Difference between revisions of "The Kalachakra was transmitted from India into Tibet"
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| − | The Kalachakra was transmitted from India into Tibet via a number of different guru lineages from the 11th through the 14th century. As mentioned previously, two of the most important lineages are styled the | + | The [[Kalachakra]] was transmitted from [[India]] into [[Tibet]] via a number of different [[guru]] [[lineages]] from the 11th through the 14th century. As mentioned previously, two of the most important [[lineages]] are styled the “[[Rwa tradition]]” and the “’[[Bro tradition]].” |
| − | According to Bu ston, the translator Rwa Chos rab traveled to central Nepal (probably Patan) where he studied under the pandit Samantashri for five years, ten months, and five days. Having mastered all the Kalachakra doctrines, Chos rab invited his guru to Tibet where together they continued the work of translating the various texts and disseminating the teachings. The Rwa tradition continued in Tibet through Rwa Chos rab’s son and grandson. | + | According to [[Bu ston]], the [[translator]] [[Rwa]] [[Chos]] rab traveled to central [[Nepal]] (probably [[Patan]]) where he studied under the [[pandit]] [[Samantashri]] for five years, ten months, and five days. Having mastered all the [[Kalachakra]] [[doctrines]], [[Chos]] rab invited his [[guru]] to [[Tibet]] where together they continued the work of translating the various texts and disseminating the teachings. The [[Rwa tradition]] continued [[in Tibet]] through [[Rwa]] [[Chos]] rab’s son and grandson. |
| − | The | + | The ’[[Bro tradition]] originated from the visit of the [[Kashmiri pandit]] [[Somanatha]] to [[Tibet]]. Together with ’Bro [[Shes rab grags]], [[Somanatha]] translated the [[Vimalaprabha]] into [[Tibetan]] and established this important [[teaching]] and [[practice lineage]]. By the middle of the 14th century the Sri [[Kalacakra]] had been translated into [[Tibetan]] fifteen or sixteen times; the [[Vimalaprabha]] more than ten. This is really remarkable given the size and complexity of these texts. No other [[Buddhist text]] received a comparable amount of [[attention]] from the great [[Tibetan]] [[translators]]. |
| − | The Rwa and ’Bro lineages continued through successions of teachers and eventually flowed together. One particularly noteworthy name from this period is that of Bu ston Rin chen grub (1290- 1364). Bu ston is perhaps best known for his part in the editing of the Tibetan canon, but later lamas especially praised him for his key role in the preservation of all of the different types of tantra exposition and practice. | + | The [[Rwa]] and ’Bro [[lineages]] continued through successions of [[teachers]] and eventually flowed together. One particularly noteworthy [[name]] from this period is that of [[Bu ston Rin chen grub]] (1290- 1364). [[Bu ston]] is perhaps best known for his part in the editing of the [[Tibetan canon]], but later [[lamas]] especially praised him for his key role in the preservation of all of the different types of [[tantra]] [[exposition]] and practice. |
| − | Bu ston made a close study of the Kalachakra; he produced a revised, annotated edition of the canonical translations of the Sri Kalacakra and the Vimalaprabha. He also wrote a number of important monographs on special topics in the Kalachakra. | + | [[Bu ston]] made a close study of the [[Kalachakra]]; he produced a revised, annotated edition of the [[Wikipedia:canonical|canonical]] translations of the Sri [[Kalacakra]] and the [[Vimalaprabha]]. He also wrote a number of important {{Wiki|monographs}} on special topics in the [[Kalachakra]]. |
| − | rje Tsong kha pa bLo bzang grags pa (1357-1419), founder of the dGe lug pa school, studied the Kalachakra under a disciple of Bu ston. Tsong kha pa in turn transmitted it to his disciple mKhas grub dGe legs dpal bzang (1385-1438). mKhas grub mastered the entire Kalachakra system and composed a commentary on the Vimalaprabha that is enormous even by Tibetan literary standards. Entitled The Illuminator of Reality (De kho na nyid snang bar byed pa), it occupies three large volumes in his collected works. | + | rje [[Tsong kha pa]] [[bLo bzang grags pa]] (1357-1419), founder of the dGe [[lug pa]] school, studied the [[Kalachakra]] under a [[disciple]] of [[Bu ston]]. [[Tsong kha pa]] in turn transmitted it to his [[disciple]] [[mKhas grub dGe legs dpal bzang]] (1385-1438). [[mKhas grub]] mastered the entire [[Kalachakra system]] and composed a commentary on the [[Vimalaprabha]] that is enormous even by [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|literary}} standards. Entitled The Illuminator of [[Reality]] ([[De kho na nyid]] [[snang]] bar [[byed pa]]), it occupies three large volumes in his collected works. |
