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Most of this information and some of the images are taken from the Jonang Foundation website.[1]
One of the most important masters of the Jonang lineage.
The last great throne-holder at Jonang monastery in Central Tibet, Taranatha (1575–1635), also known as Kunga Nyingpo, was a successor to the reincarnation lineage of Jetsun Kunga Drolchog. He received the entirety of major transmissions from the Kadam, Zhalu, Sakya, Shangpa Kagyu and Karma Kagyu traditions, and was an expert on the tantras from the later translation period (gsar bsgyur). He received the Dro lineage of the Kalachakra from his teacher Kunga Palzang at Jomonang, and the transmissions according to Buton's Zhalu Rwa tradtion from Kenchen Lungrig Gyatso. It was this master who recognized him as Kunga Drolchog's incarnation.
Another important teacher of Taranatha's was the Indian Mahasiddha, scholar and traveller Buddhagupta-natha, whom he met near Narthang in Tibet. From him he received a number of transmissions which had not previously appeared in the land of snows. Among them were the transmission of the Tantras and instructions of Tarayogini, the Guhyasamaja according to the tradition of Jnana-pada, the Dohas of Jalandhara, Varahi according to the tradition of Jalandhara, the Oral Instructions of Kusali and its Six Branches on the perfection process for Hevajra, and several heretofore unknown Mahamudra instructions, to name just a few. Taranatha composed a wonderful biography of this outstanding master, which is contained in his Collected Works.
As one of the most prolific authors in the Jonang tradition, his 23 volumes of collected works encompass topics on history, tantric ritual practice, zhentong thought, autobiography, pilgrimage, astrology, medicine, meditation, etc. One of his most well-known historical works is his famous "History of Buddhism in India", a delightful mixture of anecdotes about the lives of many Indian Mahasiddhas, as well as historical and geographical information. Available in English translation, it is one of the major sources for the study of Indian Buddhism for students from all over the world even today. Other important historical works of his are his histories of the Kalachakra-, Yamantaka- and Tara-tantras.
In the year 1615, Taranatha founded Takten Damcho Ling Monastery (Phuntsok Ling) south of the Ritro Chenmo mountain hermitage and Great Stupa of Jonang.
Primary Teachers[edit]
- Kunga Palzang
- Kenchen Lungrig Gyatso
- Buddhagupta-natha
Primary Students[edit]
- Gyaltsab Narthangpa
- Lodrö Namgyal
- Thrinle Wangmo
Primary Lineage[edit]
Publications[edit]
- His Collected Works in 23 volumes. See an annotated outline at TBRC
- "The Essence of Other-Emptiness" Translated and annotated by Jeffrey Hopkins; Snow Lion Publications (2007)
Alternate Names & Spellings[edit]
- Kunkhyen Taranatha kun mkhyen t'a ra na tha
- Jetsun Taranatha rje brtsun t'a ra na tha
- Jonang Taranatha jo nang t'a ra na tha
- Drolwe Gonpo grol ba'i mgon po
- Kunga Nyingpo - kun dga' snying po
- Kunkhyen Jonangpa
- tA ra nA tha
References[edit]
Other Reference Sources[edit]
- Rgyal rtse Edition Outline (PDF)
- 'Dzam thang Edition Outline (PDF)
- "Origin of the Tara Tantra" By Jonang Taranatha
- "The Outer Autobiography of Jonang Taranatha" At The TCC Web-site in TibDoc NB: ZIP file