Guardian of a Dying Flame: Sariputra (c. 1335-1426) and the End of Late Indian Buddhism

Arthur McKeown's book explores the continuation of Buddhism in India after the thirteenth century, focusing on the life of Śāriputra, the last known abbot of the Bodhgayā Mahāvihāra. It provides insight into the legacy of Indian Buddhism in Nepal, Tibet, and China, highlighting its relationship with Brahmanism and Islam and its enduring importance in Central, East, and Southeast Asia.

Format: Hardback
Length: 480 pages
Publication date: 03 September 2019
Publisher: Harvard University Press

Arthur McKeown presents the first comprehensive analysis of the continuation of Buddhism in India after the thirteenth century. This study explores the evolution of later Indian Buddhism by delving into the life of Śāriputra (c. 1335–1426), the last known abbot of the Bodhgayā Mahāvihāra, whose presence spans two centuries and significantly contributes to the longevity of Indian Buddhism. Additionally, this work offers insights into the legacy of Indian Buddhism in fifteenth-century Nepal, Tibet, and China. McKeown traces Śāriputra's travels and activities across pan-Buddhist Asia, encompassing restoration projects in Nepal, the establishment of tantric lineages in Tibet, and the supervision of the reconstruction of the Mahābodhi temple in Ming Dynasty Beijing.

McKeown's examination primarily focuses on newly discovered Tibetan and Chinese biographies of Śāriputra, alongside a comprehensive examination of historical documents in Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Chinese. These sources reveal a fundamental reevaluation of later Indian Buddhism, its interactions with Brahmanism and Islam, and its enduring significance in Central, East, and Southeast Asia.

Śāriputra's life and teachings play a pivotal role in this study. Born in the Kāśmir region of present-day India, he was a direct disciple of the Buddha and became the foremost exponent of the Mahāyāna tradition. His travels and teachings took him across Asia, where he established numerous monasteries and schools and propagated the teachings of the Buddha.

One of the significant aspects of Śāriputra's legacy is his role in restoring the Swayambhunātha caitya in Nepal. This ancient Buddhist temple, which had been damaged by earthquakes, was rebuilt under Śāriputra's guidance, and it became a major center of Buddhist pilgrimage and learning. His efforts also led to the establishment of tantric lineages in Tibet, which further enriched the Buddhist tradition in that region.

In China, Śāriputra's influence was particularly significant. He oversaw the reconstruction of the Mahābodhi temple in Ming Dynasty Beijing, which is considered one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. His teachings and teachings also gained popularity among Chinese scholars and monastics, leading to the spread of Buddhism in that country.

McKeown's work provides a valuable contribution to the study of Indian Buddhism and its global impact. By examining the life and teachings of Śāriputra, he sheds light on the evolution of later Indian Buddhism and its relationship with other religious and cultural traditions. His analysis also highlights the enduring importance of Indian Buddhism in Central, East, and Southeast Asia, and its role in shaping the cultural and religious landscape of the region.

In conclusion, Arthur McKeown's study on the continuation of Buddhism in India after the thirteenth century is a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the evolution of later Indian Buddhism. Through the life and teachings of Śāriputra, McKeown provides a deep understanding of the legacy of Indian Buddhism in fifteenth-century Nepal, Tibet, and China. His work contributes to our understanding of the global spread of Buddhism and its enduring significance in shaping the cultural and religious landscape of the world.

Weight: 992g
Dimension: 182 x 262 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674984356