{"product_id":"tantra-across-the-buddhist-cosmopolis-richard-k-payne-9780195368482","title":"Tantra Across the Buddhist Cosmopolis","description":"\u003cem\u003eTantra Across the Buddhist Cosmopolis\u003c\/em\u003e examines key aspects of the tantric Buddhist movement from its beginnings in early medieval India to the present day. Across its centuries-long history, tantric Buddhism has spread throughout the global community of Buddhist practitioners and institutions--the Buddhist cosmopolis. Buddhist tantra is so diverse that no conclusive or comprehensive list of defining characteristics is possible. Despite this complexity, the movement is coherent and continuous. Richard K. Payne guides us through the problematic intellectual and cultural issues historically impeding academic study of the movement and its influence. Scholarly disagreements about defining Buddhist tantra are dissolved by realizing that its components--rituals, texts, teachings, art, architecture, and yogic practices--are tantric by context, use, and designation. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFocusing on different regions and eras allows close examination of specific aspects of tantric Buddhist history--a history obscured by sectarian conflicts, attempts at erasure, changes in state sponsorship, and marginalization and neglect. Considering this complicated story, \u003cem\u003eTantra Across the Buddhist Cosmopolis\u003c\/em\u003e argues for a three part claim: tantric Buddhism pervades Buddhist history, and while often rendered invisible, it nonetheless constitutes a coherent and continuous movement. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe intellectual understandings that ground religious studies are not neutral, not objective, and not ahistorical. They result from the history of religious studies in Europe and America. Payne demonstrates that the history and practice of tantric Buddhism complicates the academic field of religious studies. The result is an unparalleled overview of the tantric Buddhist tradition and its challenges to both popular and scholarly ideas about the nature of religion and its study.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Richard K. Payne\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0195368487\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780195368482\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Oxford University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 02\/10\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 306\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover","brand":"Richard K. Payne","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":47965698326783,"sku":"9780195368482","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_8aadeba6-9af9-4894-a6f3-410c75da7035.jpg?v=1767284187","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/tantra-across-the-buddhist-cosmopolis-richard-k-payne-9780195368482","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}