Transgression, Censorship, and Interpretation
David B. Gray
October 19, 2023 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780197623831.003.0006 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that transgressive rhetoric in the tantras hindered their dissemination and translation by raising concerns, which translators addressed by mitigating the impact of transgressive passages and commentators by creatively explaining the content. Proposes that this rhetoric may have directly challenged Buddhist identity to facilitate its transformation in tantric contemplative practice, while also generating considerable resistance to tantric texts and traditions in premodern Asia and the contemporary world. |
Abstract
Abstract The fifth chapter focuses on transgressive rhetoric in the tantras, arguing that it created an obstacle to their dissemination and translation due to the concerns that this raised. It explores the ways in which this was addressed both by translators and by commentators. The former developed strategies to translate transgressive passages so as to mitigate their impact, while the latter developed creative strategies for explaining this content. This chapter suggests that this rhetoric may have been a direct challenge to Buddhist identity so as to facilitate its transformation in tantric contemplative practice. But it also created considerable resistance to the acceptance of tantric texts and practice traditions, in premodern Asia as well as the contemporary world.