Buddha-Nature and a Dialectic of Presence and Absence in the Works of Mi-pham
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|TileDescription=A key dissertation on Mipam's interpretation of buddha-nature. | |TileDescription=A key dissertation on Mipam's interpretation of buddha-nature. | ||
| + | |BookPerson={{Book-person | ||
| + | |PersonPage=Duckworth, D. | ||
| + | |PersonName=Douglas Samuel Duckworth | ||
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| − | |BookToc=* {{i|Abstract i}} | + | |BookToc=* {{i|Abstract|i}} |
| − | * {{i|Acknowledgements iii}} | + | * {{i|Acknowledgements|iii}} |
| − | * {{i|Introduction 1}} | + | * {{i|Introduction|1}} |
| − | * {{i|Historical Context 1}} | + | * {{i|Historical Context|1}} |
| − | * {{i|Monastic Colleges and Buddhist Education 9}} | + | * {{i|Monastic Colleges and Buddhist Education|9}} |
| − | * {{i|Epistemology and Negative Dialectics 13}} | + | * {{i|Epistemology and Negative Dialectics|13}} |
| − | * {{i|Buddha-Nature 15}} | + | * {{i|Buddha-Nature|15}} |
| − | * {{i|Summary of Contents 18}} | + | * {{i|Summary of Contents|18}} |
| − | * {{i|Interpretive Context 24}} | + | * {{i|Interpretive Context|24}} |
| − | * {{i|Chapter 1: Buddha-Nature and the Unity of the Two Truths 27}} | + | * {{i|Chapter 1: Buddha-Nature and the Unity of the Two Truths|27}} |
| − | * {{i|Introduction 27}} | + | * {{i|Introduction|27}} |
| − | * {{i|Mi-pham's Synthesis 31}} | + | * {{i|Mi-pham's Synthesis|31}} |
| − | * {{i|Two Truths 35}} | + | * {{i|Two Truths|35}} |
| − | * {{i|Buddha-Nature as the Unity of Appearance and Emptiness 45}} | + | * {{i|Buddha-Nature as the Unity of Appearance and Emptiness|45}} |
| − | * {{i|Buddha-Nature as the Definitive Meaning 56}} | + | * {{i|Buddha-Nature as the Definitive Meaning|56}} |
* {{i|Conclusion 63}} | * {{i|Conclusion 63}} | ||
* {{i|Chapter 2: Yogācāra, Prāsaṅgika, and the Middle Way 64}} | * {{i|Chapter 2: Yogācāra, Prāsaṅgika, and the Middle Way 64}} | ||
| − | * {{i|Introduction 64}} | + | * {{i|Introduction|64}} |
| − | * {{i|Middle Way and Mind- | + | * {{i|Middle Way and Mind-Only|64}} |
| − | * {{i|Foundations of Yogācāra 67}} | + | * {{i|Foundations of Yogācāra|67}} |
| − | * {{i|Svātantrika-Prāsaṅgika 73}} | + | * {{i|Svātantrika-Prāsaṅgika|73}} |
| − | * {{i|Dialectical Ascent 90}} | + | * {{i|Dialectical Ascent|90}} |
| − | * {{i|Conclusion 99}} | + | * {{i|Conclusion|99}} |
| − | * {{i|Chapter 3: The Present Absence 101}} | + | * {{i|Chapter 3: The Present Absence|101}} |
| − | * {{i|Introduction 101}} | + | * {{i|Introduction|101}} |
| − | * {{i|Other-Emptiness in the Jo-nang 102}} | + | * {{i|Other-Emptiness in the Jo-nang|102}} |
| − | * {{i|Other-Emptiness and the Nying-ma: Lo-chen Dharma Śrī 115}} | + | * {{i|Other-Emptiness and the Nying-ma: Lo-chen Dharma Śrī|115}} |
| − | * {{i|Another Emptiness? Emptiness of Self/Other 122}} | + | * {{i|Another Emptiness? Emptiness of Self/Other|122}} |
| − | * {{i|Delineating Phenomena and Suchness 125}} | + | * {{i|Delineating Phenomena and Suchness|125}} |
| − | * {{i|Delineating Emptiness 135}} | + | * {{i|Delineating Emptiness|135}} |
| − | * {{i|Emptiness as the Unity of Appearance and Emptiness 141}} | + | * {{i|Emptiness as the Unity of Appearance and Emptiness|141}} |
| − | * {{i|Conclusion 149}} | + | * {{i|Conclusion|149}} |
| − | * {{i|Chapter 4: Buddha—Nature and the Indivisible Ground and Fruition 151}} | + | * {{i|Chapter 4: Buddha—Nature and the Indivisible Ground and Fruition 151|}} |
| − | * {{i|Introduction 151}} | + | * {{i|Introduction|151}} |
| − | * {{i|Delineating the Views on Buddha-Nature 151}} | + | * {{i|Delineating the Views on Buddha-Nature|151}} |
| − | * {{i|Buddha-Nature as Heritage, Buddha-Nature as the Ground 160}} | + | * {{i|Buddha-Nature as Heritage, Buddha-Nature as the Ground|160}} |
