Difference between revisions of "Taranatha"
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| − | [[File:Taranatha.jpg|thumb|175px|right|Traditional [[thangka]] rendering of Taranatha]] | + | [[File:Taranatha.jpg|thumb|175px|right|Traditional [[thangka]] rendering of [[Taranatha]]]] |
| − | Tāranātha (1575–1634) was a Lama of the [[Jonang]] school of [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. He is widely considered its most remarkable scholar and exponent. | + | Tāranātha (1575–1634) was a [[Lama]] of the [[Jonang]] school of [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. He is widely considered its most remarkable [[scholar]] and exponent. |
| − | Taranatha was born in Tibet, supposedly on the birthday of [[Padmasambhava]]. His original name was Kun-dga'-snying-po, the Sanskrit equivalent of which is Anandagarbha. However, he adopted Taranatha, the Sanskrit name by which he was generally known, as an indication of the value he placed on his Sanskrit scholarship in an era when mastery of the language had become much less common in Tibet than it had once been. He was also paying homage to his Indian teacher, Buddhaguptanatha. | + | [[Taranatha]] was born in [[Tibet]], supposedly on the birthday of [[Padmasambhava]]. His original name was Kun-dga'-snying-po, the [[Sanskrit]] equivalent of which is Anandagarbha. However, he adopted [[Taranatha]], the [[Sanskrit]] name by which he was generally known, as an indication of the value he placed on his [[Sanskrit]] scholarship in an era when [[mastery]] of the [[language]] had become much less common in [[Tibet]] than it had once been. He was also [[paying homage]] to his [[Indian]] [[teacher]], Buddhaguptanatha. |
| − | His exceptional qualities are said to have been recognized by others at a young age, as is often the case with great masters. He studied under such masters as Je Draktopa, Yeshe Wangpo, Kunga Tashi and Jampa Lhundrup, although his primary teacher was Buddhaguptanatha. | + | His [[exceptional]] qualities are said to have been recognized by others at a young age, as is often the case with great [[masters]]. He studied under such [[masters]] as Je Draktopa, Yeshe Wangpo, Kunga Tashi and Jampa Lhundrup, although his [[primary]] [[teacher]] was Buddhaguptanatha. |
| − | Taranatha was recognized by Khenchen Lungrik Gyatso as the rebirth of Krishnacarya and the Khenchen's own teacher, Jetsun Kunga Drolchok. | + | [[Taranatha]] was recognized by Khenchen Lungrik Gyatso as the [[rebirth]] of Krishnacarya and the Khenchen's own [[teacher]], Jetsun Kunga Drolchok. |
==Works== | ==Works== | ||
| − | Taranatha was a prolific writer and a renowned scholar. His best known work is the 143-folio History of Buddhism in India (dpal dus kyi 'khor lo'i chos bskor gyi byung khungs nyer mkho) of 1608, which has been published in English. His other major work, The Golden Rosary, Origins of the Tantra of the Bodhisattva Tara of 1604 has also been translated into English. In 1614 Taranatha founded the important Jonangpa monastery Takten Dhamchöling, in the Tsangpo Valley about 200 miles west of Lhasa. After the take-over by the Gelug in 1642, it became known as Ganden Puntsokling. | + | [[Taranatha]] was a prolific writer and a renowned [[scholar]]. His best known work is the 143-folio History of [[Buddhism]] in [[India]] (dpal dus kyi 'khor lo'i [[chos]] bskor gyi byung khungs nyer mkho) of 1608, which has been published in English. His other major work, The [[Golden Rosary]], Origins of the [[Tantra]] of the [[Bodhisattva]] [[Tara]] of 1604 has also been translated into English. In 1614 [[Taranatha]] founded the important Jonangpa [[monastery]] Takten Dhamchöling, in the Tsangpo Valley about 200 miles west of [[Lhasa]]. After the take-over by the [[Gelug]] in 1642, it became known as [[Ganden]] Puntsokling. |
==Later life== | ==Later life== | ||
| − | Probably not long after 1614, Taranatha went to Mongolia, where he reportedly founded several monasteries. He died probably in Urga, Mongolia. His rebirth became known as Zanabazar, the First Bogd Gegen, or Jetsun Dampa of Mongolia. His current reincarnation is known as [[Khalkha Jetsun Dampa]]. | + | Probably not long after 1614, [[Taranatha]] went to [[Mongolia]], where he reportedly founded several [[monasteries]]. He [[died]] probably in Urga, [[Mongolia]]. His [[rebirth]] became known as [[Zanabazar]], the First Bogd Gegen, or Jetsun Dampa of [[Mongolia]]. His current [[reincarnation]] is known as [[Khalkha Jetsun Dampa]]. |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
Revision as of 11:34, 25 August 2013
Tāranātha (1575–1634) was a Lama of the Jonang school of Tibetan Buddhism. He is widely considered its most remarkable scholar and exponent.
Taranatha was born in Tibet, supposedly on the birthday of Padmasambhava. His original name was Kun-dga'-snying-po, the Sanskrit equivalent of which is Anandagarbha. However, he adopted Taranatha, the Sanskrit name by which he was generally known, as an indication of the value he placed on his Sanskrit scholarship in an era when mastery of the language had become much less common in Tibet than it had once been. He was also paying homage to his Indian teacher, Buddhaguptanatha.
His exceptional qualities are said to have been recognized by others at a young age, as is often the case with great masters. He studied under such masters as Je Draktopa, Yeshe Wangpo, Kunga Tashi and Jampa Lhundrup, although his primary teacher was Buddhaguptanatha.
Taranatha was recognized by Khenchen Lungrik Gyatso as the rebirth of Krishnacarya and the Khenchen's own teacher, Jetsun Kunga Drolchok.
Works
Taranatha was a prolific writer and a renowned scholar. His best known work is the 143-folio History of Buddhism in India (dpal dus kyi 'khor lo'i chos bskor gyi byung khungs nyer mkho) of 1608, which has been published in English. His other major work, The Golden Rosary, Origins of the Tantra of the Bodhisattva Tara of 1604 has also been translated into English. In 1614 Taranatha founded the important Jonangpa monastery Takten Dhamchöling, in the Tsangpo Valley about 200 miles west of Lhasa. After the take-over by the Gelug in 1642, it became known as Ganden Puntsokling.
Later life
Probably not long after 1614, Taranatha went to Mongolia, where he reportedly founded several monasteries. He died probably in Urga, Mongolia. His rebirth became known as Zanabazar, the First Bogd Gegen, or Jetsun Dampa of Mongolia. His current reincarnation is known as Khalkha Jetsun Dampa.
