TANTRA

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does Tantra mean? 

• TANTRA (noun)
  The noun TANTRA has 2 senses:

1. any of a fairly recent class of Hindu or Buddhist religious literature concerned with ritual acts of body and speech and mind

2. doctrine of enlightenment as the realization of the oneness of one's self and the visible world; combines elements of Hinduism and paganism including magical and mystical elements like mantras and mudras and erotic rites; especially influential in Tibet

  Familiarity information: TANTRA used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TANTRA (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Any of a fairly recent class of Hindu or Buddhist religious literature concerned with ritual acts of body and speech and mind

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("tantra" is a kind of...):

Sanskrit literature (Hindu literature written in Sanskrit)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Doctrine of enlightenment as the realization of the oneness of one's self and the visible world; combines elements of Hinduism and paganism including magical and mystical elements like mantras and mudras and erotic rites; especially influential in Tibet

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

Tantra; Tantrism

Hypernyms ("Tantra" is a kind of...):

Buddhism (the teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth)