Buddha-Nature Timeline
From Buddha-Nature
Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra (which Michael Radich dates as early as the 2nd century) mentions tathāgathagarbha and uses the term ātman to describe buddha-nature.
Tathāgatagarbhasūtra (as dated by Michael Zimmermann) and other scriptures later considered as sūtras teaching tathāgathagarbha are circulating and promoting the concept of buddha-nature.
Nāgārjuna writes the Dharmadhātustava and praises the sphere of reality as the basis of saṃsāra and nirvāṇa. He calls it "the element" and "luminous mind" and claims emptiness does not negate this nature.
Śrīmālādevīsiṃhanādanirdeśa (which may have been circulating as one of the most influential sūtras on buddha-nature) is said to have been translated into Chinese by Seng Fani. It claims buddha-nature "is empty of adventitious stains but not empty of its limitless inseparable qualities."
Mahābherīsūtra (which was translated into Chinese by Guṇabhadra) equates buddha-nature with the dharmakāya. Anūnatvāpūrṇatvanirdeśaparivarta (which Jonathan Silk dates to at least before the early 5th century) mentions how sentient beings, bodhisattvas, and buddhas are three phases of the buddha-nature being impure, partially obscured, and fully pure.
According to Takasaki, the Ratnagotravibhāga, which Central Asian and Tibetan sources attribute to Maitreya and Chinese sources attribute to Sāramati, is composed.
Paramārtha translates the Awakening of Faith attributed to Aśvaghoṣa into Chinese and thereby promotes the concept of Original Enlightenment.
Tanyan writes the first commentary on the Awakening of Faith, which was followed by some 170 other commentaries written in China, Japan, and Korea.
The Great Samye Debate takes place between the Indian gradualists led by the Mādhyamika master Kamalaśīla and Chinese subitists led by Chan monk Heshang Moheyan (or Hashang Mahāyāna).
Yeshe De and others translate major buddha-nature sūtras such as the Tathāgatagarbhasūtra and Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra into Tibetan.
Maitrīpa (986-1063) is said to have discovered the texts of the Ratnagotravibhāga and Dharmadharmatāvibhāga in a stūpa.
Ratnavajra, grandfather of Sajjana, is believed to have composed his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum.
Atiśa Dīpaṅkara and Naktso Tsultrim Gyelwa translate the Ratnagotravibhāgauttaratantra or the Ultimate Continuum into Tibetan in Yerpa, Tibet.
Ngok Loden Sherab and Tsen Khawoche depart for Kashmir where they would receive teachings on the works of Maitreya, including the Ultimate Continuum, from Sajjana.
Tsen Khawoche Drime Sherab, who received teachings on the Ultimate Continuum from Sajjana with the help of Zu Gawai Dorje as translator, returns to Tibet and teaches the Ultimate Continuum, thereby starting the meditative tradition (སྒོམ་ལུགས་) of the Ultimate Continuum.
Ngok Loden Sherab translates the Ultimate Continuum with the help of Sajjana in the town of Anupama in Kashmir. He also composes his commentaries on the Ultimate Continuum, and Sajjana writes his instructions on the Ultimate Continuum.
Marpa Dopa Chökyi Wangchuk composes his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum according to his teacher Parahita's explanation, although the commentary is perhaps mistakenly attributed to Marpa Chökyi Lodrö.
Patsab Lotsāwa Nyima Drakpa, who introduced the Prāsaṅgika Madhyamaka tradition to Tibet, and Marpa Dopa Chökyi Wangchuk, who is known for the transmission of Cakrasaṃvara to Tibet, translate the Ultimate Continuum. Marpa Dopa also composes his commentary.
Chapa Chökyi Senge, the sixth abbot of Sangpu Neutok, composes his summary as well as a detailed explanation of the Ultimate Continuum and carries on the philosophical legacy of Ngok Loden Sherab.
Lhodrak Dharma Senge, for whom we do not have much information, composes his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum.
Drogön Chögyal Pakpa writes his synopsis of the Ultimate Continuum in the palace of Kubilai Khan in China.
Jetsun Drakpa Gyaltsen composes his notes on the Ultimate Continuum entitled the Unmistaken Intent of Maitreya in response to master Thinley Zangpo.
Sherab Jungne, the student of Jikten Gönpo Rinchen Pel of Drigung, compiles the Single Intention containing the 150 vajra statements of his master, thus launching an important classic of the Drigung Kagyu school.
Sakya Paṇḍita Kunga Gyaltsen critiques the other theories of buddha-nature and presents buddha-nature as an unchanging sphere of reality in his Distinguishing the Three Vows. He argues that the buddha-nature sūtras teaching innate enlightenment are provisional teachings.
