Does RHP Tantra exist?

[ZenMaster]

I've been reading a bit about Tantra lately, and something's been bugging me. The book I picked up described Shaivites as the LHP (Left Hand Path) and Tantrics, while Vaishnavites were associated with the RHP (Right Hand Path). This has me wondering...is there such a thing as RHP Tantra? Or is the only RHP path becoming a Hindu priest? If RHP Tantra does exist, I'd really appreciate any book recommendations on the subject. I'm keen to learn more

 

[HoldAll]

Sure does, dakshinachara as opposed to vamachara, it's where the RHP/LHP dichotomy originated, after all.

Tantra is a knotty complex subject. You can forget all books with "sex" in the title,

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forms only a small part of vamachara but one many authors focus on because, well, sex sells. It seems to me that the main difference is not in the philosophy but in practices like the

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where tantric RHP followers replace those 'impure' taboo substances with socially acceptable ones.

I'm currently struggling with Gregory Shaw's "Hellenic Tantra" where he compare tantra with Neoplatonism, fascinating but a tough read. This one looks good though:

Book – PDF - Tantra for All: The Path of Nath Tantrika, by Denny Sargent

The word ‘Tantra’ has two important and specific meanings. One is ‘To Weave’, and the other is ‘A Sacred Book of Magick.’ What do we weave? It is our innermost self (our Atman or Higher Self), and the magickal world of Maya swirling about us. In short, we embrace and change reality as we do our...

wizardforums.com

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[ZenMaster]

It was you who started this thread

That's makes it within my authority to remove that thread. Even if you don't wish to remove the thread, please remove the line "I'd have given anything, even my own life, to see them pay for what they did". It's a really emotionally charged and personal statement that I shared without much thinking and I want it removed @Yazata

 

[Yazata]

I closed the thread and it will likely fade away. Other members made good posts in there relating to curses in general, so there's no need (or justification) to delete it. Your

personal statement

is only personal to you - no one on here will know who or what you are talking about as no one knows who you are. Don't worry and don't make a fuss
And to @HoldAll : I am sorry for going off topic in this reply, don't ban me please

 

[Pardhaan]

Hi ZenMaster,

First, understand that "Tantra" does not specifically mean magic, the occult, or anything related to fulfilling carnal desires—whether for spiritual or material benefits. For example, democracy in Hindi/Sanskrit is called "Praja-Tantra" or "Loka-Tantra."

The definition of Tantra is:
"तन्यते विस्तर्यते ज्ञानं मन्ने इति तन्त्रम्" (Tanyate vistaryate jñānam manne iti tantram), which means:
"That which spreads and expands knowledge is considered Tantra."
In simple terms, Tantra refers to a system or framework—which is why democracy is called the "people's system." Similarly, machines, mechanisms, or structured systems are also referred to as Tantra in Sanskrit.

Now, coming to your query: Vaishnavas do have Tantras. These include the Pañcarātra texts or Pañcarātra Āgamas. There are also texts like the Radha Tantra, Lakshmi Tantra, Dattatreya Tantra, and Narasimha Tantra. Now you can see that spiritual Tantra is essentially a structured system of practices centered on a deity or multiple deities.

n fact, the Harivamsha Purana mentions that Krishna imparted the knowledge of 64 Tantras to Rishi Durvasa.

Additionally, there are not just two paths (left-hand and right-hand), but multiple traditions, including:

• Vaidika Āchara
• Vaishnava Āchara
• Shaiva Āchara
• Vāmā Āchara
• Dakṣiṇa Āchara
• Siddhānta Āchara
• Kaula Āchara
• China Āchara
• And many more.

You can look up English translations of the Pañcarātra texts if you're interested in exploring further.

Regards.

 

[ZenMaster]

"I'd have given anything, even my own life, to see them pay for what they did"

Just backspace that statement. I would have done it myself but it timed out before I could @SkullTraill @HoldAll @Yazata

Post automatically merged: Feb 8, 2025

First, understand that "Tantra" does not specifically mean magic, the occult, or anything related to fulfilling carnal desires—whether for spiritual or material benefits. For example, democracy in Hindi/Sanskrit is called "Praja-Tantra" or "Loka-Tantra."

Thanks. I never conflated it with magic. Felt much different. I liked its Sanskrit translation of meaning 'method'

 

[Pardhaan]

Just backspace that statement. I would have done it myself but it timed out before I could @SkullTraill @HoldAll @Yazata

Post automatically merged: Feb 8, 2025

Thanks. I never conflated it with magic. Felt much different. I liked its Sanskrit translation of meaning 'method'

I was just trying to clear up the confusion around Tantra because, in the West, it’s mostly associated with sex, maithuna or black magic. But Tantra is so much more than that, it's a whole system, just wanted to shed some light on that.