Taklamakan            The Land of No Return      © 2001, John A. Schettler

The Mystery of the Tantras

Springing from the more esoteric traditions of Mayhayana Buddhism, the Tantric rituals embodied the principle that enlightenment was indeed possible within a single lifetime. While many Buddhist practices eschewed the physical delights of life and embraced a more ascetic interpretation of the “Eightfold Path,” the Tantric tradition held that sensual delights could also lead to one to enlightenment. Female figures gained new prominence as vehicles for transformation and refinement of spiritual energies.

The notion of “Sacred Sexuality” was also part of the Tantric canon, though the rituals and rites of practice surrounding Tantric intercourse were closely guarded.

Still, most of the renowned Guru Masters and holy men of the time took “Sacred Consorts” where they explored these sexual/spritual energies.

The concept of the sacred spiritual consort was superimposed over the image of the female Dakini, and it was held, for the first time, that a woman could attain the same level of spiritual enlightenment as the Buddha. These powerful and transforming concepts have been preserved in Tantric traditions to this day. In “Taklamakan” the character Nala is initiated to the Tantric Rites in the scene “Whisper of Night.”

Taklamakan            The Land of No Return      © 2001, John A. Schettler