Editing Indian religions (section)

==== Tantra ====
{{Main|Tantra}}

Tantrism originated in the early centuries CE and developed into a fully articulated tradition by the end of the [[Gupta period]]. According to Michaels this was the "Golden Age of Hinduism"{{sfn|Michaels|2004|p=40-41}} (c. 320–650 CE{{sfn|Michaels|2004|p=40-41}}), which flourished during the Gupta Empire{{sfn|Michaels|2004|p=40}} (320 to 550 CE) until the fall of the [[Harsha]] Empire{{sfn|Michaels|2004|p=40}} (606 to 647 CE). During this period, power was centralised, along with a growth of far distance trade, standardizarion of legal procedures, and general spread of literacy.{{sfn|Michaels|2004|p=40}} Mahayana Buddhism flourished, but the orthodox Brahmana culture began to be rejuvenated by the patronage of the Gupta Dynasty.{{sfn|Nakamura|2004|p=687}} The position of the Brahmans was reinforced,{{sfn|Michaels|2004|p=40}} and the first Hindu temples emerged during the late Gupta age.{{sfn|Michaels|2004|p=40}}