini: The Great Mother	81	(35)
The Great Mother Prajnaparamita	84	(5)
Vajrayana Transformation: Great Queen Prajnaparamita	89	(5)
Evoking the Secret Dakini: Practicing the Guru's Instructions	94	(2)
Vajrayana Meditation Practice: Creation and Completion	96	(2)
The Mother as Birth-Giver: Symbols Arising from Space	98	(8)
Aniconic Representations of the Mother	106	(4)
Iconographic Depictions of the Great Mother	110	(2)
How Is the Mother Feminine?	112	(4)
The Inner Dakini: The Visionary Queen	116	(45)
Mandala Principle	117	(4)
The Charnel Ground	121	(6)
The Dakini in the Charnel Ground	127	(5)
Coemergence, Heat, and the Charnel Ground	132	(5)
Vajrayogini, the Coemergent Mother	137	(7)
Alternate Forms of Vajrayogini	144	(3)
Is Vajrayogini a Goddess?	147	(6)
The Mandala of the Heruka and Dakini: Cakrasamvara and Vajrayogini	153	(5)
Yab-Yum and Subjectivity	158	(3)
The Outer Dakini: The Subtle Body of Bliss	161	(21)
Tantra and Embodiment	162	(6)
The Subtle Body in Tibetan Buddhism	168	(4)
Dakinis and the Sacred Landscape of the Subtle Body	172	(4)
Feminine, Masculine, and the Subtle Body	176	(3)
The Dakini as the Symbol of Subtle-Body Yoga	179	(1)
Conclusion	180	(2)
The Outer-Outer Dakini: The Dakini in Human Form	182	(52)
Symbol and Actuality: Human Dakinis	186	(1)
Types of Human Dakinis	187	(2)
Physical Signs of the Dakini	189	(5)
Female Tantric Gurus	194	(5)
The Dakini as Mother, Sister, or Maid	199	(3)
Embodied Dakini as the Practice and the Realization	202	(2)
Every Woman Is Part of the Dakini	204	(4)
Prajna, Upaya, Women, and Men	208	(3)
Desire and Sexuality in Buddhist Tantra	211	(5)
Sexual Yoga and the Dakini	216	(7)
Types of Consorts	223	(8)
Milarepa and Karmamudra	231	(3)
Living Encounters with the Dakini	234	(31)
Dakini as Messenger and Intermediary	235	(5)
Determining the Dakini's Identity	240	(2)
Timing and Quality of Encounters	242	(4)
Transmission as the Blessing of the Dakini's Body	246	(7)
Dakini Activities: Devouring and Feeding	253	(6)
Gender Differences: Yogini Encounters with the Dakini	259	(6)
Protectors of the Tantric Teachings	265	(21)
Auspicious Coincidence and Uddiyana	267	(3)
Symbols Hidden and Revealed	270	(6)
The Wisdom Dakini Protector Ekajati	276	(3)
On Behalf of the Tradition: Founders of New Lineages of Teaching	279	(7)
Conclusion Dakini's Warm Breath: Quintessence of a Tantric Symbol	286	(7)
Notes	293	(70)
Select Bibliography	363	(22)
Tibetan Transliterations and Sanskrit Equivalents	385	(8)
Credits	393	(2)
Index	395