Textual Evidence for Sino-Tibetan Buddhism in Xixia

Abstract The article introduces four case studies to argue for the existence of Sino-Tibetan Buddhism in the Xixia Kingdom (1038–1227). The first case is based on the Yuan period (1271–1368) ritual compilations by the Tangut monk Yixing Huijue 一行慧覺 (d. 1319?); the three others are based on material dating from the Xixia period. The study examines textual examples of Sino-Tibetan intercourse and concludes that the major framework for exchange was Avataṃsaka Buddhism, which adopted elements of Tibetan Buddhism in a discourse generally limited to the Sinitic agenda. One example demonstrates a divergent perspective: Sinitic commentarial devices are used to pursue a generally Tibetan agenda. The four case studies confirm the existence of Sino-Tibetan predispositions in Tangut Buddhism, but do not provide sufficient information to determine its broader scope.