As a result of their combined endeavours, Buddhism started flourishing in Tibet, and kindled a strong desire amongst Tibetans for learning more from Indian scholars about the original essences of the faith. Thus, in the 9th century itself, King Ralpachan invited several Indian pundits to translate Sanskrit works into Tibetan, and the process continued to the 11th century with the invitation to Atisa, who, born in 980 AD, had acquired proficiency in the tri-pitakas of the Mahayana, the high metaphysics of the Madhyamika and Yogacharya schools and the four classes of Tantras at quite an early age and had at 19, received the sacred vows from Sila Rakshita, then the Mahasanghika Acharya of Odantapuri, who also gave him the title of Dipankara Srigyana. A biographical account of Atisa mentioning -

“In the eastern part of India in the country of Sahor, there is the famous city of Bhagal or Bhangala. Dipankara was born in the family of the king of this city. His parents were Raja Kalyanasri and Prabhavati. Towards the north of the Raja Prasada is situated the Vikramapuri (Vikramshila) and the king and the queen followed by 500 chariots visited the Mahavihara for offering puja (worship)” and more lies placed in the Tibetan text ‘Guru Gunak Dharmakara’.

To be continued....