Examines Dakini, the feminine principle in Tibetan Buddhism, distinguishing it from similar forms in Hinduism, and discusses traditional lore and Dakini's role as a protector and aide in the transfer of religious knowledge Illustrations ix Preface xi Acknowledgments xxiii Introduction Encountering the Dakini 1(3) Missed Opportunities, Skewed Interpretations 4(4) The Dakini as Symbol in Tibetan Buddhism 8(3) Gender, Subjectivity, and the Feminine Principle 11(32) Jungian Interpretations of the Dakini: ``Fantasy of Opposites'' 11(6) Feminist Interpretations of the Dakini: Problems and Promise 17(8) The Complexity of Religious Symbols: Spiritual Subjectivity 25(8) Gender in Traditional Tibet 33(6) Symbolism and Subjectivity: The Feminine Principle 39(4) The Dakini in Tibetan Buddhism 43(38) Dakini Development in India 45(6) The Meaning of the Dakini in Tibetan Buddhism 51(2) General Classifications of Dakinis 53(12) The Three Bodies of Englightened Dakinis 65(4) Four Aspects of Dakini: Outer-Outer, Outer, Inner, and Secret 69(10) Conclusion 79(2) The Secret Dakini: The Great Mother 81(35) The Great Mother Prajnaparamita 84(5) Vajrayana Transformation: Great Queen Prajnaparamita 89(5) Evoking the Secret Dakini: Practicing the Guru's Instructions 94(2) Vajrayana Meditation Practice: Creation and Completion 96(2) The Mother as Birth-Giver: Symbols Arising from Space 98(8) Aniconic Representations of the Mother 106(4) Iconographic Depictions of the Great Mother 110(2) How Is the Mother Feminine? 112(4) The Inner Dakini: The Visionary Queen 116(45) Mandala Principle 117(4) The Charnel Ground 121(6) The Dakini in the Charnel Ground 127(5) Coemergence, Heat, and the Charnel Ground 132(5) Vajrayogini, the Coemergent Mother 137(7) Alternate Forms of Vajrayogini 144(3) Is Vajrayogini a Goddess? 147(6) The Mandala of the Heruka and Dakini: Cakrasamvara and Vajrayogini 153(5) Yab-Yum and Subjectivity 158(3) The Outer Dakini: The Subtle Body of Bliss 161(21) Tantra and Embodiment 162(6) The Subtle Body in Tibetan Buddhism 168(4) Dakinis and the Sacred Landscape of the Subtle Body 172(4) Feminine, Masculine, and the Subtle Body 176(3) The Dakini as the Symbol of Subtle-Body Yoga 179(1) Conclusion 180(2) The Outer-Outer Dakini: The Dakini in Human Form 182(52) Symbol and Actuality: Human Dakinis 186(1) Types of Human Dakinis 187(2) Physical Signs of the Dakini 189(5) Female Tantric Gurus 194(5) The Dakini as Mother, Sister, or Maid 199(3) Embodied Dakini as the Practice and the Realization 202(2) Every Woman Is Part of the Dakini 204(4) Prajna, Upaya, Women, and Men 208(3) Desire and Sexuality in Buddhist Tantra 211(5) Sexual Yoga and the Dakini 216(7) Types of Consorts 223(8) Milarepa and Karmamudra 231(3) Living Encounters with the Dakini 234(31) Dakini as Messenger and Intermediary 235(5) Determining the Dakini's Identity 240(2) Timing and Quality of Encounters 242(4) Transmission as the Blessing of the Dakini's Body 246(7) Dakini Activities: Devouring and Feeding 253(6) Gender Differences: Yogini Encounters with the Dakini 259(6) Protectors of the Tantric Teachings 265(21) Auspicious Coincidence and Uddiyana 267(3) Symbols Hidden and Revealed 270(6) The Wisdom Dakini Protector Ekajati 276(3) On Behalf of the Tradition: Founders of New Lineages of Teaching 279(7) Conclusion Dakini's Warm Breath: Quintessence of a Tantric Symbol 286(7) Notes 293(70) Select Bibliography 363(22) Tibetan Transliterations and Sanskrit Equivalents 385(8) Credits 393(2) Index 395