| − | * {{i|Delineating Appearance and Reality 170}} | + | * {{i|Delineating Appearance and Reality|170}} |
| − | * {{i|Establishing Buddha-Nature: The Immanent Buddha 180}} | + | * {{i|Establishing Buddha-Nature: The Immanent Buddha|180}} |
| − | * {{i|Establishing Appearances as Divine 189}} | + | * {{i|Establishing Appearances as Divine|189}} |
| − | * {{i|Buddha-Nature and a Difference Between Sūtra and Mantra 200}} | + | * {{i|Buddha-Nature and a Difference Between Sūtra and Mantra|200}} |
| − | * {{i|Buddha-Nature as the Ground of the Great Perfection 212}} | + | * {{i|Buddha-Nature as the Ground of the Great Perfection|212}} |
| − | * {{i|Conclusion 214}} | + | * {{i|Conclusion|214}} |
| − | * {{i|Concluding Remarks 216}} | + | * {{i|Concluding Remarks|216}} |
| − | * {{i|Document 1 221}} | + | * {{i|Document 1|221}} |
| − | * {{i|Introduction 221}} | + | * {{i|Introduction|221}} |
| − | * {{i|Lion's Roar: Exposition of Buddha-Nature 221}} | + | * {{i|Lion's Roar: Exposition of Buddha-Nature|221}} |
| − | * {{i|1. Stating Other Traditions 224}} | + | * {{i|1. Stating Other Traditions|224}} |
| − | * {{i|2. Presenting Our Own Authentic Tradition 228}} | + | * {{i|2. Presenting Our Own Authentic Tradition|228}} |
| − | * {{i|1. The Meaning of the First Verse “Because the body of the perfect Buddha is radiant” 228}} | + | * {{i|1. The Meaning of the First Verse “Because the body of the perfect Buddha is radiant”|228}} |
* {{i|2. The Meaning of the Second Verse “Because suchness is indivisible” 235}} | * {{i|2. The Meaning of the Second Verse “Because suchness is indivisible” 235}} | ||
* {{i|3. The Meaning of the Third Verse “Because of possessing heritage” 239}} | * {{i|3. The Meaning of the Third Verse “Because of possessing heritage” 239}} | ||
| − | * {{i|1. Refuting the View that (the Basic Element) is Truly Established and Not Empty 245}} | + | * {{i|1. Refuting the View that (the Basic Element) is Truly Established and Not Empty|245}} |
| − | * {{i|2. Refuting the View that (the Basic Element) is a Void Emptiness 247}} | + | * {{i|2. Refuting the View that (the Basic Element) is a Void Emptiness|247}} |
| − | * {{i|3. Refuting the Apprehension of (the Basic Element) as Impermanent and Conditioned 248}} | + | * {{i|3. Refuting the Apprehension of (the Basic Element) as Impermanent and Conditioned|248}} |
| − | * {{i|Document 2 261}} | + | * {{i|Document 2|261}} |
| − | * {{i|Introduction 261}} | + | * {{i|Introduction|261}} |
| − | * {{i|Notes on the Essential Points of (Mi-pham's) Exposition (of Buddha-Nature) 261}} | + | * {{i|Notes on the Essential Points of (Mi-pham's) Exposition (of Buddha-Nature)|261}} |
| − | * {{i|Document 3 272}} | + | * {{i|Document 3|272}} |
| − | * {{i|Introduction 272}} | + | * {{i|Introduction|272}} |
| − | * {{i|Excerpt from Excerpt from Roar of the Fearless Lion (48.2-97.4) 272}} | + | * {{i|Excerpt from Excerpt from Roar of the Fearless Lion (48.2-97.4)|272}} |
| − | * {{i|1. The Subject of the Extensive Discussion Here, an Explanation of the Progression of Profound Points of the Ground, Path, and Fruition of the Sūtra Perfection Vehicle 273}} | + | * {{i|1. The Subject of the Extensive Discussion Here, an Explanation of the Progression of Profound Points of the Ground, Path, and Fruition of the Sūtra Perfection Vehicle|273}} |
| − | * {{i|1. The Manner of the Teaching of the Profound Abiding Reality of the Definitive Meaning of the Perfection Vehicle 274}} | + | * {{i|1. The Manner of the Teaching of the Profound Abiding Reality of the Definitive Meaning of the Perfection Vehicle|274}} |
| − | * {{i|1. The Progression of the Wheels of Doctrine which are the Means of Teaching the Definitive Meaning of the Abiding Reality 274}} | + | * {{i|1. The Progression of the Wheels of Doctrine which are the Means of Teaching the Definitive Meaning of the Abiding Reality|274}} |
