List of Tibetan writers

Last updated

This is a chronological list of important Tibetan writers.

Contents

7th-10th century

NameDatesWylie transliterationOther namesNotes
Thonmi Sambhota 7th centurython mi sam bho ta-Inventor of the Tibetan script
Yeshe Tsogyal 757-817ye shes mtsho rgyalPrincess of Kharchen
Great Bliss Queen
Consort of Padmasambhava
Nampar Nangdze Lotsawa 8th centuryrnam par snang mdzad lo tsa baVairotsanaTranslator of Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit into Tibetan during the first phase of translation
Padmasambhava 8th to 9th centurypad ma 'byung gnasGuru RinpocheBrought Buddhism to Tibet
Yuthok Yonten Gonpo (the Elder)708–833g.yu thog yon tan mgon po-Author of foundational works on Tibetan medicine (rgyud bzhi, Gyüschi)
Lochen Rinchen Sangpo 957–1055lo chen rin chen bzang po-First translator of Sarma texts

11th century

NameDatesWylie transliterationOther namesNotes
Machig Labdrön 1055–1149ma gcig lab sgronDorje Dudul ChenmoFamous yogini, promoter of Chöd in Tibet
Marpa Lotsawa 1012–1097mar pa-Important translator of Sarma texts
Milarepa 11th to 12th centurymi la ras paJetsünFamous yogi, known for his Vajra songs
Bari Lotsawa Rinchen Drag1040–1111ba ri lo tsa ba rin chen grags2nd Sakya Trizin Wrote One Hundred Sadhanas of Bari
Langri Tangpa 1054–1123glang ri thang pa Geshe Kadam tradition
Patsab Nyima Drakpa born 1055pa tshab lo tsa ba nyi ma grags pa-Translated many Madhyamaka texts
Gampopa 1079–1153sgam po paSönam Rinchen, Dagpo Lhaje, Nyamed Dakpo Rinpoche, Da'od ZhonnuFounder of Kagyu
Sachen Kunga Nyingpo 1092–1158sa chen kun dga’ snying po3rd Sakya TrizinSystematised teachings of the Sakya tradition

12th century

NameDatesWylie transliterationOther namesNotes
Chekawa Yeshe Dorje 1102–1176 'chad ka ba ye shes rdo rjeGeshe ChekhawaWrote the Seven Points of Spiritual Training
Phagmo Drupa 1110–1170phag mo gru paDorje Gyalpo-
Yuthok Yontan Gonpo the Younger 1126–1202g.yu thog yon tan mgon po-Contributions to Tibetan medicine
Sonam Tsemo 1142–1182bsod nams rtse mo4th Sakya Trizin-
Jigten Sumgön 1143–1217 'jig rten gsum mgonDrikungpaFounder of Drigung Kagyu [1]
Drakpa Gyaltsen 1147–1216grags pa rgyal mtshan5th Sakya TrizinCommentator on Asvaghosa's Fifty Verses of Guru Devotion
Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen1182–1251sa skya pandi ta kun dga’ rgyal mtshan6th Sakya Trizin-

13th century

NameDatesWylie transliterationOther namesNotes
Karma Pakshi 1204–1283karma pak shi2nd Karmapa Wrote over 100 texts on Buddhism, preserved at Tsurphu Monastery
Drogön Chögyal Phagpa Lodrö Gyaltsen1235–1279/80chos rgyal 'phags pa blo gros rgyal mtshan7th Sakya TrizinDevised the 'Phags-pa script
Rangjung Dorje 1284–1339rang byung rdo rje3rd Karmapa-
Buton Rinchen Drub 1290–1364bu ston rin chen grub11th Abbot of Shalu Monastery Catalogued thousands of religious and philosophical works
Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen 1292–1361dol po pa shes rab rgyal mtshan-See also Jonang, Kalacakra

