(Padmavajra) / पद्मवज्र

<p>The book &ldquo;Padmavajra&rdquo; an important treatise based on the Buddhist Tantric tradition is primarily centred on the works of the Ācārya Padmavajra in the Vajrayāna (Tantrayāna) tradition especially his commentary titled Tantrāryāvatāra-ṭīkā.</p><p>Philosophical Significance<br/>This work presents both the Path of Knowledge (j&ntilde;āna-mārga) and the Path of Means (upāya-mārga) in Buddhist Tantra from a balanced perspective. It explains the dualities of emptiness (śūnyatā) and compassion (karuṇā) wisdom (praj&ntilde;ā) and skilful means (upāya) as well as equality (samatā) and discernment (viveka) in their non-dual (advaya) form.<br/>The discussion of Apabhraṃśa Buddhist literature in the book also makes it clear that Buddhist Tantric practice was not limited only to Sanskrit texts; rather it spread widely in vernacular languages as well.<br/>This work by Prof. Suniti Kumar Pathak connects the philosophical linguistic and practical dimensions of Indian Buddhist Tantric literature. Through a comparative study of Tibetan Sanskrit and Apabhraṃśa sources he has demonstrated that the tradition of Padmavajra represents a supreme example in Buddhist Tantric thought of the non-dual synthesis of Wisdom (Praj&ntilde;ā) and Compassion (Karuṇā).</p>