“Empty Iridescent Spheres. Notes on the Metaphysics of Light in Indian and Tibetan Buddhist Tantric Sources”

During the XI and XII cent. a new esoteric religious literature emerged in Tibet where it is possible to observe a development of yogic practices and ideas that considered light as an essential principle. In these traditions we can observe an evolving model of visionary yoga. Gradually, a metaphysics of light took form that strongly characterized the yogic theory and praxis. Through a comparative analysis I will highlight the religious dialogue that emerged at the beginning of the Renaissance period in Tibet. Although it is difficult to trace the direct influences and contacts between the Kālacakra yogins, the Rnying ma early exponents and the later Bon Rdzogs chen authors, there is evidence that many ideas, lexicon, yoga techniques and interpretations were circulating among them in a fluid way, suggesting an intense interaction that created nets of influences during a period of Tibetan history that preceded the later organization and consolidation of the monastic systems.