The Sacred Feminine in Buddhist Philosophy

The expression of the great feminine has been found in the art, mythologies and spiritual practices of many cultures and spiritual traditions around the world. It is often represented in the form of female deities and goddesses who are revered for their creative and nurturing power. In Buddhist philosophy, there are many forms of the sacred feminine. The most well-known is Tara.

She is considered to be the mother of all Buddhas – a deity of love, compassion, nurturance, and longevity. If we consider what it means to be the mother of all the Buddhas, the awakened ones, on a symbolic level, we quickly perceive that the awakened state is understood to emerge out of the generative power of the great feminine in Buddhist philosophy. The import of this vision cannot be overstated. It means that the immense wisdom and teachings relative to the evolution of consciousness in the Buddhist tradition is generated and mediated by the power of the great feminine. This is a tradition that has cultivated and elucidated many aspects of this knowledge for thousands of years.

We have much to learn about this power by exploring the emerge in this tradition. We will not only explore all of the different manifestations and meanings of the different expressions of Tara, but we will also explore the nature of Prajnaparamita. Prajnaparamita personi emptiness and wisdom and is often referred to as ‘the Great Mother’. We will also discover other aspects of the sacred feminine within Buddhist practice, including the teachings of Vajrayogini, a tantric deity known for her capacities to transmute passions into enlightened virtues and ordinary manifestations into a higher spiritual path.

This webinar will focus on the aspects of Buddhist philosophy that are mediated by the Sacred Feminine:

• Compassion through Tara
• Wisdom through Prajnaparamita
• Transformation through Vajrayogini

Course Description:

Week 1 – Tara

We will look at the origins of Tara and the roles she plays in liberation. The lecture will focus on:

• Tara as the embodiment of compassion
• Tara as saviouress
• Tara as engaged liberative activity
• Focus of meditation: Guided meditation with Tara, focusing on particular issue of personal difficulty

Duration: 90 mins

Week 2 – Prajnaparamita

We will look at the nature and experience of Prajnaparamita. The lecture will focus on:

• The nature of Prajnaparamita
• What is emptiness
• Wisdom
• Focus of meditation: Spaciousness and stillness

Duration: 90 mins

Week 3 – Vajrayogini

We will look at the origins of Vajrayogini as a

• Tantra
• The role of transformation within tantra
• The transmutation of obstacles into wisdom

Duration: 90 mins

See Bob Thurman's talk at SAND 2018: