The Jonang tradition of Tibetan Buddhism expanded significantly under the influence of Dolpopa Sherab Gyeltsen, a philosopher whose interpretation of the shentong doctrine challenged existing academic frameworks of his time. Born in the Dölpo region of modern Nepal in 1292, he emerged as a distinctive voice by systemizing complex Buddha-nature teachings into a coherent, albeit controversial, theological structure.
Early Life and Education
At seventeen, Dolpopa left his home in Dölpo to pursue Buddhist scholarship, traveling first through Mustang before reaching Tibet. By 1314, at twenty-two, he received full monastic ordination from Sönam Trakpa, the abbot of Choelung Monastery. During this period, he committed to a dietary restriction against consuming slaughtered meat. For the first decade of his monastic life, he adhered primarily to the Sakya tradition, serving as a teacher at the Sakya Monastery until 1322.
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Dolpopa is best known for his role as the principal exponent of shentong, or 'emptiness of other.' Following his 1321 visit to Jonang Monastery and subsequent discussions at Tsurphu Monastery with Rangjung Dorje, the 3rd Karmapa Lama, he formulated his theories on ultimate reality. He argued that while relative truth is characterized by an emptiness of self-nature, ultimate truth constitutes a permanent, deathless essence. He referred to this state using terms such as 'True Self' or 'Great Self,' drawing heavily on texts like the Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra and the Aṅgulimālīya Sūtra.
Leadership and Scholarly Output
Beyond his theoretical contributions, Dolpopa maintained an active role in monastic administration and monument construction. In 1327, following the death of his teacher Yönden Gyantso, he initiated the building of a large stupa at Trophu to honor his mentor. He served as the leader of Jonang Monastery until his retirement in 1338, when he appointed the translator Lödro Bal to succeed him. His principal written work, Ocean of Definitive Meaning, remains his most significant contribution to the Buddhist philosophical canon.
Fast facts
- Born: 1292
- Died: 1361
- Birthplace: Dölpo, present-day Nepal
- Core philosophy: Shentong
- Notable work: Ocean of Definitive Meaning
- Language: Tibetan
- Tradition: Jonang
- Ordination year: 1314
Questions readers ask
What is the primary difference between rangtong and shentong?
Rangtong asserts that all phenomena are empty of self-nature, while shentong posits that ultimate reality is empty of all things that are impermanent but not empty of its own eternal Buddha-nature.
Did Dolpopa write any notable philosophical texts?
Yes, his most prominent work is the Ocean of Definitive Meaning, in which he outlines his interpretations of Buddhist scripture.
Achievements
- Notable work: Ocean of Definitive Meaning
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