| − | The dGe lug pa school maintained the study and practice of the Kalachakra over the centuries. The Panchen Lamas of the Tashilhunpo monastery in gTsang were especially active in the practice of the Kalachakra. At Tashilhunpo there was a special school devoted to the Kalachakra (Dus ’khor grwa tshang). | + | The dGe [[lug pa]] school maintained the study and practice of the [[Kalachakra]] over the centuries. The [[Panchen Lamas]] of the [[Tashilhunpo monastery]] in [[gTsang]] were especially active in the practice of the [[Kalachakra]]. At [[Tashilhunpo]] there was a special school devoted to the [[Kalachakra]] ([[Dus ’khor]] [[grwa tshang]]). |
| − | The third Panchen Lama, bLo bzang dpal ldan ye shes (1738- 1780), composed a prayer in which he expressed the wish to be born in Shambhala during the reign of Kalki Raudra Chakri.28 He also wrote a book that came to be known as the Guidebook to Shambhala (Sambha la’i lamyigf- ' In addition to a more general account of Asian history and geography, the book describes the route to Shambhala and the means by which a person can travel there. This portion of the book is based, to a great extent, on another “guidebook” translated from Sanskrit, the Kalapavatara, (Entrance to Kalapa), the capital of Shambhala; Peking *5908). | + | The third [[Panchen Lama]], bLo bzang [[dpal ldan ye shes]] (1738- 1780), composed a [[prayer]] in which he expressed the wish to be born in [[Shambhala]] during the reign of [[Kalki]] [[Raudra]] Chakri.28 He also wrote a [[book]] that came to be known as the [[Guidebook to Shambhala]] (Sambha la’i lamyigf- ' In addition to a more general account of {{Wiki|Asian}} history and {{Wiki|geography}}, the [[book]] describes the route to [[Shambhala]] and the means by which a [[person]] can travel there. This portion of the [[book]] is based, to a great extent, on another “guidebook” translated from [[Sanskrit]], the [[Kalapavatara]], (Entrance to [[Kalapa]]), the [[capital of Shambhala]]; {{Wiki|Peking}} *5908). |
| − | rGyal ba ’Jam dpal rgya mtsho, the 8th Dalai Lama (1758-1805), introduced the Kalachakra into his personal monastery, the rNam rgyal grwa tshang. From that time to the present, the rNam rgyal grwa tshang has continued the study and practice of the Kalachakra, including the full complement of the intricate Kalachakra rituals. | + | rGyal ba [[’Jam dpal]] [[rgya mtsho]], the [[8th Dalai Lama]] (1758-1805), introduced the [[Kalachakra]] into his personal [[monastery]], the rNam rgyal [[grwa tshang]]. From that time to the {{Wiki|present}}, the rNam rgyal [[grwa tshang]] has continued the study and practice of the [[Kalachakra]], [[including]] the full complement of the intricate [[Kalachakra]] [[rituals]]. |
| − | His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, belongs to a Kalachakra lineage that traces itself back to the teaching of the Paramadibuddha at Shri Dhanyakataka. His Holiness has been extremely generous in making this religious tradition available to the people of the West. | + | [[His Holiness]] [[Tenzin Gyatso]], the [[14th Dalai Lama]], belongs to a [[Kalachakra lineage]] that traces itself back to the [[teaching]] of the [[Paramadibuddha]] at [[Shri]] [[Wikipedia:Dharanikota|Dhanyakataka]]. [[His Holiness]] has been extremely generous in making this [[religious]] [[tradition]] available to the [[people]] of the [[West]]. |
| − | At present the Kalachakra tradition appears to be in danger of extinction. Due to the extreme complexity of this tantra, its masters have never been numerous. Today, following the Chinese of invasion of Tibet, their number has dwindled to a handful of refugees in India. | + | At {{Wiki|present}} the [[Kalachakra tradition]] appears to be in [[danger]] of [[extinction]]. Due to the extreme complexity of this [[tantra]], its [[masters]] have never been numerous. Today, following the {{Wiki|Chinese}} of [[Wikipedia:Invasion of Tibet (1950–1951)|invasion of Tibet]], their number has dwindled to a handful of refugees in [[India]]. |
Latest revision as of 18:26, 8 February 2020
The Kalachakra was transmitted from India into Tibet via a number of different guru lineages from the 11th through the 14th century. As mentioned previously, two of the most important lineages are styled the “Rwa tradition” and the “’Bro tradition.”
