Functions of Metaphors in the Soteriology of Early Tantric Buddhism Cover Image

Rola metafor w soteriologii wczesnego buddyzmu tantrycznego
Functions of Metaphors in the Soteriology of Early Tantric Buddhism

Author(s): Marek Szymański
Subject(s): Philosophy, Non-European Philosophy, East Asian Philosophy
Published by: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Szczecińskiego

Summary/Abstract: The functions of new metaphors in early tantric Buddhism are analysed in the paper. Two models of religious practice are concerned. According to both of them, the goal of tantric practice is permanent modification of the practitioner’s cognitive activity. That modification can be understood as willingness to implement particular metaphors spontaneously into the process of perceptive data interpretation. Those metaphorical concepts are closely related to the conception of buddha nature. Religious practice of Vajrayāna can be seen as striving for experiential substantiation for the main of those metaphors (mind is mandala). Special act of visualization in ritual context is expected to be such substantiation. Six types of metaphors important in the soteriology of the early Vajrayāna can be distinguished. All of them are discussed in the paper.

  • Issue Year: 2023
  • Issue No: 64
  • Page Range: 47-67
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Polish