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The Buddha from Dolpo examines the life and thought of the Tibetan
Buddhist master, Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen (1292- 1361). Known as "The Buddha from
Dolpo," he was one of the most important and original thinkers in Tibetan
history, and perhaps the greatest expert on the tantric teachings of the
Kalacakra or "Wheel of Time." Based largely upon esoteric Buddhist knowledge
believed to be preserved in the legendary land of Shambhala, Dolpopa's theories
continue to excite controversy in Tibetan Buddhism after almost 700 years.
Dolpopa emphasized two contrasting definitions of the Buddhist teachings of emptiness: "emptiness of self-nature," which applies only to the level of relative truth, and "emptiness of other," which applies only to the level of absolute truth. Dolpopa identified ultimate reality as the Buddha-nature inherent in all living beings. This view of an "emptiness of other," known in Tibetan as Zhentong, is Dolpopa's main spiritual legacy.
This book contains the first translations into any language of major works by Dolpopa. A General Commentary on the Doctrine is one of the earliest texts in which he systematically presented his view of the entire Buddhist path to enlightenment. The Fourth Council, written at the end of his life, may be viewed as a final summation of his ideas.
Cyrus Stearns's book describes both Dolpopa's life and his ideas. Earlier Tibetan precedents for the Zhentong view are also discussed, as well as Dolpopa's own unique use of language and the major influences on the development of his controversial theories. The fate of his tradition, which was censured by the Tibetan government in the seventeenth century, is examined, and several of the most important adherents to the Zhentong theory are also discussed.
About the Author:
Cyrus Stearns is a longtime student of Tibetan language
and religion, and has served as a translator for Tibetan teachers of all
traditions. For many years he has studied with and translated for Chogye Trichen
Rinpoche and the late Dezhung Tulku Rinpoche. Cyrus has a Ph.D. in Buddhist
Studies from the University of Washington in Seattle, and is the author of
several articles on Buddhism.
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