The function of the cakras in religious experience

Abstract

The cakra system is a very elaborate internal mandala that is transposed onto the physical body of a practitioner. The components of the cakra system form an elaborate paradigm within the body that correspond to and reflect different realities of the external environment. In the esoteric tradition one of the means by which a practitioner comes to identify oneself with a higher level of reality and achieve a non-dual state of consciousness is by visualizing and experiencing the internal cakra system. In this thesis the role of the cakra system as found in the Hevajratantra will be examined because without an internal experience of the cakra system it becomes difficult to understand the significance of the external ritual practice. In short this thesis will demonstrate how the cakra system is foundational for an inner spiritual experience and the development of a practitioner's spiritual growth.