The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (2428 page)

see
TANTRISM
.

 
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(Skt., ‘extension’, ‘warp on a loom’). A text of
Tantrism
. The word is also sometimes used as a synonym for
gama
and in a general sense for Tantric doctrine. Tantra denotes specifically
aiva
and especially
kta
texts, though a clear distinction is often difficult to make. Some
Vai
ava
texts are also called Tantras, such as the
Lak
mi Tantra
of the
Pañcar
tra
. The teachings of the Tantras are esoteric, concerning macro-microcosmic correspondence, phonic evolution (see
MANTRA
), esoteric anatomy, and
Ku
alin
yoga
. Central place is given to the transformation of desire (
k
ma
) to a spiritual end; the metaphor used is of removing a thorn by a thorn.
Tantras take the form of a dialogue between
iva
and the Goddess (
Dev