This study hopes to contribute to the field of Tibetan intellectual history and to the understanding of Buddhist vows through the investigation of the Bodhisattva vow as seen from the perspective of Tibetan scholars, using `Jig rten mgon po as an example.
Research by scholars in the past has led to a better understanding of the contents and importance of the Bodhisattva vows in Mahāyāna Buddhism. While some have focused on the earlier explanations found in Buddhist sūtras, others have concentrated on the later development of the Bodhisattva vows discussed in Indian Buddhist commentaries. However, within the field of Tibetan intellectual history, modern scholars have begun to recognize the importance of the so-called “Three Vows” ( sdom gsum) genre found in Tibetan Buddhist writings. To date, there has been no in-depth investigation of the complex historical development of the Bodhisattva vows of Tibetan Buddhism, in which the transformation of the concept of bodhicitta (enlightenment attitude) has played a significant role.
Initially, this dissertation seeks to provide an historical and textual investigation of the Bodhisattva vows from the period of Indian Buddhism to that of Tibetan Buddhism. Secondly, by analyzing the views held by `Jig rten mgon po, based chiefly on that part of his work, “Single Intention ” (Dgongs gcig), which concerns the Bodhisattva vows, I will highlight his distinctive concerns regarding this subject. In collating the numerous arguments between the Sa skya pa and the Bka' brgyud pa scholars around this topic, I will attempt to decipher and resolve some points which will contribute to a further understanding of medieval Tibetan intellectual history. In the second part, I will provide translations of two commentaries on the chapter of the Bodhisattva vow of the Dgongs gcig.
In general, the intent of this dissertation is to pursue these investigations utilizing a philological and historical perspective while taking into account both Indian and Tibetan traditions.