14th century

NameDatesWylie transliterationOther namesNotes
Karma Lingpa 14th centurykarma gling paTertön-
Longchen Rabjam 1308–1364klong chen rab 'byamsLongchenpa, TertönWrote several texts on Dzogchen and Buddhist philosophy
Orgyen Lingpa 1323 – c. 1360o rgyan gling paTertön-
Rolpe Dorje 1340–1383rol pa'i rdo rje4th KarmapaWrote many dohas
Tsongkhapa 1357–1419tsong kha pa1st Ganden Tripa Reformer of Tibetan Buddhism, founder of the New Kadampa, Gelug
Gyaltsab Je 1364–1432rgyal tshab rjeGyaltsab Dharma Rinchen, 2nd Ganden TripaWrote a well-known commentary on Shantideva's Bodhicaryavatara
Khedrup Je 1385–1438mkhas grub rje3rd Ganden Tripa, 1st Panchen Lama -
Gendun Drub 1391–1474dge 'dun grub pa1st Dalai Lama Among other works, Training the Mind in the Great Way
Gö Lotsawa Zhönnu-pel 1392–1481 'gos lo tsa ba gzhon nu dpal-Author of the Blue Annals

15th century

NameDatesWylie transliterationOther namesNotes
Gorampa Sönam Senge1429–1489go rams pa bsod nams seng ge--
Pema Lingpa 1450–1521padma gling paTertön-
Chödrak Gyatso 1454–1506chos grags rgya mtsho7th KarmapaCommentary on Abhisamayalamkara (Mahayana sutras), and The Ocean of Reasoning, a commentary on Pramana literature
Gendun Gyatso 1475–1542dge 'dun rgya mtsho2nd Dalai LamaMystical verse and visions
Ngorchen Konchog Lhundrup 1497–1557ngor chen dkon mchog lhun grub10th Abbot of Ngor MonasteryAuthor of Three Visions (foundational work of Sakya)

16th century

NameDatesWylie transliterationOther namesNotes
Mikyö Dorje 1507–1554mi bskyod rdo rje8th KarmapaMany works on Sutrayana, instructions on tantra
Pema Karpo 1527–1592padma dkar po-Master of the Drukpa Kagyü
Sonam Gyatso 1543–1588bsod nams rgya mtsho3rd Dalai LamaStages of the Path: Refined Gold, Lamrim
Wangchuk Dorje 1556–1603dbang phyug rdo rje9th KarmapaWrote three Mahamudra texts
Lobsang Chökyi Gyaltsen 1570–1662blo bzang chos kyi rgyal mtshan4th Panchen LamaWrote a famous lamrim
Taranatha 1575–1634tA ra nA thaJonangHistorian of Indian Buddhism and author of Five Teachings of Maitreya

17th century

NameDatesWylie transliterationOther namesNotes
Kelden Gyatso 1607–1677skal ldan rgya mtshoKelden Repa"Mgur Bum", poetry and songs in the style of Milarepa
Tsele Natsok Rangdröl 1608–?rtse le sna tshogs rang grolTsele Gotsangpa-
Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso 1617–1682ngag dbang blo bzang rgya mtsho 5th Dalai Lama Twenty-five Sealed Teachings
Desi Sangye Gyatso 1653–1705sangs rgyas rgya mtsho Desi Wrote Vaidurya-Karpo and Vaidurya sNgon-po
Tsangyang Gyatso 1682–1706tshangs dbyangs rgya mtsho 6th Dalai Lama Many great poems with often worldly subjects are ascribed to him

18th century

NameDatesWylie transliterationOther namesNotes
Chokyi Jungne, Situ Panchen 1700–1774chos kyi 'byung gnas8th Tai Situpa Grammarian
Kelsang Gyatso 1708–1757skal bzang rgya mtsho7th Dalai LamaExplication of the Mandala rituals of Vajra Akshobhya Guhyasamaja
Jigme Lingpa 1729–1798 'jigs med gling paRigzin, Tertön-
Jamphel Gyatso 1758–1804 'jam dpal rgya mtsho 8th Dalai Lama -
Getse Mahapandita 1761–1829dge rtse pan chenTsewang Chokdrub-
Palden Tenpai Nyima 1782–1853bstan pa'i nyi ma 7th Panchen Lama Author of Rinjung Lhantab

