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{{Short description|7/8th-century Indian Vajrayna Buddhist monk and teacher in Tang-dynasty China}}
{{Short description|7/8th-century Indian Vajrayana Buddhist monk and teacher in Tang-dynasty China}}
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[[File:Vajrabodhi, 14th century, Kamakura, National Museum,Tokyo.jpg|thumb|Painting of Vajrabodhi. Japan, [[Kamakura Period]] (14th century)]]
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{{Use Indian English|date=March 2023}}
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[[File:Vajrabodhi, 14th century, Kamakura, National Museum,Tokyo.jpg|thumb|Painting of Vajrabodhi. Japan, [[Kamakura period]] (14th century)]]


'''Vajrabodhi''' ({{Lang-zh|c=金剛智|p=Jīngāng Zhì}}, 671–741) was an [[Medieval India|India]]n [[Vajrayana|esoteric Buddhist]] [[Bhikkhu|monk]] and teacher in [[Tang Dynasty|Tang China]]. He is one of the eight patriarchs in [[Shingon]] Buddhism.
'''Vajrabodhi''' ({{lang-sa|वज्रबोधि}}, {{Lang-zh|c=金剛智|p=Jīngāng Zhì}}, 671–741) was an [[Medieval India|India]]n [[Vajrayana|esoteric Buddhist]] [[Bhikkhu|monk]] and teacher in [[Tang dynasty|Tang China]]. He is one of the eight patriarchs in [[Shingon]] Buddhism. He is notable for introducing Vajrayana Buddhism in the territories of the [[Srivijaya| Srivijaya Empire]] which subsequently evolved into a distinct form known as [[Indonesian Esoteric Buddhism]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Krishnan |first1=Gauri Parimoo |title=Nalanda, Srivijaya and Beyond: Re-exploring Buddhist Art in Asia |date=2016 |publisher=Asian Civilisations Museum and University of Hawaii Press |isbn=9789810999124 |page=192 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Db4JkAEACAAJ&q=nalanda+srivijaya}}</ref>


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
Vajrabodhi was the second of three Vajrayana [[missionaries]] to eighth-century China. He was born of a [[South Indian]] [[brahmin]] family, and his father was a priest for the royal house.<ref>Cho, Yi-Liang (2006). Tantrism in China. In: Payne, Richard, K. "Tantric Buddhism in East Asia", Wisdom Publications, pp.47-51.</ref> Vajrabodhi probably converted to Buddhism at the age of sixteen, although some accounts place him at the Buddhist institution of [[Nālandā]] at the age of ten.
Vajrabodhi was the second of three Vajrayana [[missionaries]] to eighth-century China. He was a son of a Brahmin family.<ref>Cho, Yi-Liang (2006). Tantrism in China. In: Payne, Richard, K. "Tantric Buddhism in East Asia", Wisdom Publications, pp.47-51.</ref> Vajrabodhi probably converted to Buddhism at the age of sixteen, although some accounts place him at the Buddhist institution of [[Nālandā]] at the age of ten.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lowe |first1=Roy |title=The Origins of Higher Learning: Knowledge networks and the early development of universities |date=2016 |publisher=Routledge |page=70 |isbn=9781317543275 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9DolDwAAQBAJ&dq=vajrabodhi+nalanda&pg=PA70}}</ref>
He studied all varieties of Buddhism and was said to have studied for a time under the famous Buddhist logician [[Dharmakīrti]]. Under [[Santijnana]], Vajrabodhi studied [[Vajrayāna]] teachings and was duly initiated into [[yoga]].
He studied all varieties of Buddhism and was said to have studied for a time under the famous Buddhist logician [[Dharmakīrti]]. Under [[Santijnana]], Vajrabodhi studied [[Vajrayāna]] teachings and was duly initiated into [[yoga]].


Leaving [[Agastya Mala]] of the [[Pothigai]] mountain range of India, Vajrabodhi traveled to [[Sri Lanka]] and [[Sriwijaya]] (present-day [[Palembang]] in the [[South Sumatra|south of Sumatra Island]], [[Indonesia]]), where he apparently was taught a [[Vajrayāna]] tradition distinct from that taught at Nālandā. This [[Tamraparni|Tamraparniyan]] route had been traversed by several scholars prior, and mirrored the reach of [[Agastya]]. From Srivijaya he sailed to China via the escort of thirty-five [[Persian Empire|Persian]] merchant-vessels,<ref>[http://www.iranchamber.com/culture/articles/iranian_cultural_impact_southeastasia.php Iranian cultural impact on south-east Asia]</ref> and by AD 720 was ensconced in the Jianfu Temple at the Chinese capital, [[Chang'an]] (present-day [[Xian]]). Accompanying him was his soon-to-be-famous disciple, [[Amoghavajra]].
Leaving [[Agastya Mala]] of the [[Pothigai]] mountain range of India, Vajrabodhi traveled to [[Sri Lanka]] and [[Sriwijaya]] (present-day [[Palembang]] in the [[South Sumatra|south of Sumatra Island]], [[Indonesia]]), where he apparently was taught a [[Vajrayāna]] tradition distinct from that taught at Nālandā. This [[Tamraparni|Tamraparniyan]] route had been traversed by several scholars prior, and mirrored the reach of [[Agastya]]. From Srivijaya he sailed to China via the escort of thirty-five [[Persian Empire|Persian]] merchant-vessels,<ref>[http://www.iranchamber.com/culture/articles/iranian_cultural_impact_southeastasia.php Iranian cultural impact on south-east Asia]</ref> and by AD 720 was ensconced in the Jianfu Temple at the Chinese capital, [[Chang'an]] (present-day [[Xi'an]]). Accompanying him was his soon-to-be-famous disciple, [[Amoghavajra]].


