Taranatha's History of Buddhism in India

Summary

Taranatha's *History of Buddhism in India*, written in the late 16th to early 17th century, is a significant but flawed Tibetan account spanning Buddhist history from King Ajatashatru to the Sena kings of Bengal. Despite its imaginative narratives, reliance on miracles, and chronological inaccuracies, the text remains a vital resource for Buddhist legends and references to key figures and centers. Western scholars have frequently cited it since its translation into European languages. The work was compiled from four Tibetan manuscripts, with Schiefner’s German translation (1868) and Wassiljew’s Russian version (1866) serving as primary references for this English edition. Taranatha, born in 1573 and active around 1608, belonged to the Jonang school, a sub-sect of the Sakya tradition. His account includes details on Tibetan Buddhist schools, such as the Yellow Caps (Gelugpa), founded by Tsongkhapa (1368–1410), and the Jonang tradition’s focus on "special nothingness." The Jonang school flourished under patrons like the Rin Spung ruler but was later absorbed by the Gelugpas after Taranatha’s death. The text also mentions Khalkha Prince Usutai’s monastery and his grandson’s reincarnation as Tsun dam-pa Slo-ssang-dstan-pai-rgyal-mtshan, honored by the Manchu emperor. While valuable, Taranatha’s work is a compilation rather than a rigorous history, blending myth and tradition. Its chronological system combines Indian and Chinese cycles, though dates are often speculative. Scholars must approach it critically, balancing its cultural insights