Imagine walking through the windswept plateaus of Amdo in the late 16th century—monasteries clinging to rocky hillsides, the air alive with the chant of mantras. Into that scene stepped Taranatha (1575–1634), a prodigy whose intellectual curiosity and devotion to Buddha-nature set him apart. Born as Kelsang Gyatso, he later adopted “Taranatha,” meaning “He Who Saves,” and went on to become the most celebrated scholar of the Jonang school.

His signature achievement was the crystal-clear exposition of the shentong view—“empty of other”—which argues that ultimate reality is not mere void but brimming with luminous buddha-nature. Taranatha left no stone unturned: travelling to Lhasa, engaging in debates with leading Gelug and Kagyu masters, and even journeying to India and China in search of rare texts. That adventurous spirit led to the monumental History of Buddhism in India and Tibet, a twelve-volume saga weaving together centuries of teachings, lineages, and biographical sketches.

His influence ripples into the present day. After centuries of suppression under the 17th-century Gelug establishment, Jonang monasteries began to flourish again in the 1980s across Qinghai and Sichuan, rekindling interest in Taranatha’s work. International scholars, including Andrew Quintman, have produced fresh English translations of his histories—perfect timing for the global surge in mindfulness and Buddhist studies.

On the ground, Jonang communities in exile—particularly in Solan district, India—celebrate annual gatherings to honor Taranatha’s legacy, blending traditional rituals with modern humanitarian projects. Even social-media-savvy young practitioners are streaming live debates on shentong versus rangtong views, proving that a 400-year-old tradition can still feel as vibrant as ever. Taranatha’s footprints continue to echo across hills and hearts alike, reminding everyone that the seed of awakening can sprout anywhere—even in the harshest terrain.