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Zhouyang Ma

• This paper is a study of a Tangut Buddhist text translated from a Tibetan treatise on Buddhist epistemology and logic (Skt. pramāṇa, Tib. tshad ma), titled Sew\(^{2}\) ˑjij\(^{1}\) ˑo\(^{2}\) śjij\(^{1}\) dźju\(^{1}\) sji\(^{2}\) lju̱\(^{2}\) tshjịj\(^{2}\) [The Ornament that Clarifies the Introduction to Speculative Thinking] (Tib. *rTog ge la ’jug pa gsal bar byed pa’i rgyan). The paper identifies the author of the text, ‘Master Bodhi Diligence of Central Tibet’ (Tang. Lji\(^{2}\) phə\(^{1}\) gu\(^{2}\) lhjịj\(^{2}\) Po1 tjɨj\(^{1}\) ˑjɨr\(^{2}\) dzji̱j\(^{2}\)), with Maja Jangchup Tsöndrü (d. 1185, Tib. rMa bya Byang chub brtson ’grus). Based on an appraisal of the content of the work, this paper observes that the treatise belongs to the genre of summary (Tib. bsdus pa) in the Sangpu Neutok (Tib. gSang phu ne’u thog) scholastic tradition of Buddhist epistemology. In addition to the text’s content, this paper also discusses some features of Tangut manuscripts themselves and attempts to peer into the classroom of Tangut monks. The paper further explores the connection between Maja and the Tangut Empire, especially Maja’s ties to Mt. Mati (Chin. Mati shan 馬蹄山). It concludes that he might have been the same person as ‘Grand Master Diligence’ (Tang. Khu\(^{1}\) dźjij\(^{1}\) mər\(^{2}\) dzji̱j\(^{2}\)), who transmitted certain teachings of the Great Seal (Skt. mahāmudrā, Tib. phyag rgya chen po) to the Tanguts.