The Life of the Siddha-Philosopher Maitrīgupta

Abstract

In Nepalese Sanskrit and Tibetan sources, the life of this Buddhist author of eleventh-century India is a tale of vision, renunciation and quest. Maitrigupta (a.k.a. Maitripa, Advayavajra) leaves academic life to seek a tantric guru among tribal people in the hills. A series of bizarre and nearly salacious lessons serves to cleanse his intellectual vision. He returns to the Middle Country to expound the lessons as a philosophic system called nonattentiveness (amanisikara), a version of the Great Symbol (mahamudra). Whether triumph or scandal, and whether Maitrigupta subsequently prevails or is defeated in controversy with the logicians, seems to depend upon the historical tradition. Sectarian influence is striking in this regard, and the study informs our evaluation of Tibetan accounts of the period. The sources are presented in translation, with detailed examination.

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