Taranatha's History of Buddhism in India

Summary

This translation introduces readers to Taranatha’s seventeenth‑century Tibetan chronicle of Buddhism’s fortunes in India. The excerpt published here comprises the section on King Aśoka’s biography. Drawing on earlier sources no longer extant, Taranatha relates the story of Aśoka’s birth to a merchant’s wife, his unusual upbringing, and the prophecy that he would rule if he ate simple food, wore coarse garments and sat upon the ground. The narrative recounts Aśoka’s conquest of rebellious hill tribes, his acquisition of universal sovereignty and his subsequent patronage of Buddhism. Although interwoven with miracles and legendary episodes, the account preserves details about Aśoka’s ministers, family members and interactions with monks. The translator provides annotations explaining Tibetan terms and comparing them with Pali and Sanskrit traditions. The article thus serves both as a historical source and as an example of how Buddhism’s history was transmitted to Tibet through a blend of myth and record.