Hindus have criticized actress Heather Graham and other “Hollywood types” who apparently think of Tantra as just sex.

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Tantrism was a major channel in Indian religious traditions and besides Hinduism, it also exerted considerable influence on Buddhism and Jainism. Sankaracharya had mentioned the names of 64 Tantras.

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that Tantra, a method of spiritual self-culture, was divine revelation whose history went back to fourth century. Tantra was a conscious approach to self-discovery which directed the seeker to prepare mind and body to the level where it could withstand any turbulence, both inner as well as outer. Tantras noted three unique states of sadhana (spiritual endeavor)—purification, illumination, and unification.

Rajan Zed further said Hindus welcomed Hollywood bigwigs to immerse in Hinduism but taking it seriously and not just flirting with its terminology and concepts and using it as a fashion statement. Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken lightly.

Graham and other Hollywood celebrities needed to have more patience and go beyond the superficial because Hinduism concepts evolved over thousands of years and needed serious study, Rajan Zed added.

MTV Award winner 39 years old Heather Joan Graham (Boogie Nights), who reportedly claimed to be spiritual and practiced yoga and daily meditation and ventured into tantric sexual healing, plays Jade in “The Hangover’ (Todd Phillips), a comedy set in Las Vegas, released in USA on June five. -Sampurn Media