The University of Nalanda c12.104

c12.104

To take up the query we had raised, to wit, why do not Hiuen Tsiang and I-Tsing refer to any of the Tāntric images and their forms of worship? Two answers suggest themselves. First, it appears that Tantrayāna, though it had been introduced into Buddhism since about the 5th century, had not yet become very popular, and specially its later developments—Vajrayāna and Kālacakrayāna—made their appearance only in about the 10th century A.D.³ And it was only with these yānas that a host of gods and goddesses made their appearance. Secondly, the Chinese travellers confined themselves only to the record of the purer forms of Buddhism and hence they did not like to mention the Tāntric images and their rites. May be that Tāntric rites, as they necessitated secrecy, were not brought to their notice.