Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

CHAPTER V CHINACHARA (V ASHISHTHA AND BUDDHA)

[' has been the subject of debate whether the Tantrik

Panchatattva ritual with wine and so forth is a product of Buddhism, and whether it is opposed to Vaidika Dharma. Some have supposed that these rites originally came from yellow Asia, penetrated into India where they received its impress, and again made their way to the north to encounter earlier original forms. I have elsewhere put forward some facts which suggest that these rites may be a continuance, though in another form, of ancient Vaidik usage in which Soma, Meat, Fish and Purodasha formed a part. Though there are some Maithuna ritesin the Vedas it is possible that the Shakta ritual in this respect has its origin in Chinachara. Possibly the whole ritual comes therefrom. The matter is so obscure at present that any definite affirmation as to historical origins lacks justification. Most important however in the alleged Buddhist connection is the story of Vashishtha to be found in the Tantras. He is said to have gone io Mahachina (Tibet), which, according to popular belief, is half way to heaven. Mah&adeva is said to be visible at the bottom of the Manasarova Lake near Kailfsa. Some of the Texts bearing on it have been collected in the Appendix to the edition of the Tara Tantra which has been published by the Varendra Anusandhfana Samiti. The Tar& Tantra opens (I—2) with the following question of Dev? Tara or Mah&nila-Sarasvati. “Thou didst speak of the two

Kula-bhairavas, Buddha and Vashishtha. Tell me by 104