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Yantra
Yantra (Skt., ‘instrument for supporting’). A geometrical design representing the cosmos used in Hindu liturgy (pūjā) and meditation (dhyāna), especially in Tantrism. Though akin to maṇḍala, yantra differs in that it can be a three-dimensional object of worship made of stone or metal plates. Like maṇḍala, the yantra is a symbol of cosmogonic development from the absolute in the centre to the material world at the outer edges, and like maṇḍala is the visual equivalent of mantra. Yantras often have a seed (bīja) mantra inscribed upon them. In Tantric pūjā, the yantra, if made of stone or metal, is invested with power and meditated upon as the deity. The most famous yantra is the Śrīyantra.
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JOHN BOWKER. "Yantra." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Yantra." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Yantra.html JOHN BOWKER. "Yantra." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Yantra.html |
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yantra
yantra (Skt.).
1. Diagrams composed of interlocking geometrical shapes, most typically triangles, used as symbols of various aspects of the divine. They are not used in earlier Buddhist practice but are common in south-east Asian esoteric Buddhist traditions. They are used for magical purposes throughout the Buddhist world. 2. General term for a machine or mechanical device. |
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DAMIEN KEOWN. "yantra." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAMIEN KEOWN. "yantra." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-yantra.html DAMIEN KEOWN. "yantra." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-yantra.html |
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Yantra
YantraHindu mystical diagram, often inscribed on copper. Divine energy is invoked into the yantra by special prayers. The yantra is clearly a precursor of the magic diagrams of Western occult-ists, although in India it was used in a religious rather than an occult context. |
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"Yantra." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Yantra." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3403804912.html "Yantra." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. 2001. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3403804912.html |
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yantra
yantra
•jarrah, para, Tara
•abracadabra, Aldabra
•Alhambra • Vanbrugh
•Cassandra, Sandra
•Aphra, Biafra
•Niagara, pellagra, Viagra
•bhangra, Ingres
•Capra • Cleopatra
•mantra, tantra, yantra
•Basra
•Asmara, Bukhara, carbonara, Carrara, cascara, Connemara, Damara, Ferrara, Gemara, Guadalajara, Guevara, Honiara, Lara, marinara, mascara, Nara, Sahara, Samara, samsara, samskara, shikara, Tamara, tiara, Varah, Zara
•candelabra, macabre, sabra
•Alexandra • Agra • fiacre
•Chartres, Montmartre, Sartre, Sinatra, Sumatra
•Shastra • Maharashtra • Le Havre
•gurdwara
•Berra, error, Ferrer, sierra, terror
•zebra • ephedra • Porto Alegre
•belles-lettres, Petra, raison d'être, tetra
•Electra, plectra, spectra
•Clytemnestra • extra
•chèvre, Sèvres
•Ezra
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Cite this article
"yantra." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "yantra." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-yantra.html "yantra." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-yantra.html |
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