[Buddha-l] Tantric Buddhism

[Bob Zeuschner]

I wonder if any of you can recommend a text or texts which could help me 
sort out:
(1) Indian Hindu Tantric thought 5th-13th century
(2) Indian Buddhist Tantric thought 5th-13th century
(3) Tibetan Tantric Buddhism

Most texts I own seem to conflate all three, and many consider later 
Tibetan Tantric ideas to be the same as the earlier Indian Tantric 
practices and beliefs.

I am inclined to believe that there are significant differences between 
(2) and (3), but I'm not sure if there were any significant differences 
between (1) and (2).

Erik's remarks quoted below offer a start of an answer to my question.

Any references or thoughts would be deeply appreciated.

Bob Zeuschner
Dept. of Philosophy
Pasadena City College

Erik Hoogcarspel wrote:

> What still puzzles me is the relation between the tantras as ritual 
> systems with strong brahmanic influences and the mahaasiddhas, which 
> were mainly errant yogis who were not so much into rituals and mainly 
> practised asanas and breathing techniques. Some of them didn't even care 
> whether they were to be called hindu or buddhist. The Tibetans merged 
> all the different tantras into a more or less unified ritual system. The 
> songs of the mahaasiddhas and those of their present successors, the 
> Bauls, show a strong indifference to rituals and theory. Rituals and 
> formal initiations are more a hobby of monks. But somehow the Tibetan 
> tradition has developed the ideal of combining the career of a monk and 
> a mahaasiddha.
> 
> Erik