Everything about Taranatha totally explained
Taranatha (1575-1634) was a
Lama of the
Jonang school of
Tibetan Buddhism. He is widely considered its most remarkable scholar and exponent.
Early life
Taranatha was born in Drong,
Tibet, supposedly on the birthday of
Padmasambhava. His original name was Kun-dga'-snin-po, which means Anandagarbha. He reportedly used a Sanskrit name 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. 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 an Indian,
Buddhagupta.
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 center
Puntsokling Monastery, 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 passed away 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.
Further Information
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