Biography of Atisha

By Gurugana Dharmakaranama (Last Updated Sep 18, 2008)

Foreword

Translated by Thubten Kelsang Rinpoche and Ngodrub Paljor, with John Blofeld. First published by the Social Science Association Press of Thailand, Bangkok, in 1974. Reprinted by Mahayana Publications, Tushita Mahayana Meditation Centre, New Delhi, 1983, 1984. ISBN 0 86171 015 0.

I wish to offer my congratulations and express my appreciation and pleasure to the Tibetan Bhikshus, Thubten Kalsang and Ngodrub Paljor, together with Mr. John Blofeld of Great Britain,.all residents of Thailand, for preparing and publishing this abridged translation into English of the life and deeds of the incomparable Great Master Atisha.

The great being known as the Venerable Master Atisha, Dipamkara Srijnana, was born in Bengal, East India, in the second half of the tenth century. From a very young age, he studied myriads of scriptural texts on various subjects in harmony with his personal practice. He became a great master-practitioner famous throughout India.

In coming to Tibet in the eleventh century, Atisha eliminated all mistakes there from misunderstandings and lack of understanding concerning the textual and oral teachings of Hinayana and Mahayana as well as Tantrayana. By illuminating the path of how to practice all the teachings of the Buddha without any contradiction, he has been extremely kind, especially to the Tibetans of the Land of the Snow. Therefore, I offer my prayers and hopes that this publication into English of the life and deeds of the Venerable Atisha will be of vast benefit to many fortunate beings.

Gelong Tenzin Gyatso, the XIV Dalai Lama

September 10, 1973