The Uttaratantra in the Land of Snows

Tsering Wangchuk is Assistant Professor and Richard C. Blum Chair in Himalayan Studies at the University of San Francisco.

Acknowledgments
Introduction

General Remarks
Textual Historical Background

Part I. Early Period: Kadam Thinkers Rescue the Treatise

1. Rise of the Uttaratantra in Tibet: Early Kadam Scholars Revitalize the Newly Discovered Indian Exegesis

Introduction
Ngok and Chapa on the Pervasive Nature of the Buddha-Body
Ngok and Chapa on Definitive or Provisional Nature in the Uttaratantra
Ngok and Chapa on the Uttaratantra as a Last Wheel Treatise
Buddha-Element as a Conceived Object
Ngok and Chapa Differ on Emphasis
Conclusion

2. Sowing Seeds for Future Debate: Dissenters and Adherents

Introduction
Sapen, the Dissenter
Rikrel, the Third Karmapa, and Sangpu Lodrö Defend the Uttaratantra
Rinchen Yeshé’s Proto Other-Emptiness Presentation of the Uttaratantra, and Butön’s Reply
Conclusion

Part II. The Pinnacle Period: the Other-Emptiness Interpretation Spreads

3. Other-Emptiness Tradition: The Uttaratantra in Dölpopa’s Works

Introduction
Predominance of the Last Wheel Scriptures
Is the Uttaratantra a Cittamātra Text or a Madhyamaka Text?
Classification of Cittamātra
Classification of Madhyamaka
Conclusion

4. The Uttaratantra in Fourteenth-Century Tibet

Introduction
Sazang Follows in His Master’s Footsteps
Two Fourteenth-Century Kadam Masters’ Uttaratantra Commentaries
Longchenpa’s View on the Uttaratantra
Conclusion

Part III. The Argumentation Period: Self-Emptiness Proponents criticize Other-Emptiness Approach

5. Challenges to the Purely Definitive Nature of the Uttaratantra: Zhalu Thinkers Criticize Dölpopa

Introduction
Butön’s Ornament
Dratsépa’s Commentary
Conclusion

6. Challenges to the Supremacy of the Uttaratantra: Rendawa and Tsongkhapa on Tathāgata-essence Literature

Introduction
Rendawa on the Uttaratantra and the Tathāgata-Essence Literature
Tsongkhapa on the Uttaratantra and the Tathāgata-Essence Literature
Conclusion

7. Gyeltsap’s Commentary on the Uttaratantra: A Critique of Dölpopa’s Interpretation of Tathāgata-essence Literature

Introduction
Middle Wheel and Last Wheel Teachings
Definitive Meaning and Provisional Meaning
Self-Emptiness and Other-Emptiness
Conclusion

Conclusion
General Remarks
Completing the Cycle

Notes

Bibliography
Tibetan Language Works Cited
English Language Works Cited

Index