[Buddha-l] Re: Magic

[curt]

Joy Vriens wrote:
> In his Mantras et mandarins Michael Strickmann suggests that "Tantra" isn't due to foreign influences or a gradual degradation of Buddhist (and Hindu) values and ideas as those protestant Buddhist scholars that only exist in my head tend to see it. He sees it as part and parcel of religious culture, or in the case of Buddhism, simply as "the ritual and spectacular aspect of Buddhism itself". If one sees the role the power of the word (vac) plays in Buddhism, then chanting, dharanis, mantras, spells and charms seem related to me. And the law of karma is a book full of spells and charms for a better rebirth. Plenty of magic everywhere.
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Strickman's point of view makes even more sense when you take a 
comparative approach. The Tantric view of sexual love is similar to (but 
obviously not exactly the same) as what one finds in Taoism and 
Platonism - as well as in the "romantic" poetry of Rumi and the Troubadours.

In fact, even if one sticks to India, "Tantra" still lends itself to 
comparative study - because there is no bright line separating Buddhist 
and Hindu Tantra - as anyone familiar with the texts of Shingon knows. I 
am not claiming anything here beyond the simple idea that "Tantra" is, 
in fact, "part and parcel of religious culture" - as opposed to being 
some sort of "degeneration".

I am also very glad to see that we have exorcised Protestant Buddhism. I 
have been praying for that.

- Curt