Tantra is a vast body of esoteric teachings, practices, and sacred texts that emerged from the 5th–12th century CE as a distinctive strand within Hinduism (and Buddhism). Rather than transcending the world, Tantra typically uses the body, the senses, ritual action, and sacred sexuality (in some traditions) as vehicles for liberation. Core tantric practices include: mantra (sacred sound), yantra (sacred geometry), puja (ritual worship), kundalini yoga (awakening subtle energy), and specific meditations on deity forms. Tantra is categorized as left-hand (Vama Marga — transgressive practices) and right-hand (Dakshina Marga — conventional worship). Many mainstream Hindu practices incorporate tantric elements — daily puja, the use of yantras, and the chanting of bija mantras all have tantric origins.