Concept

Vamachara

Résumé
Vāmācāra (वामाचार, ʋaːmaːtɕaːɽɐ) is a tantric term meaning "left-hand path" and is synonymous with the Sanskrit term vāmamārga. It is used to describe a particular mode of worship or sadhana (spiritual practice) that is not only heterodox (Sanskrit: nāstika) to standard Vedic injunction, but extreme in comparison to the status quo. These practices are often generally considered to be tantric in orientation. The converse term is dakṣiṇācāra "right-hand path", which is used to refer not only to orthodox (Āstika) sects but to modes of spirituality that engage in spiritual practices that accord with Vedic injunction and are generally agreeable to the status quo. Left-handed and right-handed modes of practice may be evident in both orthodox and heterodox practices of Indian religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism and are a matter of taste, culture, proclivity, initiation, sadhana and lineage (parampara). N. N. Bhattacharyya explains the Sanskrit technical term as follows: [t]he means of spiritual attainment which varies from person to person according to competence.... Ācāras are generally of seven kinds -- Veda, Vaiṣṇava, Śaiva, Dakṣiṇa, Vāma, Siddhāṇta, and Kaula, falling into two broad categories -- Dakṣiṇa and Vāma. Interpretations vary regarding the nature and grouping of the ācāras. It is generally held that those who participate in the rituals of Five Ms belong to the category of Vāmācāra. means "pleasant, lovable, agreeable" and means "south". Facing the rising sun towards east, would be the right side. For this reason, the term vāmācāra is often translated "left-hand path", while dakṣiṇamārga is translated as "right-hand path". An alternate etymology is that it is possible that the first word of the expression vāmācāra is not vāma or 'left', but vāmā or 'woman'. N. N. Bhattacharyya notes that a main feature of the tantras is respect for the status of women as a representation of Adi Shakti, and that if this was the original conception underlying vāmācāra, the opposing term dakṣiṇācara may have been a later development.
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