19th century

NameDatesWylie transliterationOther namesNotes
Jigme Chökyi Wangpo 1808–1887 'jigs med chos kyi dbang po Patrul Rinpoche -
Jamgon Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye1813–1899 'jam mgon kong sprul blo gros mtha' yasPadma Tennyi Yungdrung LingpaTreasury of Rediscovered Teachings
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo 1820–1892 'jam dbyangs mkhyen brtse’i dbang po--
Chokgyur Lingpa 1829–1870mchog gyur gling paTertön-
Dudjom Lingpa 1835–1904bdud 'joms gling paTertön-
Jamgon Ju Mipham Gyatso 1846–1912mi pham 'jam dbyangs rnam rgyalMipham Rinpoche-
Shardza Tashi Gyaltsen 1859–1935shar rdza bkra shis rgyal mtshan-See also Bön
Thubten Gyatso 1876–1933thub bstan rgya mtsho13th Dalai Lama-
Pabongkhapa Déchen Nyingpo 1878–1941pha bong kha pa bde chen snying po--
Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö 1893–1959 'jam dbyangs mkhyen brtse chos kyi blo gros- Rime movement

20th century

NameDatesWylie transliterationOther namesNotes
Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso 1901–1981blo bzang ye shes bstan 'dzin rgya mtsho3rd Trijang Rinpoche Wrote on Gyallu
Gendün Chöpel 1903 or 1905–1951dge 'dun chos 'phel-Author of the White Annals and The Tibetan Art of Love
Jigdrel Yeshe Dorje 1904–1987 'jigs bral ye shes rdo rje2nd Dudjom Rinpoche, 1st leader of the Nyingma See also Terma
Karma Rangjung Kunchap 1905–1989kar ma ran byung kun khyab Kalu Rinpoche Shangpa Kagyu
Tsepon W.D. Shakabpa 1908–1989-Tsepon Wangchuk Deden ShakabpaHistorian
Dilgo Khyentse 1910–1991dil mgo mkhyen brtseFrom 1987 to 1991, led the Nyingma School-
Chatral Sangye Dorje born 1913bya bral sangs rgyas rdo rje Chatral Rinpoche -
Geshe Rabten 1920–1986dge bshes rab brtan-Author on Buddhism
Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche 1920–1996sprul sku o rgyan--
Thubten Jigme Norbu 1922–2008thub bstan 'jigs med nor bu Taktser Rinpoche-
Tenzin Choedrak 1922–2001bstan 'dzin chos grags-Former doctor of the 14th Dalai Lama
Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche born 1924-Abt des Karma Triyana Dharmachakra-
Lopön Tenzin Namdak born 1926bstan 'dzin rnam-dagLopönSee also Bön
Lobsang Gyatso (monk) 1928–1997blo bzang rgya mtshoGesheFounder of the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics Dharmshala, murdered in 1997
Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche 1930–2002-Rinpoche-
Kelsang Gyatso born 1931bskal bzang rgya mtshoGesheFounder of the New Kadampa Tradition
Thinley Norbu born c. 1931 phrin las nor buDungsé Thinley Norbu Rinpocheson of Jigdrel Yeshe Dorje, 2nd Dudjom Rinpoche
Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche 1932–1999-Nyoshul Khenpo-
Ani Pachen 1933–2002--Autobiography
9th Thrangu Rinpoche born 1933-Khenchen-
Palden Gyatso born 1933dpal ldan rgya mtsho-Autobiography
Tarthang Tulku born 1934---
Tenzin Gyatso born 1935bstan 'dzin rgya mtsho14th Dalai Lama, GesheWide range of works on Buddhism
Thubten Yeshe 1935–1984thub bstan ye shes-Founder of the FPMT
Tashi Tsering born 1937bkra shis tshe ringGeshe-
Namkhai Norbu born 1938nam mkha'i nor buChögyalWritings on Dzogchen
Lobsang Tenzin born 1939blo bzang bstan 'dzin5th Samdhong Rinpoche, Kalon Tripa of the 13th Kashag of the Tibetan government-in-exile
Akong Rinpoche born 1939---
Loden Sherab Dagyab born 1940---
Bokar Rinpoche 1940–2004--Contributions on Bardo
Chögyam Trungpa 1940–1987chos rgya drung pa11th Trungpa Tulku from Surmang -
Khenchen Palden Sherab 1941–2010mkhan chen dpal ldan shes rab-Several Nyingma translations in English
Thubten Zopa Rinpocheborn 1946-LamaFounder of the FPMT
Sogyal Rinpoche born 1948bsod rgyal rin po che-Author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche born 1951chos kyi nyi ma-Son of Tulku Urgyen, contributions on Bardo
Mipham Chökyi Lodrö born 1952mi pham chos kyi blo gros14th Shamarpa -
Dhondup Gyal 1953–1985don grub rgyal-A founder of modern Tibetan literature
Tashi Tsering (London) born 1958bkra shis tshe ringGeshe-
Alai (author) born 1959--Chinese writer
Tashi Dawa born 1959bkra shis zla ba-Author of A Soul Knotted on a Leather Thong
Khyentse Norbu born 1961mkhyen brtse nor buDzongsar Jamyang Khyentse-
Tenzin Wangyal born 1961bstan 'dzin dbang rgyal-See also Bön
Sakyong Mipham born 1963--Son of Chögyam Trungpa
Sungrap Ngedon Tenpa Gyaltsen born 1965-7th Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Abbot of Dzogchen Monastery -
Ngawang Tsoknyi Gyatso born 1966ngag dbang tshogs gnyis rgya mtsho3rd Tsoknyi Rinpoche Son of Tulku Urgyen
Tsering Woeser born 1966---
Khandro Rinpoche born 1967mkha' 'gro rin po che-Daughter of Trichen Jurme Kunzang Wangyal
Tsering Wangmo Dhompa born 1969tshe ring dbang mo sdom pa-Female poet
Tenzin Tsundue born 1975---
7th Yongey Mingyur born 1975yongs dge mi 'gyurDorje RinpocheYoungest son of Tulku Urgyen

