Dakini's Warm Breath: The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism

(Paperback)

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The primary emblem of the feminine in Tibetan Buddhism is the dakini, a semi-wrathful spirit-woman who manifests in visions, dreams and meditation experiences. According to Simmer-Brown, in the spiritual journey of the meditator, the dakini symbolises levels of personal realization: the sacredness of the body, both female and male; the profound meeting point of body and mind in meditation; the visionary realm of rural practice; and the empty, spacious qualities of mind itself. This work is a comprehensive inquiry into the symbolism of the most powerful deity in Tibetan Buddhism.

Reviews

"A comprehensive, scholarly, and intriguing study of 'dakini,' the feminine principle of Tibetan Buddhism. A landmark study."Library Journal



"Simmer-Brown has written what is destined to be a classic among vajrayana practitioners, Buddhists of other schools, and readers interested in Buddhism."Shambhala Sun



"Dakini's Warm Breath is not only readable, but exhilaratingly lucid."Tricycle: The Buddhist Review



"A scholarly and fascinating exploration into the feminine principle in Tibetan Buddhism."Bodhi Tree Book Review

"A book-length discussion of dakinis, who are one of the most elusive aspects of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, is a welcome edition to the growing literature on symbols of the feminine in Buddhism. Simmer-Brown skillfully interweaves traditional stories with commentaries by contemporary Buddhist teachers to provide the most complete discussion of this topic to date."Rita Gross, author of Buddhism after Patriarchy and Soaring and Settling: Buddhist Perspectives on Contemporary Social and Religious Issues

Author Bio

Judith Simmer-Brown, Ph.D., is professor and chair of the religious studies department at Naropa University (formerly the Naropa Institute), where she has taught since 1978. She has authored numerous articles on Tibetan Buddhism, Buddhist-Christian dialogue, and Buddhism in America. She is an Acharya (senior teacher) in the lineage of Ch gyam Trungpa. A practicing Buddhist since 1971, she lives in Boulder, Colorado.