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Amoghavajra

Type Figure Region China Time 705–774 Also known as 不空金刚、Amoghavajra、阿目佉跋折罗

Amoghavajra (705–774), a eminent Tang-dynasty esoteric Buddhist monk and one of the three great masters of Chinese esoteric Buddhism (Tang Esotericis…

Timeline

  1. 705–720Luoyang · HenanHe came to China with his maternal uncle as a child, residing in Luoyang, ordaining at fifteen, later studying esoteric methods under Vajrabodhi, mastering Sanskrit and Chinese, and studying in Chang'an, Luoyang and elsewhere, laying the foundation for esoteric practice and scripture translation.
  2. 720–746South China Sea · South ChinaOrdered by Vajrabodhi to travel south through the five regions of India to seek the Dharma, he returned to Tang China after sixteen years, inherited Vajrabodhi's lineage, received consecration and transmission of the Womb and Diamond great dharmas, and became a core transmitter of Tang Esotericism.
  3. 746–774Chang'an · ShaanxiServing as tripiṭaka śramaṇa at Daxingshan Temple and as state preceptor across three reigns, he built altars and transmitted the Dharma in Chang'an and Luoyang, translated over a hundred esoteric scriptures, trained disciples such as Huilang and Tanzhen, brought Tang Esotericism to its zenith, and died in Chang'an.

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