20th century (cont. alphabetically)

NameDatesWylie transliterationOther namesNotes
Jamyang Norbu - 'jam dbyangs nor bu--
Tsering Döndrub -tshe ring don grubAncestor, ra loNovelist
Tsering Namgyal -tshe ring rnam rgyal-Writer of Little Lhasa and other different articles in various newspaper
Tsering Shakya -tshe ring sha kyaTsering Wangdu ShakyaHistorian
Tsoltim Ngima Shakabpa ---poet and writer

Foreign writers with Tibetan names

NameDatesWylie transliterationOriginal nameNotes
Erik Pema Kunsang -Erik pad ma kun bzangErik Hein SchmidtTranslator and author, founder of Rangjung Yeshe Translations and Publications
Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo born 1939-Alyce ZeoliEnthroned 1988, Palyul
Lama Chökyi Nyima -bla ma chos kyi nyi ma Richard Barron -
Pema Chödrön born 1936pad ma chos sgronDeirdre Blomfield-Brown-
Gyurme Dorje -'gyur med rdo rje--
Geshe Ngawang Wangyal 1901–1983ngag dbang dbang rgyal--
Thubten Chodron born 1950thub bstan chos sgronCherry Greene-
Tsultrim Allione born 1947tshul khrims AllioneJoan Rousmanière Ewing-

See also

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References

  1. "Lord Jigten Sumgön - Founder of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage". Drikung Kagyu Official Website. Retrieved 2013-10-07.