A Study On The Devotional Practice Of Padmasambhava

Padmasambhava, a historical figure in the 8^th century, is a very important cultivator in the history of Tibetan Buddhism. As one of the founding patriarchs of Tibetan Buddhism, he has been honored as "the second Buddha", the propagator of Esoteric Buddhism and the Guru Rinpoche of practitioners.In this dissertation, A study on the devotional practice of Padmasambhava, both Chinese and Tibetan materials and the data from field researches are used. Particularly, using the methodology of comparative analysis, various topics, including Padmasambhava's contributions to Tibetan Buddhism, his thoughts on exoteric and esoteric Buddhist teachings, the origins and rituals of "the lucky day" and the Vajra Dance Ceremony, are explored.Chapter One presents an introduction to the life of Padmasambhava. Through comparison and analysis, we not only discuss the symbolic and religious significances of his name, but also explore his achievements in terms of the following four categories: the practice of the five sciences, his thoughts on exoteric and esoteric Buddhist teachings, charnel ground practice and the propagation of Buddhism.In Chapter Two, we discuss Padmasambhava's five main contributions toTibetan Buddhism. Firstly, he successfully converted people from Bon into Buddhism. Secondly, by building monasteries and establishing sanghas, Padmasambhava soundly founded Tibetan Buddhism and, as a result, firmly rooted Buddhism in the high plateau of Qingkangcang. Thirdly, Padmasambhava proposed the establishment of "Buddhist Law" that consequently ensured the proper development of Buddhadharma. Fourthly, his hidden treasure (Tib: ster-md) planted the seeds for the "second transmission" of Buddhism in Tibet. Finally, Padmasambhava presided over the task of sutra translation in the Samye Monastery, which in turn had great influence in later development of Tibetan Buddhism.In Chapter Three, Padmasambhava's thoughts are further studied. Being both the successor and propagator of the Buddha's teaching, Padmasambhava practices diligently himself and according to his own realization in the three mysteries of body, speech and mind he teaches his disciples with the teachings of "nine vehicle" and "Great Perfection". In expounding the method of "the Treasure Within", Padmasambhava emphasizes the cultivation of ultimate continuum which in turn gives rise to the spontaneous manifestation of Reality and Bodhi and consequently the cultivator obtain the ultimate wisdom of the Dharma-realm. In addition, with highly terse language, Padmasambhava also teaches those qualified disciples how to practice the teaching of "Empty Happiness", suggesting that under the guidance of six paramitas the cultivator could get the happiness of emptiness even in the poisonous sea of desires.In Chapter Four, our main topic is Padmasambhava's "lucky day" or the festivity for the Guru Rinpoche. In Tibetan Buddhism, Buddhist practitioners recite sutras and hold offering ceremonies to commemorate Padmasambhava on every 10th day of each month and especially on the 10th day of the sixth month in each Tibetan year, the Vajra Dance Ceremony will be held in honor of Padmasambhava.Chapter Five illustrates the rite of Padmasambhava Vajra Dance. Through thefield studies conducted in the Kothok Monastery in the sixth month of 2004 (Tibetan calendar), we describe in detail the procedure of Vajra Dance.In Chapter Six, we conclude that the devotional practice to Padmasambhava is crucial in Tibetan Buddhism. As a founding patriarch of Tibetan Buddhism and venerated by Tibetan Buddhists as "the second Buddha", Padmasambhava does not only play a crucial role in the history of Tibet, but more importantly he becomes the spiritual incarnation of Buddhadharma in the minds of vast Tibetan devotees.To sum up, the dissertation presents original studies in the following three aspects. First, through the comparative study and analysis of his biographical materials, we argue that Padmasambhava has founded Tibetan Buddhism which has lasted for more than one thousand years. Second, we explore in detail the main ideas of Padmasambhava's teachings . Third, with the help of field studies we analyze the devotional practice to Padmasambhava which is still a big part of Tibetan Buddhist practices.