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Sādhana

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Sādhana (Skt., √sādh, ‘complete’). The spiritual practice of Hindu and Buddhist Tantrism; a path to liberation (mokṣa) and power (siddhi/iddhi) distinct from orthodox Vedic practice, which aims to unite the male–female polarity within the body, or to merge the individual self (jivātman) with the highest self (paramātman). Tantric sādhana consists of worship (pūjā) and yoga. The term has also been linked to God-devoted practices, not much more austere or ascetic than self-denial and voluntary suffering.

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JOHN BOWKER. "Sādhana." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Sādhana." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Sdhana.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Sādhana." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Sdhana.html

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sādhana

A Dictionary of Buddhism | 2004 | | Copyright

sādhana (Skt.). A key form of tantric meditation through which a practitioner aims to achieve union or identity with a particular divine being through a process of visualization and subsequent dissolution of subject and object into emptiness (śūnyatā). Each practice is based on one of the countless descriptive and liturgical texts that have been composed through the ages. Though chiefly associated with tantric Buddhism in Tibet, similar texts and their practices are also known in China and Japan.

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DAMIEN KEOWN. "sādhana." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAMIEN KEOWN. "sādhana." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-sdhana.html

DAMIEN KEOWN. "sādhana." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-sdhana.html

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