''Dakṣiṇācāra'' is a
tantric term meaning 'right-hand path'. It is used to describe
tantric sects that do not engage in heterodox practices. In contrast, ''
vamachara
''Vāmācāra'' (, ) 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 uses heterodox things to subl ...
'' ('left-hand path') is used to describe particular tantric practices that are considered heterodox.
Etymology
N. N. Bhattacharyya explains the Sanskrit technical term ''
'' as follows:
The 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''.
''
'' means 'right'. For this reason, the term ''dakṣiṇāra'' is often translated "right-hand path".
Practices
The ''Brahma Yamala'', a tantric text, says there are three currents of tradition (''dakshina'', ''vama'', and ''madhyama'') characterized respectively by the predominance of each of the three ''
guna
Guna may refer to:
People
* Guna people, Indigenous peoples of Panama and Colombia
Philosophy
* Guṇa, a Hindu philosophical concept
* Guṇa (Jainism), a philosophical concept
Places
* Guna district, in Madhya Pradesh, India
** Guna, Indi ...
s'' (''sattva'', ''rajas'', and ''tamas''). According to this text, ''dakshina'' is characterized by ''
sattva
''Sattva'' (Sanskrit: सत्त्व, meaning ''goodness'') is one of the three '' guṇas'' or "modes of existence" (tendencies, qualities, attributes), a philosophical and psychological concept understood by the Samkhya school of Hindu philo ...
'', and is pure; ''madhyama'', characterized by ''
rajas
''Rajas'' (Sanskrit: रजस्) is one of the three '' guṇas'' (tendencies, qualities, attributes), a philosophical and psychological concept developed by the Samkhya school of Hindu philosophy.James G. Lochtefeld, Rajas, in The Illustrated ...
'', is mixed; and ''vama'', characterized by ''
tamas'', is impure. The tantras of each class follow a particular line of spiritual practice. ''Dakshinachara'' consists of traditional Hindu practices such as
asceticism
Asceticism is a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from worldly pleasures through self-discipline, self-imposed poverty, and simple living, often for the purpose of pursuing Spirituality, spiritual goals. Ascetics may withdraw from the world ...
and
meditation
Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique to train attention and awareness and detach from reflexive, "discursive thinking", achieving a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state, while not judging the meditat ...
.
See also
*
*
*
Notes
References
*
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Hindu philosophical concepts
Hindu tantra
Tantric practices
{{Hindu-philo-stub