Thunder among the pines: defining a pan-Asian soma.
Journal of psychoactive drugs March 1, 2009 Frederick Dannaway 8 citations
Esoteric Buddhism in Japan preserved and incorporated ancient soma/amrita mushroom lore from the Vedic tradition, traced through Indian, Chinese, and Tibetan influences. The article argues that psycho-sexual drug yoga techniques, often cloaked in alchemical and metallurgical terms, reached sophisticated levels in these traditions. Gordon Wasson's identification of soma as the mushroom Amanita muscaria provides a key link. Despite numerous cultural filters, key components, practices, and symbolism of this plant-based ritualism were retained in Japan's mountain ascetic mysticism.