Reimagining Tradition: Ratna Lingpa's "Seminal Heart of Luminous Expanse" Revelations (klong gsal snying thig)

Abstract
Within the Great Perfection tradition, the “Seminal Heart” (snying thig) teachings developed between the 11th and 14th centuries. In the 14th and 15th centuries, numerous figures contributed to the expansion of this tradition. This paper will mainly focus on Ratna Lingpa (1403-1478), one of the most influential scholars and Treasure revealers. Ratna Lingpa introduced a unique tradition known as the Seminal Heart of Luminous Expanse (klong gsal snying thig), which reimagined the Seminal Heart of Ḍākinīs (mkha’‘gro snying thig), one of the most important Seminal Heart revelations since the 14th century. I will use historical analysis and close textual examination, drawing on an interdisciplinary approach, in order to explore the ways in which Ratna Lingpa’s Seminal Heart of Luminous Expanse differs from other the Seminal Heart of Ḍākinīs traditions. Finally, this paper will explore the authorship of the earliest version of The Tantra of Blazing Expanse Luminosity (klong gsal ‘bar ma rgyud), an important source for the Seminal Heart of Ḍākinīs tradition, and conclude with future research directions.