|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
Śāntarakṣita
Śāntarakṣita (Skt.; Tib., Zhi.ba.tsho; c.705–88 CE). Indian philosopher and chief exponent of the Vijñavāda-Mādhyamaka synthesis, who played a significant role in the ‘first diffusion’ (snga.dar) of Buddhism in Tibet (see TIBETAN RELIGION). A central feature of Śāntarakṣita's system is his doctrine that the mind's capability of self-awareness (Skt., svasaṃvedana) is the primary differentiation to be made between the mind and the objects of its awareness, which are said to be ‘inert’ (jaḍa).
Śāntarakṣita first visited Tibet in 763 CE and a second time in 775, staying until his death. It was he who, according to Padma.kaʾi.thang.yig (The Clear Decree of Padma; a 15th-cent. terma), advised King Trisong Detsen (Khri.srong.lde.brtsan) to invite Padmasambhāva to Tibet on the basis of the latter's supernatural powers, because of magical opposition to Buddhist teaching from the native Bön religion. Śāntarakṣita's major works are Madhyamakālaṅkāra (Ornament of the Middle Way) with his own commentary, and Tattvasaṃgraha (Compendium of Reality), an assessment of the Indian schools. |
|
|
Cite this article
JOHN BOWKER. "Śāntarakṣita." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Śāntarakṣita." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-ntarakita.html JOHN BOWKER. "Śāntarakṣita." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-ntarakita.html |
|
Śāntarakṣita
Śāntarakṣita. A son of the king of Sahor, he received his monastic vows from Jñānagarbha at Nālandā and became a recognized expert of the Svātantrika form of Madhyamaka. He composed several important works such as the Ornament of the Madhyamaka (Skt., Madhyamaka-alaṃkāra) and the Compendium of Truths (Skt., Tattva-saṃgraha). During the reign of Trisong Detsen, he went to Tibet in the later part of the 8th century ce where he lived for thirteen years until his death. He designed and supervised the construction of Samyé Monastery, introduced the monastic community to Tibet, and began the major task of translating Buddhist scriptures into Tibetan.
|
|
|
Cite this article
DAMIEN KEOWN. "Śāntarakṣita." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAMIEN KEOWN. "Śāntarakṣita." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-ntarakita.html DAMIEN KEOWN. "Śāntarakṣita." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-ntarakita.html |
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
