Tantra

Tantra (; ) is an esoteric yogic tradition that developed in the Indian subcontinent, beginning in the middle of the 1st millennium CE, initially within Shaivism and Shaktism, and subsequently in Mahayana Buddhism and Vaishnavism. Tantra presents complex cosmologies, viewing the body as divine and typically reflecting the union of Shiva and Shakti. Tantric goals include Siddhi (supernatural accomplishment), bhoga, and Kundalini ascent; while also addressing states of possession (āveśa) and exorcism.

The term tantra in the Indian traditions also means any systematic broadly applicable "text, theory, system, method, instrument, technique or practice". The tantras focus on sādhanā, encompassing dīkṣā, rituals, and yoga, within a framework that includes bodily purification, divine self-creation through mantra, dhyana, pūjā, mudrā, and the use of yantras or maṇḍalas, despite variations in deities and mantras. A key feature of tantric traditions is the use of mantras, thus they are commonly referred to as Mantramārga ('Path of Mantra') in Hinduism, Mantrayāna ('Mantra Vehicle') and Guhyamantra ('Secret Mantra') in Buddhism.