The University of Nalanda c11.91

c11.91

Now from some leading facts of the life of Śāntarakṣita, *viz.*, that he built a monastery in Tibet in 749 and died there in 762 A. D., we can at least say this much that Śāntarakṣita must have written his book some years before he proceeded to Tibet, i. e., say about 730 A. D. Thus, if the work was written after Kumārila died, then we can say that Kumārila must have lived in c. 700 A.D., a date which has been generally accepted²; if it was written when Kumārila still lived and preached as a contemporary of Śāntarakṣita then Kumārila must be placed in the first half of 700 A. D. If we take the first alternative, even then Kumārila cannot be placed earlier than 700 A. D.; consequently the account of Taranath which makes him contemporaneous with Dharmakīrti will have to be dismissed as inspired by religious bigotry and false pride.