The Kālacakra Master Piṇḍo of Java: Life and Works / Sources and Interpretations

Abstract

This video discusses the first of three Vajrayāna Buddhist masters who were born in ‘peripheral’ regions, travelled considerable distances to ‘central’ regions, and appear in the historical record due to their accomplishments as scholars, adepts, and teachers. In addition to sharing ‘remote’ birthplaces, all three of these men were involved in the transmission of the Kālacakra tantra. The three masters are: 1) Piṇḍo of Java (bSod snyoms pa Ya ba dwī pa) [f. 10th–11th cent.]; 2) Tsami Sangyé Drakpa of Minyak (Mi nyag Tsa mi Sangs rgyas grags pa) [f. 11th–12th cent.]; 3) Jé Lozang Drakpa of Tsongkha (rJe Tsong kha pa bLo bzang grags pa) [1357–1419]. Tsongkhapa has long been famous as the founder of the Gandenpa (later, ‘Gelukpa’) Dharma tradition (chos lugs) of Tibet. Piṇḍo and Tsami Sangyé Drakpa have not been studied to nearly the same extent. This video presents an overview of aspects of the first part of a projected three-part study examining ‘the Kālacakra connection’ between three figures who played significant roles in the development and transmission of Indian and Tibetan Buddhism