Śāntarakṣita

Śāntarakṣita was a prominent Indian Buddhist philosopher and scholar of the 8th century, renowned for integrating different Buddhist schools—particularly the Yogacara and Madhyamaka traditions—into a comprehensive philosophical system. He emphasized the importance of both rational reasoning and meditation for understanding the nature of reality and achieving enlightenment. Śāntarakṣita also played a key role in transmitting Buddhist teachings to Tibet, influencing the development of Tibetan Buddhism. His work fostered dialogue between different philosophical views, aiming to reconcile apparent contradictions and promote a unified understanding of the path toward spiritual awakening.