Cataphatic Emptiness: rGyal-tshab on the Buddha-essence Theory of Asaṅga's Ratnagotravibhāgavyākhyā

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**{{i|3. The Three Stages of Teaching according to the DIR|49}}
 
**{{i|3. The Three Stages of Teaching according to the DIR|49}}
 
***{{i|Establishing the unique vehicle|49}}
 
***{{i|Establishing the unique vehicle|49}}
***{{i|As the distinctive presentation of the Prāsaṅgika-Mādhyamika viewpoint|54}}
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***{{i|As the distinctive presentation of the Prāsaṅgika-Mādhyamika <br>viewpoint|54}}
 
**{{i|4. The ''Prajñāpāramitā-sūtra'' and the TGS|56}}
 
**{{i|4. The ''Prajñāpāramitā-sūtra'' and the TGS|56}}
 
**{{i|5. The TGS as Being Definitive|62}}
 
**{{i|5. The TGS as Being Definitive|62}}
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***{{i|Refuting Buddha-essence as a permanent entity|72}}
 
***{{i|Refuting Buddha-essence as a permanent entity|72}}
 
***{{i|Refuting Buddha-essence as being endowed with twofold purities|77}}
 
***{{i|Refuting Buddha-essence as being endowed with twofold purities|77}}
*{{i|2. Critique of the Mainstream Positions|81}}
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**{{i|2. Critique of the Mainstream Positions|81}}
'Gos-lo's position on Buddha-essence 84
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***{{i|'Gos-lo's position on Buddha-essence|84}}
dGe-lugs-pa scholars' responses 89  
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***{{i|dGe-lugs-pa scholars' responses|89}}
 
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**{{i|3. A Comparison with Critiques of "Original-enlightenment" theory in Modern Chinese Buddhism|94}}
3. A Comparison with Critiques of "Original-enlightenment" theory in Modern Chinese
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***{{i|A comparison of interpretations between 'Gos-lo and Zongmi|96}}
Buddhism 94
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***{{i|Modern Chinese Critiques of "Original-enlightenment"|99}}
A comparison of interpretations between 'Gos-lo and Zongmi 96
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*{{i|Chapter 4: Analysis of the Title and Textural Structure|110}}
Modern Chinese Critiques of "Original-enlightenment" 99
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**{{i|1. The Title "''Mahāyānottaratantra''" and Its Implication|110}}
Chapter 4: Analysis of the Title and Textural Structure 110
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**{{i|2. The Seven Vajra-Like Bases|114}}
1. The Title "Mahiiyiinottaratantra"and Its Implication 110
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***{{i|Two aspects|114}}
2. The Seven Vajra-Like Bases 114
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***{{i|rGyal-tshab's revision of rNgog-lo's "two wheels" theory |116}}
Two aspects 114
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***{{i|The first three bases as ultimate fruition|118}}
rGyal-tshab's revision of rNgog-lo's "two wheels" theory 116
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***{{i|The last four bases as cause and conditions|119}}
The first three bases as ultimate fruition 118
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3. The Term "Ratnagotra" and the Textual Structure of RGV 121
The last four bases as cause and conditions 119
 
3. The Term "Ratnagotra" and the Textual Structure ofRGV 121
 
 
4. rGyal-tshab on the Fourfold Ratnagotra as Cause and Conditions 124
 
4. rGyal-tshab on the Fourfold Ratnagotra as Cause and Conditions 124
 
The Element as a cause according to RGV I.16 124
 
The Element as a cause according to RGV I.16 124

Revision as of 15:08, 30 April 2020

Cataphatic Emptiness: rGyal-tshab on the Buddha-essence Theory of Asaṅga's Ratnagotravibhāgavyākhyā
Dissertation
Dissertation

Abstract

This doctoral dissertation studies the Ratnagotravibhāga (Uttaratantra), the only surviving Indian Buddhist treatise on the Buddha-essence doctrine, by way of one of its major Tibetan commentaries, rGyal-tshab Dar-ma-rin-chen (1364-1432)'s Theg pa chen po rGyud bla ma'i ṭīkā. This project consists of three parts: a special edition of the first chapter of the Theg pa chen po rGyud bia ma'i ṭīkā, an English translation of the selected sections of that commentary, and a comparative analysis which follows six distinct lines of inquiry.
      The six lines are: rGyal-tshab's doctrinal classification of the text; his critiques of absolutism, skepticism, and quietism in connection with diverse interpretations of the Buddha-essence doctrine in Tibetan traditions as well as a tentative comparison with critiques of the theory of "Original-enlightenment" in modern Chinese Buddhism; his analysis of the title of Tibetan version and the structure of the text; rGyal-tshab's philosophical positions on reality, Element, and natural luminosity of the mind; his expositions of the tripartite Buddha-essence, its ten aspects, and the eighteen similes; and the notion "spiritual gene" understood by dGe-lugs-pas.
      This comparative approach will provide a broader synthetic understanding of the role that Buddha-essence played as a doctrinal genre in Tibetan intellectual history.

Citation Jiang, Bo. "Cataphatic Emptiness: rGyal-tshab on the Buddha-Essence Theory of Asaṅga's Ratnagotravibhāgavyākhyā." PhD diss., Columbia University, 2008.