The Gathering of Intentions reads a single Tibetan Buddhist ritual
system through the movements of Tibetan history, revealing the social
and material dimensions of an ostensibly timeless tradition. By
subjecting tantric practice to historical analysis, the book offers new
insight into the origins of Tibetan Buddhism, the formation of its
canons, the emergence of new lineages and ceremonies, and modern efforts
to revitalize the religion by returning to its mythic origins.
The ritual system explored in this volume is based on the Gathering of
Intentions Sutra, the fundamental "root tantra" of the Anuyoga class of
teachings belonging to the Nyingma ("Ancient") school of Tibetan
Buddhism. Proceeding chronologically from the ninth century to the
present, each chapter features a Tibetan author negotiating a perceived
gap between the original root text--the Gathering of Intentions--and
the lived religious or political concerns of his day. These ongoing
tensions underscore the significance of Tibet's elaborate esoteric
ritual systems, which have persisted for centuries, evolving in response
to historical conditions. Rather than overlook practice in favor of
philosophical concerns, this volume prioritizes Tibetan Buddhism's
ritual systems for a richer portrait of the tradition.