Hello there--

I'm having a difficult time locating some needed information on
Shantarakshita's contribution to Tibetan Buddhist philosophy.  My
research has not provided me with the specific information needed to
complete my course.  Thank you.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

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Request for Question Clarification by lot-ga on 17 Dec 2002 20:08 PST

Hello coggs101-ga

I had a quick dig around, but trouble is, as it is the 8th Century
there doesn't appear to be more than one paragraph (maybe two) about
him, which I assume is not enough information for you to contruct your
piece... also I am concerned this is information you already know.

I did history at general education advanced level (though not
religious history) which encompassed about 5th century onwards and
coursework typcially would not cover subject matter where there was
not much material. So this leaves me to believe (a guess here) you are
at university degree stage and this is your chosen topic of research?

Can you clarify what information you already know, and how much more
you need? (if quantifiable)

Kind regards
lot-ga

coggs101-ga,

Thanks for contacting Google Answers!

Shantarakshita's other names were Shiba-'tsho and Shantijiva.

Shantarakshita's major contributions and events were:

- Authored the _Tattvasamgraha_, which was later translated into
Chinese by Vajrabodhi and his disciple, Amoghavajra in 720.  This text
and one other became the primary textbooks of the Buddhism style
practiced in China by the Chen Yen, or True Word, school.  The book
itself appears to be a Mahayana sutra traditional work, however.  It
is an analysis of Buddhist beliefs and tenets (and I believe contains
several thought structures and philosophical contributions that were
not generated from within the Buddhist faith).  It had four sections
which were designed to appeal to a set of predominant vices by a
practioner.  They were essentially paths of purification.

- He regained the confidence of Tibetan king Trhisong Detsen, after
monks succeeding Songtsen Gampo were "lax in respect to practices"[1].

- The Bon faith appears to have been the original belief structure in
Tibet and these folks thought Shantarakshita was a great threat to
their beliefs, so they essentially got him expelled through "magical
methods".[2]

- 

References:
http://www-relg-studies.scu.edu/netcours/rs013/buddhism/tantricb/practice.htm
http://kaladarshan.arts.ohio-state.edu/exhib/sama/*Essays/AM93.011Padm.html
http://www.omhros.gr/Kat/History/Rel/Bud/BudLit.htm

[1 and 2] http://www.omhros.gr/Kat/History/Rel/Bud/BudLit.htm

Google search methodology:

Terms Shantarakshita, Tattvasamgraha, Shiba-'tsho and Shantijiva.

Best regards!

Thanks,
arimathea-ga
Google Answers Researcher

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Request for Answer Clarification by coggs101-ga on 18 Dec 2002 18:22 PST

Dear Arimathea--

Thank you for answering my question.  Though your answer is thorough
and thought provoking, I find it as confusing as the information found
in the philosophy text books themselves.  Is there more of a laymen’s,
yet thorough, explanation to the question posed?  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Coggs101

---

Clarification of Answer by arimathea-ga on 19 Dec 2002 05:25 PST

He was (from what I can distill) the author of the most influential
analytical work on Buddhism in the 7th century.  He was also the
person credited for rekindling Buddhism in Tibet.  That book did a
whole lot of things for several different areas of Buddhism,
including:

- Clarification of the Vajra-dhatu Mandala
- Introduced the "Five Buddha" complex, which underlies the Mahayana
tantra theory
- Helped in being a foremost text for the translation of Buddhism to
other places in the world

I think perhaps the Five Buddha complex item is what you are looking
for.

Good luck!

arimathea-ga

Rock-on!  Thank you for a job well done, Arimathea!  I appreciate the
simpler explanation, too!

Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,
Coggs101