Tathāgatagarbha: A Brief History
A term of indefinite meaning and uncertain origin, tathāgatagarbha is one of the most inspiring, provocative, and controversial concepts in the vast literature of Buddhism. Variously interpreted as the promise of buddhahood for all, the promise of buddhahood for some, and a provisional teaching for those intimidated by emptiness, it has generated commentary from across the Mahāyāna world among many of the most influential masters of India, Tibet, China, Korea, and Japan. This lecture will seek to provide an overview of the history and influence of tathāgatagarbha.
Event: Vienna Symposium 2019 – Keynote Lecture
Date: July 16, 2019 – 5:30 pm
Speaker: Donald Lopez Jr.
Topics: Buddha Nature, History
Donald S. Lopez, Jr.
University of Michigan
Donald Lopez is the Arthur E. Link Distinguished University Professor of Buddhist and Tibetan Studies at the University of Michigan. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2000. His most recent translations, both with Thupten Jinpa, are Grains of Gold: Tales of a Cosmopolitan Traveler (the Gtam rgyud gser gyi thang ma of A mdo Dge 'dun chos 'phel) and Ippolito Desideri's refutation of rebirth and emptiness, Dispelling the Darkness: A Jesuit's Quest for the Soul of Tibet. His translation of the famous grub mtha' of Lcang skya rol pa'i rdo rje will appear in the Fall.
