The history of the *Guhyagarbhatantra
Dorji Wangchuk is undertaking a systematic and comprehensive investigation into the history of the *Guhyagarbhatantra, the most fundamental tantric scripture of the rNying-ma (‘Ancient’) school of Tibetan Buddhism. It includes an examination of the Guhyagarbha’s importance and its relation to other rNying-ma tantras and similar tantric treatises; accounts of its origin and transmission in India, and its subsequent transmission and traditions in Tibet; the various phases of translation as reported in the historical sources; the major controversies surrounding its authenticity; and the history of its rejection and reception in Tibet.
This study also seeks to survey the various xylographic and manuscript editions of the *Guhyagarbhatantra and to assess the diverse Indian and Tibetan commentaries that are currently available.
In particular, it will probe into the doctrinal and philosophical issues central to the tradition of the *Guhyagarbhatantra: interpretations offered by the two major (i.e. the so-called Zur-pa and Rong-Klong) traditions of interpretation and attempts made by later scholars to harmonise them; and it will also attempt to trace possible doctrinal and philosophical antecedents in non- or pre-tantric sources.
- Duration: long term
- Project lead: Prof. Dr. Dorji Wangchuk