Femininity in Tantric Buddhism: A Study of Sanmatrananda’s Nastik Panditer Bhita

Abstract

Femininity is a part and parcel of various religious practices since time immemorial. Tantric Buddhism is one such religion that gives equal importance to its male and female practitioners. The honour and respect that women enjoyed in this religious sphere has been reflected in the content of the Bengali novel NastikPanditerBhita (2017) by Sanmatrananda. Apparently speaking, the book deals with the life of Atisa Dipankara , an eminent Buddhist scholar of eleventh century . In reality, this piece of indigenous literature sings the glory of female divinity in Tantric Buddhism. This book also celebrates the multifaceted role of a woman as a daughter, lover as well as a mother. The pivotal role of a woman as a mentor is also a part of this writing. This paper will try to dissect the novel historically. It will try to make an effort to discover the feminine essence of Tantric Buddhism. The paper will also find out the glory enjoyed by the female deities and the role of women in Tantric Buddhism. The study will be made from both historical and socio-religious points of views. This study is significant and relevant in today’s context to express a woman’s potentiality to shape a society and to make it free from all promiscuities.

Keywords

• divinity
• femininity
• socio-religious