bill: > The designation Dakini is also found in Hindu > tradition... > Maybe so, but the term 'dakini' is a Tibetan Buddhist designation. A dakini pertains to the 'Wisdom' aspect of Buddhadharma, which ontologicaly is *passive* in nature. From what I've read, there are no passive aspects to any Hindu female deities. Dakini in Tibetan Buddhism is the *active*, feminine embodiment of enlightenment.
> but here it is applied only to very minor goddesses, > resembling more what we would call witches in our > Western tradition. They appear as wild female spirits > in the retinue accompanying the great goddess Durga. > In Hinduism, the female aspect of the Godhead is termed 'shakti', and pertains to the *dynamic* aspect of the cosmos. Note: Apparently the Hindus were often observed overhearing the Buddhist Tantric secrets at yoga camp meetings, and in their confusion, turned the whole cosmic metaphysic upside-down, making the shakti to be active and the Purusha to be passive; and mistaking the esoteric seed-sound 'hum' and thinking it was 'om'. Go figure.
