Dharmakīrtiśrī
Dharmakīrtiśrī was a significant 10th-century Buddhist teacher, also known as Serlingpa or Kulānta, whose name indicated his origin from a region in Southeast Asia such as Lower Burma, the Malay Peninsula, or Sumatra. He is renowned for being the teacher of several influential Mahayana Buddhist scholars and for authoring a key commentary on the Abhisamayālaṃkāra.
Key Facts
- ›A renowned 10th-century Buddhist teacher.
- ›Also known by the Tibetan name Serlingpa and Chinese name Jinzhou Dashi.
- ›His name indicates an origin from Southeast Asia, possibly Lower Burma, the Malay Peninsula, or Sumatra.
- ›He was a teacher to prominent figures like Atiśa, Ratnākaraśānti, Jñānaśrīmitra, and Ratnakīrti.
- ›Authored the Durbodhālokā, a sub-commentary on Haribhadra's work on the Abhisamayālaṃkāra.
- ›A Sanskrit manuscript of his Durbodhālokā was discovered at Sakya Monastery.
Important Relationships
- Ratnākaraśānti
- Atiśa
- Jñānaśrīmitra
- Ratnakīrti
- Haribhadra
DurbodhāLokā
Lower Burma, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Sakya Monastery
Sanskrit
About Dharmakīrtiśrī
Who was Dharmakīrtiśrī?
Dharmakīrtiśrī was a renowned Buddhist teacher active in the 10th century. He is also known by the names Kulānta and Suvarṇadvipi Dharmakīrti. His epithet "Serlingpa," and the meaning of "Suvarnadvipi," indicate that he hailed from or was associated with the region of Suvarnadvīpa, which is understood to encompass parts of Southeast Asia such as Lower Burma, the Malay Peninsula, or Sumatra.
Teachings and Scholarship
Dharmakīrtiśrī is primarily recognized for his role as a teacher to several influential figures in late Mahayana Buddhism. Among his notable students were Ratnākaraśānti, Atiśa, Jñānaśrīmitra, and Ratnakīrti, all of whom played significant roles in the development and transmission of Buddhist thought.
Major Work
His most notable scholarly contribution is the Durbodhālokā, a sub-commentary on the Abhisamayālaṃkāra-śāstra-vṛtti, which itself is a commentary by Haribhadra. This work demonstrates Dharmakīrtiśrī's engagement with key Mahayana philosophical and meditative texts. A significant Sanskrit manuscript of the Durbodhālokā was discovered in the 20th century at Sakya Monastery, highlighting the enduring importance of his textual contributions.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Dharmakīrtiśrī?
Dharmakīrtiśrī was a highly regarded Buddhist teacher of the 10th century. He is also recognized by other names, including Serlingpa in Tibetan and Jinzhou Dashi in Chinese, which likely refer to his geographical origins.
Where did Dharmakīrtiśrī live?
The name Dharmakīrtiśrī suggests he hailed from a region in Southeast Asia. Historical references point to areas such as Lower Burma, the Malay Peninsula, or Sumatra as his place of origin or residence.
Who were Dharmakīrtiśrī's notable students?
Dharmakīrtiśrī was the teacher of several important thinkers in late Mahayana Buddhism. Among his prominent disciples were Ratnākaraśānti, Atiśa, Jñānaśrīmitra, and Ratnakīrti.
What is Dharmakīrtiśrī known for authoring?
He is the author of a significant work titled Durbodhālokā, which translates to 'Light on the Hard-to-Illuminate.' This text serves as a sub-commentary to Haribhadra's work on the Abhisamayālaṃkāra.
Where was Dharmakīrtiśrī's major work discovered?
A Sanskrit manuscript of Dharmakīrtiśrī's Durbodhālokā was found in the 20th century. It was discovered at Sakya Monastery.
Related Buddhists
Luipa
Luipa was a significant Buddhist mahasiddha and siddhacharya from the Pala Empire, active around the 10th century. He is recognized as one of the early poets of the Charyapada and a writer of various Buddhist texts. His name is often associated with consuming fish-guts, a practice he undertook to overcome pride and achieve enlightenment, and he became an exemplar for many later siddhas.
Chandragomin
Chandragomin was an influential Indian Buddhist lay scholar and poet known for his philosophical writings and the play Lokānanda. Active during the 5th century, he was a teacher at Nalanda Monastic University and is recognized for his contributions to grammar and his devotional works to the goddess Tara. The Tibetan tradition holds him in high regard, believing he once challenged Chandrakirti.
Dharmarakṣa
Dharmarakṣa was a pivotal early translator of Mahayana sutras into Chinese, born in Dunhuang around 233 CE. His extensive translations, including the Lotus Sutra and the Ten Stages Sutra, profoundly influenced East Asian Buddhism and contributed to the development of Chang'an as a major Buddhist center. He is described as being of Yuezhi origin and was active from 266 CE until his death around 310 CE.