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Vāmācāra (Sanskrit: वामाचार, Sanskrit pronunciation: [ʋaːmaːtɕaːɽɐ]) is a tantric term meaning "left-hand path" and is synonymous with the Sanskrit term vāmamārga.[1][2] It is used to describe a particular mode of worship or sadhana (spiritual practice) that uses heterodox things to sublimate for spiritual growth.
These practices are often generally considered to be tantric in orientation. The converse term is dakṣiṇācāra "right-hand path", which is used to refer not only to orthodox sects but to modes of spirituality that engage in spiritual practices that accord with Vedic injunction and are generally agreeable to the status quo.
Left-handed and right-handed modes of practice may be evident in both orthodox and heterodox practices of Indian religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism and are a matter of taste, culture, proclivity, initiation, sadhana and lineage (parampara).
- ^ Bhattacharyya (1999), pp. 81, 447.
- ^ Saraswati (2010).