Tathāgatagarbha: A Brief History

Marcus Perman2022-11-16T23:39:20-07:00

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.

Tathāgatagarbha: A Brief HistoryMarcus Perman2022-11-16T23:39:20-07:00

Evening Event with Donald Lopez Jr. and Thupten Jinpa

Marcus Perman2022-11-16T23:34:09-07:00

During the opening banquet, the tone of the conference was set by an intimate conversation between Professor Lopez and Geshe Jinpa discussing their love of Tibetan language and textual translation, as well as several book projects they have worked on together: Grains of Gold: Tales of a Cosmopolitan Traveler by Gendün Chöpel, The University of Chicago Press, 2014; The Treatise on Passion Dispelling the Darkness: A Jesuit’s Quest for the Soul of Tibet, Harvard University Press, 2017; and The Treatise on Passion by Gendun Chöpel, forthcoming.

Evening Event with Donald Lopez Jr. and Thupten JinpaMarcus Perman2022-11-16T23:34:09-07:00

Translation and Transmission

Marcus Perman2022-10-30T22:49:33-06:00

This panel synthesizes many earlier discussions about the connections between the processes of translation and transmission. Wulstan Fletcher acknowledges the bifurcation of “scholar” and “practitioner” and the basic assumptions associated with each label. Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo explores the limits of tolerance and the translator’s responsibility in terms of social justice issues. Donald Lopez speaks of the importance of all types of Tibetan texts when seeking historical context, and Jules Levinson discusses the point at which translators find themselves poised to develop literature and poetry for the sake of creative process.

Translation and TransmissionMarcus Perman2022-10-30T22:49:33-06:00