Kyotön Mönlam Tsultrim, the eighth abbot of Nartang, composes many works on buddha-nature, including his Instructions on "The Ultimate Continuum of the Mahāyāna", and he promotes the meditative tradition from Tsen Khawoche.
Chomden Rikpai Raldri, a learned Kadam scholar of Nartang, writes his exegesis on the Ultimate Continuum entitled the Flower Ornament and also writes his History of Dharma Associated with Maitreya.
Lodrö Tsungme of Sangpu Neutok composes his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum entitled The Precious Lamp That Illuminates the Definitive Meaning of the Mahāyāna Uttaratantra Treatise, which is aligned to the interpretation in the meditative tradition.
One Yarlung Lotsāwa, according to Gö Lotsāwa Zhönu Pal, is said to have translated the Ultimate Continuum.
Chomden Rikpai Raldri, the Narthang scholar, composes his Ornamental Flowers: A Commentary on the Mahāyāna Uttaratantra and explains buddha-nature to be an emptiness indivisible from awareness.
The Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje composes his Treatise on Pointing Out the Tathāgata Heart, a commentary on the Dharmadhātustava, and other writings related to buddha-nature.
Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen writes his tour de force Mountain Doctrine and many other works and he expounds the philosophy of zhentong or "other-emptiness," in which conventional phenomena are empty of self-existence and buddha-nature is the ultimate absolute reality endowed with all qualities of the Buddha.
Tanak Rinchen Yeshe, who was a teacher of both Tokme Zangpo and Dolpopa, writes his Illumination of the Definitive Meaning: A Commentary on the Uttaratantra in Relation to the Sūtras, which presents a promo-zhentong interpretation.
Longchenpa Drime Õzer composes his Seven Treasures, Trilogy of Relaxation, and Trilogy of Liberation, in which he presents buddha-nature as the empty luminous nature of the mind.
Sazang Mati Paṇchen Lodrö Gyaltsen improves the Tibetan translation of the Ultimate Continuum and writes his long and clear exposition Illuminating the Definitive Meaning: An Explanation of the Ultimate Continuum.
Zhangtön Sönam Drakpa, a student of Dolpopa, writes his Commentary on the Ultimate Continuum Clarifying the Last Wheel of Teachings, highlighting how the third turning is a definitive teaching.
Gyalse Tokme Zangpo writes his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum, Illuminating the Definitive Meaning, in E temple.
Butön Rinchen Drup wrote his Ornament That Illuminates and Beautifies the Tathāgata Heart and underscored that the buddha-nature teachings are expedient provisional teachings and not to be taken literally.
Dondrup Rinchen, the first teacher of Tsongkhapa, composed his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum in which he refutes certain interpretations of buddha-nature, which were later adopted by the Geluk tradition.
Lama Dampa Sönam Gyaltsen composed his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum entitled Definitive Clarification of the Intent with Gyeltsen Zangpo as scribe. A synopsis containing topical outline was also extracted later. He presents an interpretation different from the position of Sapañ.
Yeshe Dorje from Minyak, a student of 4th Karmapa Rolpai Dorje and Donzhak, wrote his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum highlighting the Zhentong view.
Rendawa Zhönu Lodrö, the great promoter of Mādhyamika in Tibet, composed his synopsis on buddha-nature and exegesis on Kālacakra highlighting the Rangtong understanding although Gö Lotsāwa claims that he later changed his approach.
Gharungpa Lhai Gyaltsen wrote his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum in Namkha Dzod hermitage following Dolpopa's Zhentong tradition and Sazang's outline.
Gendun Özer, a Kadampa master who is difficult to date, composed his outline and commentary on the Ultimate Continuum claiming to be different from the wordy commentaries from the past and presenting logical arguments, direct explanation, enumeration, etc. as requested by his students of central Tibet. He uses Ngok’s translation but uses Naktso and Patsap’s translation also.
Rongtön Sheja Kunrik wrote his commentary on and practice manual for the Ultimate Continuum.
Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa, who founded Ganden monastery in 1409 wrote his Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, followed by other works which initiated the Geluk understanding of buddha-nature.
Gyaltsap Darma Rinchen, who received teachings on the Ultimate Continuum from both Rendawa and Tsongkhapa, wrote his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum which came to influence subsequent Gelukpa understanding of buddha-nature and interpretation of the Ultimate Continuum. The commentary was written at Nenying at the request of Gungru Gyaltsen Zangpo.
Bodong Paṇchen Chokle Namgyal wrote his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum and presents a interesting interpretation.
The 7th Ganden Tripa Lodrö Tenpa wrote his commentary on the 'Ultimate Continuum following the interpretation of buddha-nature by his master Gyaltsap Je.
Gö Lotsāwa Zhönu Pal, the famous historian, dictated his extensive commentary on the Ultimate Continuum in Mondang.
