H.H. Wilson on Newari Tantra

[Indrajala]

H.H. Wilson on Newari Buddhism:

Such is the nonsensical extravagance with which this and the Tantrika ceremonies generally abound; and we might be disposed to laugh at such absurdities, if the temporary frenzy, which the words excite in the minds of those who hear and repeat them with agitated awe, did not offer a subject worthy of serious contemplation in the study of human nature.

This might sound a bit aggressive, but it was written in 1828.

It actually says something about how Tantra was initially understood by the western world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Hayman_Wilson

[gregkavarnos]

This might sound a bit aggressive, but it was written in 1828.

It actually says something about how Tantra was initially understood by the western world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Hayman_Wilson

I'm sure you will find the same amount of agression existing in 2013 depending on the groups/individuals you ask the opinion of.

[Jikan]

That's true, Greg. However, contemporary anthropologists generally do a better job of practicing descriptive rather than prescriptive (if you will) ethnography.

Relevant:

http://books.google.com/books/about/Tim ... zVdQfAKVgC