Companion Volume to The Jeweller of Scripture
"The present volume contains the translation of the 2nd part of Bu-ton's History of Buddhism, i.e. of the historical part proper. The latter begins with the life of the Buddha and ends with an account of the work carried out by the Tibetan Lotsvas and Indian Pandits of Bu-ton's own period and immediately before him (XII and XIII cent.), viz. the translation of the Buddhist Cannonical texts and exegetical treatises from the Sanskrit. There are numerous quotations from both sutra and sastra. Owing to this it becomes possible to get aclear aspects of the principal sources from which Bu-ton has compiled his history, and which have likewise later on served as a basis for the work of Taranatha. The book is divided into following principal parts.

Pt. I--the life of Buddha Sakyamuni, the narrative of the so-called 12 acts of the Buddha (mdzad-pa bcu-gnis), or rather of the 12 principal events in the life; Pt. II--the rehearsals of the Buddhist scripture. This part begins with the account of the first rehearsal, of the death of Kasaypa and Ananda, and of the second rehearsal; Pt. III--the different theories concerning the time of duration of the Buddhist doctrine; Pt. IV--the "prophesies" concerning the persons that have furthered the spread of Buddhism. The most important are those contained in the Lankavatara, the Mahakaruna-pundarika and the Manjusri-mulatantra. A separate prophecy referring to the Tantrik Acharyas, that of the Kalacakra uttaratantra and Mahakala-tantraraja is given at the end of this part. Pt. V--the biographies of the celebrated Buddhist teachers, viz. Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, Candragomin, Candrakiriti, Aryasanga Vasubandhu, Sthirmati, Dignaga, Dharmakirti, Haribhadra, Santideva etc. Each of these is followed by name of the works composed by the teacher in question. An indication of the volumes of the Tangyur in which the works are contained is always given in the notes.

A short summary of the history of the grammatical literature, or rather of the legends referring to it, viz. the stories about Brhspati, Panini, Sarvavarman etc.; Pt. VII--prophesies of an apocalyptic character foretelling the disappearance of the Buddhist doctrine; Pt. VIII--the history of Buddhism in Tibet. It begins with the genealogy of the early legendary Tibetan kings, commencing with Nathitsen-gam-po. These are followed by a more detailed account concerning the spread of Buddhism in Tibet during the reign of Thi-sron-de-tsen the selection of the first 7 Tibetan monks, the dispute between the adherents of Kamalasila and of the Chinese Hva-san Mahayana etc. In particular there is a enumeration of the texts translated by some of the Lotsavas from the Sanskrit. In the end book contains a detailed index of the Sanskrit works quoted in the book." (jacket)�

The History of Buddhism in India and Tibet/Bu-Ston. Translated from Tibetan by E. Obermiller. Reprint. 1996, Paljor, New Delhi, Hardcover, 229 p.

Buton Rinchen Drub, one of Tibet's most outstanding scholars, who lived from 1290 to 1364. known as the Lord of Zhalu"--Zhalu being the location of his principal monastery--this unique master was a prolific translator into Tibetan of the Buddha's teachings, as well as a supremely wise and compassionate teacher who worked tirelessly to bring all beings to liberation. His close disciple, Dratshadpa Rinchen Namgyal, wrote this work out of a strong faith and devotion in his master. In it he relates many of the wondrous events of Buton Rinpoche's virtuous life and deeds.

Introduction

The Life of the Buddha according to the Lalita-vistara

The Buddha�s attainment of Nirvana according to the Vinaya-Ksudraka

IV.� A detailed Exposition of the Essence of the Doctrine

The Rehearsals of the Kanon

The Rehearsals of the Hinayanistic Scripture

The Rehearsal of the Mahayanistic Kanon

IV. The Period of Existence of the Doctrine.

The Time during which the Doctrine is to Exist

The Prophecies concerning the persons who furthered the spread of Buddhism

The Celebrated Buddhist Teachers of India

The Cessation of the Existence of the Doctrine

IV. B. The History of Buddhism in Tibet

The Earlier Period of the Propagation of the Doctrine

IV. Bb. The Subsequent Period of the Propagation of the Doctrine

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