An Introduction to Tantric Buddhism c11.2

c11.2

In the previous chapters we have tried to give an exposition of the theories and practices of the Tāntric Buddhists. The *rationale* of the sexo-yogic practice of the Tāntric Buddhists is to be found in what has been described and discussed above. We do not think that any further argument is necessary in defence. But it seems that, because of the unconventional nature of their practices, these Tāntric Buddhists were sometimes over-conscious about the justifiability of their practices and advanced various arguments in defence of these practices. It will, therefore, not be without interest to state and examine the main arguments of these Tāntrikas as we find them in the various Tantras. These arguments, as is the case with their other arguments, are not found in the texts in a systematised form, they are rather to be culled from the texts. But two works are found mainly, though not entirely, devoted to offering something like a philosophical explanation of these practices; the first is the *Citta-viśuddhi-prakaraṇa* of Āryadeva and the second is the *Tattva-siddhi* of Śānta-rakṣita.¹