A Close Study of Indrabhūti's Jñānasiddhi: Its Indian Origins and Early Transmission within the Indo-Tibetan Doctrine of the Great Seal (mahāmudrā)

• Applicants: Dr. Torsten Gerloff; Dr. Julian Schott
• Subject Area: Asian Studies
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 438848070

In order to develop a better understanding of the tantric traditions of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, the careful study of the early writings is of central importance. Indrabhūti’s Jñānasiddhi, as one of those early and fundamental works, presumably from the late 8th century C.E., marks not only the transition period of the predominance of the Yoga- to the Mahāyoga- and Yoginītantras but also emphasizes the concept of Mahāmudrā, an integral part of Tantric Buddhism. Hence, the philological study and in-depth analysis of its contents, context and literary-history is of paramount importance. The primary research objectives are the full text-critical edition of the Sanskrit original and its Tibetan translation, along with a comprehensively annotated English translation thereof. This includes hitherto unused primary witnesses which will considerably improve the understanding of the text. The investigation of closely related yet largely neglected scriptures, such as, e.g., the so-called "Seven Siddhi Texts" (Grub pa sde bdun) of the Phyag chen rGya gźuṅ, constitutes an essential part of the project. The study not only promises new insights into the early development of Tantric Buddhism in general and of the Great Seal (mahāmudrā) in particular up to the 16th century C.E., but is also expected to provide important information for the identification of the various Indrabhūtis. Although the Jñānasiddhi, due to its significance, has received attention in academia already early on, it has so far not been dealt with in due thoroughness.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Italy
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Francesco Sferra