Yándìng 嚴定 (1903-1957)
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Yándìng 嚴定 (1903-1957) taught Tibetan language and Tibetan Buddhism 西密 in China in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s.
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Yándìng 嚴定 was born in Liúyáng County 瀏陽縣, Hú'nán 湖南. He was tonsured and received full ordination at a local temple after he graduated in from high school in 1921 (Mínguó 民國 10). The year of his ordination, he enrolled in a lecture studies series at Kāifú Temple 開福寺 in Chángshā 長沙, which was run by Kōngyě 空也. While in this program Yándìng became friends with one of his fellow students named Guānkōng 觀空. The two would study, travel, and teach together for more than a decade. The following year the pair enrolled in the first class at the Wǔchāng Buddhist Seminary 武昌佛學院 and graduated in 1924.
After graduating, Yándìng traveled with Fǎzūn 法尊, Guānkōng 觀空, and Fǎfǎng 法舫 to Běijīng 北京 where they became part of the first (and only) class at the nascent Buddhist Tibetan Language College 藏文學院 started by Dàyǒng 大勇. Classes began in October of 1924. In May of 1925 the students and teachers became the Residing-in-Tibet Dharma Studies Group 留藏學法團 and began to prepare to travel to Tibet. The group reached Xīkāng 西康, but most, including Yándìng, never made it to Tibet. In 1934 he was invited by Tàixū 太虛 to teach at the Sino-Tibetan Institute 漢藏教理院 in Chóngqìng 重慶. Yándìng became the Chair of the Tibetan Language Department at the school.
Yándìng eventually became the abbot of Bǎochéng Temple 寶城寺 in Róngchāng County 榮昌縣 (west of Chóngqìng). He died there in 1957.