Kamalashila

Kamalashila (Skt. Kamalaśīla; Tib. Pemé Ngang Tsul; Wyl. padma'i ngang tshul) (8th century) - This master was the main disciple of the great abbot Shantarakshita. He famously defeated a Chinese master of the Hashang school (whose personal name is sometimes given as Mahayana Hashang) in the great debate at Samyé, which took place around 846 AD, thereby ensuring that the Tibetans followed the Indian tradition of Madhyamika which had flourished at the great Nalanda Monastery. His most famous compositions are the three texts entitled Stages of Meditation, which H.H. the Dalai Lama has taught on several times.

Principal Writings

• Commentary on the Difficult Points of the Compendium of Reality (Tattvasaṃgraha-pañjikā)
• Commentary on the Difficult Points of the Ornament of the Middle Way (Skt. Madhyamakālaṅkārapañjikā; Wyl. dbu ma'i rgyan gyi dka' 'grel)
• Light of the Middle Way (Skt. Madhyamakāloka; Wyl. dbu ma snang ba)
• Stages of Meditation (Skt. Bhāvanākrama)