According to Bu ston, the translator Rwa Chos rab traveled to central Nepal (probably Patan) where he studied under the pandit Samantashri for five years, ten months, and five days. Having mastered all the Kalachakra doctrines, Chos rab invited his guru to Tibet where together they continued the work of translating the various texts and disseminating the teachings. The Rwa tradition continued in Tibet through Rwa Chos rab’s son and grandson.
The ’Bro tradition originated from the visit of the Kashmiri pandit Somanatha to Tibet. Together with ’Bro Shes rab grags, Somanatha translated the Vimalaprabha into Tibetan and established this important teaching and practice lineage. By the middle of the 14th century the Sri Kalacakra had been translated into Tibetan fifteen or sixteen times; the Vimalaprabha more than ten. This is really remarkable given the size and complexity of these texts. No other Buddhist text received a comparable amount of attention from the great Tibetan translators.
The Rwa and ’Bro lineages continued through successions of teachers and eventually flowed together. One particularly noteworthy name from this period is that of Bu ston Rin chen grub (1290- 1364). Bu ston is perhaps best known for his part in the editing of the Tibetan canon, but later lamas especially praised him for his key role in the preservation of all of the different types of tantra exposition and practice.
Bu ston made a close study of the Kalachakra; he produced a revised, annotated edition of the canonical translations of the Sri Kalacakra and the Vimalaprabha. He also wrote a number of important monographs on special topics in the Kalachakra.
rje Tsong kha pa bLo bzang grags pa (1357-1419), founder of the dGe lug pa school, studied the Kalachakra under a disciple of Bu ston. Tsong kha pa in turn transmitted it to his disciple mKhas grub dGe legs dpal bzang (1385-1438). mKhas grub mastered the entire Kalachakra system and composed a commentary on the Vimalaprabha that is enormous even by Tibetan literary standards. Entitled The Illuminator of Reality (De kho na nyid snang bar byed pa), it occupies three large volumes in his collected works.
The dGe lug pa school maintained the study and practice of the Kalachakra over the centuries. The Panchen Lamas of the Tashilhunpo monastery in gTsang were especially active in the practice of the Kalachakra. At Tashilhunpo there was a special school devoted to the Kalachakra (Dus ’khor grwa tshang).
The third Panchen Lama, bLo bzang dpal ldan ye shes (1738- 1780), composed a prayer in which he expressed the wish to be born in Shambhala during the reign of Kalki Raudra Chakri.28 He also wrote a book that came to be known as the Guidebook to Shambhala (Sambha la’i lamyigf- ' In addition to a more general account of Asian history and geography, the book describes the route to Shambhala and the means by which a person can travel there. This portion of the book is based, to a great extent, on another “guidebook” translated from Sanskrit, the Kalapavatara, (Entrance to Kalapa), the capital of Shambhala; Peking *5908).
rGyal ba ’Jam dpal rgya mtsho, the 8th Dalai Lama (1758-1805), introduced the Kalachakra into his personal monastery, the rNam rgyal grwa tshang. From that time to the present, the rNam rgyal grwa tshang has continued the study and practice of the Kalachakra, including the full complement of the intricate Kalachakra rituals.
His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, belongs to a Kalachakra lineage that traces itself back to the teaching of the Paramadibuddha at Shri Dhanyakataka. His Holiness has been extremely generous in making this religious tradition available to the people of the West.
At present the Kalachakra tradition appears to be in danger of extinction. Due to the extreme complexity of this tantra, its masters have never been numerous. Today, following the Chinese of invasion of Tibet, their number has dwindled to a handful of refugees in India.
