Vairocanavajra

Vairocanavajra (also known as Vairocana and Vairocanaraksita) was a 12th-century Indian Buddhist master and alchemist who studied at the monastery of Nalanda. He is known in particular for his work in the translations of the Charyapadas which have been described as "having a lasting effect on the literary history of Tibetan Buddhism."

Life Vairocanavajra's biography was written by his Tibetan student, Zhang Yudrakpa Tsöndru Drakpa, shortly after his death and was intended to be a eulogy to his master.

Vairochanavajra was born in the 12th century in the city of Sonapura in the region of Dakshina Kosala which is just south of Magadha. From the age of 12, he travelled with his uncle, who was a non-Buddhist, to different parts of India including Western India, Magadha, and Varanasi. During his travels, he met a yogin who initiated him into the practice of the bodhisattva, Manjushri.

These lineages include the transmission of Maitripada's commentaries of the dohā literature, caṇḍālī, Vajravārāhī and Hevajra practices.

Works Eight original works and twenty translations have been attributed to Vairocanavajra. He is best known within the Tibetan tradition, for his translations of the Charyapada songs of the mahasiddhas. His translations include the work of Tilopa, Virupa and Saraha. In particular, his translation of the Dohākosa of Saraha was studied in much detail many centuries later by Taranatha.

The known works of Vairocanavajra include:

Prajnaparicchedapanjika Śisyalekhatippana Śiksākusumamañjari Raktayamārisādhana Sadanggayogālokakrama

Works that Vairocanaraksita translated into the Tibetan language include:

Dohākosanāmamahāmudropadeśa of Saraha Pāramitāsamāsa of Āryaśūra Mahisānasādhana of Dharmakirti The Prajñāpāramitāhṛdaya more commonly known as the Heart Sutra Kakhadohātippana of Saraha Dohākosa of Tilopa Dohākosa of Birbapa Dohākosapañjikā of Srīvairocanavajra