Śākya Chokden composed his Explanation of Buddhagarbha: An Essence of Sūtra and Tantra highlighting his position that real buddha-nature does not exist in sentient beings.
The Karma Kagyu scholar Dumowa Tashi Özer, a student of the 7th Karmapa, wrote his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum integrating the points from the 3rd Karmapa Rangjung Dorje's synopsis.
Paṇchen Sönam Drakpa, the main author studied in Drepung Loseling, composed his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum based on Gyaltsap Je's commentary at Gaden Zurkhang.
The eighth Karmapa Mikyö Dorje wrote his The Lamp That Excellently Elucidates the System of the Proponents of the Other-Emptiness Madhyamaka and other works and highlighted the understanding of 'expanse zhentong'.
Tāranātha wrote many works including his masterpiece Thoroughly Ascertaining the Great Middle Way of the Expansive Supreme Vehicle and championed the Zhentong philosophy of Jonang tradition.
One Taklung Chöje, perhaps Taklung Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, composed his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum in which he refutes various Tibetan interpretations.
Tsele Natsok Rangdrol, a Drukpa Kagyu master, wrote his treatise on understanding buddha-nature and ultimate reality in the context of Madhyamaka, Mahāmudrā and Dzogchen, particularly relating it to practical application.
Getse Mahāpaṇḍita Tsewang Chokdrup, a leading Nyingma master from Kaḥthog monastery wrote his exegesis on buddha-nature and Great Middle Way highlighting the validity of Zhentong.
The itinerant monk scholar Dza Patrul Rinpoche composed his topical outline of the Ultimate Continuum in Zamthang monastery.
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, a leading rime master, wrote his quintessential presentation of the Zhentong philosophy in the Jonang tradition.
Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Taye wrote his experiential commentary on the Ultimate Continuum in which he presents the understanding of Other Emptiness.
Mipam Namgyal Gyatso, the 19th century Nyingma polymath, wrote his exegesis on buddha-nature called Lion's Roar and underscored his understanding of buddha-nature as a union of emptiness and luminosity. He also made annotation of the Ultimate Continuum which his students compiled in 1925.
Khenpo Zhenpen Chokyi Nangwa, also known as Zhenga, composed his interlinear commentary on the Ultimate Continuum as part of the thirteen great treatises, which came to be widely used in shedra curriculum.
Drakar Lobzang Palden Tendzin Nyendrak wrote his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum following Gyaltsap Je's interpretation and also his work on Zhentong on behalf of some monks of Zamtang.
Ngawang Tsoknyi Gyatso, a Jonang scholar of Zamtang monastery, wrote his treatises on buddha-nature explaining the Zhentong tradition of Dolpopa although Michael Sheehy considers his understanding lenient and mild Zhentong.
Eugène Obermiller translated the Ultimate Continuum for the first time into English in his The Sublime Science of the Great Vehicle to Salvation, Being a Manual of Buddhist Monism: The Work of Ārya Maitreya with a Commentary by Āryāsanga.
Ngawang Lodrö Drakpa wrote his Fearless Lion's Roar also known as the "Great Zhentong which highlights the Zhentong tradition of Jonang. The book came to be a classic on Zhentong alongside Dolpopa's Mountain Doctrine and Tāranātha's Thoroughly Ascertaining the Great Middle Way of the Expansive Supreme Vehicle.
David Seyfort Ruegg articulated and analysed the theories on buddha-nature in his La théorie du Tathagatagarbha et du garbha: Études sur la Sotériologie et la Gnoséologie du Bouddhisme.
Jangtse Khenzur Sönam Kunga finished his compilation of the various Tibetan philosophical understanding and interpretations of buddha-nature in Sarnath.
The 69th Je Khenpo Gendun Rinchen composed his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum in Phajoding.
Muge Samten Gyatso composed his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum as requested by one Lobzang Tashi but the commentary is incomplete due to his illness.
The Gelukpa scholar Yeshe Gyatso of Chentsa Mani temple in Qinghai wrote his summary of, which is a full commentary on, the Ultimate Continuum following Gyaltsap Je's interpretation.
Troru Tsenam completed his commentary on the 'Ultimate Continuum which is based on the transcription of his lectures.
The 7th Drikung Chetsang, Konchog Tenzin Kunsang Thrinle Lhundrup composed his commentary on the Ultimate Continuum entitled Words of Asaṅga.
Karl Brunnholzl produced his tour de force on buddha-nature When the Clouds Part: The Uttaratantra and Its Meditative Tradition as a Bridge between Sutra and Tantra and highlighted the Zhentong tradition.
Tsering Wangchuk published his historical account of buddha-nature scholarship in Tibet entitled The Uttaratantra in the Land of Snows: Tibetan Thinkers Debate the Centrality of the Buddha-Nature Treatise.