Like [[Subhakarasimha]], who preceded him by four years, Vajrabodhi spent most of his time in ritual activity, in translating texts from [[Sanskrit]] to [[Chinese language|Chinese]], and in the production of Esoteric art. Particularly important was his partial translation of the Sarvatathāgatatattvasagraha between the years 723 and 724. This [[Yoga]] [[Tantra]]- along with the Mahāvairocana [[Sutra]]; translated by Subhakarasimha the same year- provides the foundation of the [[Zhenyan]] school in China and the [[Shingon]] and Esoteric branch of the [[Tendai]] school in Japan. Like Subhakarasimha, Vajrabodhi had ties to high court circles and enjoyed the patronage of imperial princesses; he also taught Korean monk [[Hyecho]]; who went on to travel India and Umayyad Persia. Vajrabodhi died in 741 and was buried south of the [[Longmen Grottoes]]. He was posthumously awarded the title ''Guoshi'' ("Teacher of the Realm").
Like [[Subhakarasimha]], who preceded him by four years, Vajrabodhi spent most of his time in ritual activity, in translating texts from [[Sanskrit]] to [[Chinese language|Chinese]], and in the production of Esoteric art. Particularly important was his partial translation of the Sarvatathāgatatattvasagraha between the years 723 and 724. This [[Yoga]] [[Tantra]] - along with the Mahāvairocana [[Sutra]], translated by Subhakarasimha the same year - provides the foundation of the [[Zhenyan]] school in China and the [[Shingon]] and Esoteric branch of the [[Tendai]] school in Japan. Like Subhakarasimha, Vajrabodhi had ties to high court circles and enjoyed the patronage of imperial princesses; he also taught Korean monk [[Hyecho]]; who went on to travel India and Umayyad Persia. Vajrabodhi died in 741 and was buried south of the [[Longmen Grottoes]]. He was posthumously awarded the title ''Guoshi'' ("Teacher of the Realm").


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:7th-century Indian monks]]
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[[Category:Monks of Nalanda]]
[[Category:Sanskrit–Chinese translators]]

Latest revision as of 13:16, 5 May 2024

Painting of Vajrabodhi. Japan, Kamakura period (14th century)

Vajrabodhi (Sanskrit: वज्रबोधि, Chinese: 金剛智; pinyin: Jīngāng Zhì, 671–741) was an Indian esoteric Buddhist monk and teacher in Tang China. He is one of the eight patriarchs in Shingon Buddhism. He is notable for introducing Vajrayana Buddhism in the territories of the Srivijaya Empire which subsequently evolved into a distinct form known as Indonesian Esoteric Buddhism.[1]

Biography[edit]

Vajrabodhi was the second of three Vajrayana missionaries to eighth-century China. He was a son of a Brahmin family.[2] Vajrabodhi probably converted to Buddhism at the age of sixteen, although some accounts place him at the Buddhist institution of Nālandā at the age of ten.[3]

He studied all varieties of Buddhism and was said to have studied for a time under the famous Buddhist logician Dharmakīrti. Under Santijnana, Vajrabodhi studied Vajrayāna teachings and was duly initiated into yoga.

Leaving Agastya Mala of the Pothigai mountain range of India, Vajrabodhi traveled to Sri Lanka and Sriwijaya (present-day Palembang in the south of Sumatra Island, Indonesia), where he apparently was taught a Vajrayāna tradition distinct from that taught at Nālandā. This Tamraparniyan route had been traversed by several scholars prior, and mirrored the reach of Agastya. From Srivijaya he sailed to China via the escort of thirty-five Persian merchant-vessels,[4] and by AD 720 was ensconced in the Jianfu Temple at the Chinese capital, Chang'an (present-day Xi'an). Accompanying him was his soon-to-be-famous disciple, Amoghavajra.

Like Subhakarasimha, who preceded him by four years, Vajrabodhi spent most of his time in ritual activity, in translating texts from Sanskrit to Chinese, and in the production of Esoteric art. Particularly important was his partial translation of the Sarvatathāgatatattvasagraha between the years 723 and 724. This Yoga Tantra - along with the Mahāvairocana Sutra, translated by Subhakarasimha the same year - provides the foundation of the Zhenyan school in China and the Shingon and Esoteric branch of the Tendai school in Japan. Like Subhakarasimha, Vajrabodhi had ties to high court circles and enjoyed the patronage of imperial princesses; he also taught Korean monk Hyecho; who went on to travel India and Umayyad Persia. Vajrabodhi died in 741 and was buried south of the Longmen Grottoes. He was posthumously awarded the title Guoshi ("Teacher of the Realm").

References[edit]

  1. ^ Krishnan, Gauri Parimoo (2016). Nalanda, Srivijaya and Beyond: Re-exploring Buddhist Art in Asia. Asian Civilisations Museum and University of Hawaii Press. p. 192. ISBN 9789810999124.
  2. ^ Cho, Yi-Liang (2006). Tantrism in China. In: Payne, Richard, K. "Tantric Buddhism in East Asia", Wisdom Publications, pp.47-51.
  3. ^ Lowe, Roy (2016). The Origins of Higher Learning: Knowledge networks and the early development of universities. Routledge. p. 70. ISBN 9781317543275.
  4. ^ Iranian cultural impact on south-east Asia

Bibliography[edit]

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