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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.
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