tantra

Tantra is a genre of Buddhist texts and practices that form the basis of Vajrayana Buddhism. Indian Buddhist tantras were largely composed between the 7th and 11th centuries and emphasize ritual, mantra, visualization, and esoteric methods aimed at rapid awakening. Although many tantras are traditionally attributed to Shakyamuni Buddha and are regarded in Vajrayana as his most profound teachings, scholars regard them as later developments in Indian Buddhist history.