Author: Cyrus Stearns
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 318
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8120819365
Description
The Buddha from Dolpo examines the life and thought of the Tibetan Buddhist master, Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen (1292-1361). Known as The Buddha from Dolpo, he was one of the most important and original thinkers in Tibetan history, and perhaps the greatest expert on the tantric teachings of the Kalacakra or wheel of Time. Based largely upon esoteric Buddhist knowledge believed to be preserved in the legendary land of Shambhala, Dolpopa’s theories continue to excite controversy in Tibetan Buddhism after almost 700 years.
Dolpopa emphasized two contrasting definitions of the Buddhist teachings of emptiness: emptiness of self-nature, which applies only to the level of relative truth, and emptiness of other, which applies only to the level of absolute truth. Dolpopa identified ultimate reality as the Buddha-nature inherent in all living beings. This view of an emptiness of other, known in Tibetan as Zhentong, is Dolpopa’s main spiritual legacy.
This book contains the first translations into any language of major works by Dolpopa. A General Commentary on the Doctrine is one of the earliest texts in which he systematically presented his view of the entire Buddhist path to enlightenment. The Fourth Council, written at the end of his life may be viewed as a final summation of his ideas.
Cyrus Stearns’s book describes both Dolpopa’s life and his ideas. Earlier Tibetan precedents for the Zhentong view are also discussed, as well as Dolpopa’s own unique use of language and the major influences on the development of his controversial theories. The fate of his tradition, which was censured by the Tibetan government in the seventeenth century, is examined, and several of the most important adherents of the Zhentong theory are also discussed.
Contents
Preface and Acknowledgments
Introduction
PART ONE: THE LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF THE OMNISCIENT DOLPOPA
CHAPTER ONE
The Life of the Buddha from Dolpo
Childhood and Early Education
Studies at the Great Monastery of Sakya
The Move to Jonang
Raising Mt Meru and Revealing the Zhentong View
The Initial Reception of the Zhentong Teachings
The New Jonang Translation of the Kalacakra Tantra and the Vimalaprabha
Years of Retreat and Teaching
Invitation to China by the Yuan Emperor Toghon Temur
Changes in the Jonang Leadership and the Beginning of the Journey to Lhasa
Teachings in Central Tibet and the Return to Tsang
The Aborted Meeting with Budon Rinchen Drup
The Last Months at Jonang
CHAPTER TWO
A Historical Survey of the Zhentong Tradition in Tibet
The Zhentong Tradition in Tibet before Dolpopa
Dolpopa and the Zhentong View
The Zhentong Tradition after Dolpopa
CHAPTER THREE
The Doctrine of the Buddha from Dolpo
Emptiness of Self-Nature and Emptiness of Other
A Redefinition of Cittamatra and Madhyamaka
Two Approaches to Enlightenment
PART TWO: TEXTS IN TRANSLATION
Introduction to the Translation of A General Commentary on the Doctrine
The Supplications Entitled A General Commentary on the Doctrine
Introduction to the Translation of The Fourth Council
The Great Calculation of the Doctrine Which Has the Significance of a Fourth Council
Notes
Bibliography
Index