| − | * {{i|1. The Wheels of Doctrine Indicated in the Saṃdhinirmocanasūtra 274}} | + | * {{i|1. The Wheels of Doctrine Indicated in the Saṃdhinirmocanasūtra|274}} |
| − | * {{i|1. Presenting Scripture 274}} | + | * {{i|1. Presenting Scripture|274}} |
| − | * {{i|2. Establishing the Reason for That Being the Way It Is 279}} | + | * {{i|2. Establishing the Reason for That Being the Way It Is|279}} |
| − | * {{i|2. The Wheels of Doctrine Indicated in the Dhāraṇīśvararājaparipṛcchā 289}} | + | * {{i|2. The Wheels of Doctrine Indicated in the Dhāraṇīśvararājaparipṛcchā| 289}} |
| − | * {{i|1. Presenting Scripture 289}} | + | * {{i|1. Presenting Scripture|289}} |
| − | * {{i|2. Establishing (the Reason for That Being) the Way It Is 293}} | + | * {{i|2. Establishing (the Reason for That Being) the Way It Is|293}} |
| − | * {{i|3. In Accord with That, the Way They are Indicated in the Nirvāṇa(sūtra) and so forth (75.5) 296}} | + | * {{i|3. In Accord with That, the Way They are Indicated in the Nirvāṇa(sūtra) and so forth (75.5)|296}} |
| − | * {{i|1. Presenting Scripture 296}} | + | * {{i|1. Presenting Scripture|296}} |
| − | * {{i|1. Presenting Scripture from the Nirvāṇasūtra 296}} | + | * {{i|1. Presenting Scripture from the Nirvāṇasūtra|296}} |
| − | * {{i|2. Presenting Scripture from the Aṅgulimālīyasūtra 298}} | + | * {{i|2. Presenting Scripture from the Aṅgulimālīyasūtra|298}} |
| − | * {{i|2. Establishing through Reasoning That Being the Way It Is 300}} | + | * {{i|2. Establishing through Reasoning That Being the Way It Is|300}} |
| − | * {{i|3. An Appended Identification of the Scriptural Collections of Definitive Meaning 306}} | + | * {{i|3. An Appended Identification of the Scriptural Collections of Definitive Meaning|306}} |
| − | * {{i|2. The Way that These Commentaries on Buddha’s Viewpoint are Supreme 307}} | + | * {{i|2. The Way that These Commentaries on Buddha’s Viewpoint are Supreme|307}} |
| − | * {{i|Bibliography 313}} | + | * {{i|Bibliography|313}} |
| − | * {{i|Tibetan Sources 313}} | + | * {{i|Tibetan Sources|313}} |
| − | * {{i|Non-Tibetan Sources 318}} | + | * {{i|Non-Tibetan Sources|318}} |
|AddRelatedTab=No | |AddRelatedTab=No | ||
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Revision as of 15:59, 6 June 2019
Abstract
This dissertation addresses the relationship between metaphysical presence and absence (emptiness) in Buddhism through a focus on the Nying-ma tradition as articulated in the works of Mi-pham ( 'ju mi pham rgya mtsho, 1846-1912), a great synthesizer of Buddhist doctrine and Nying-ma philosophy. I draw widely from his writings on Yogācāra, Madhyamaka, and tantra to discuss the significance of an ontological "ground" (gzhi), or Buddha-nature, as the central theme in his overall interpretative scheme. Mi-pham was a prolific writer on a variety of topics, and had a remarkable ability to synthesize diverse strands of thought. The tradition of the Nying-ma is a complex one, and there are many divergent and competing voices that lay claim to the tradition. I will try to present important facets of this central theme in Mi-pham’s philosophy of Nying-ma, and show how he uses a dialectic of presence and absence around which he discusses a unified ground.
Mi-pham was a prominent figure in the Tibetan non-sectarian (ris med) movement in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He most notably brought esoteric Nying-ma doctrines into conversation with the exoteric scholastic discourses of his day. Mi-pham formulates the Nying-ma tradition of his predecessors Long-chen-pa (klong chen rab 'byam, 1308-1364) and Rong-zom (rong zom chos kyi bzang po, ca. 11th c.) in response to traditions of "other-emptiness," through which he distinguishes his Nying-ma tradition.
Buddha-nature is a theme in Mi-pham's work that has a strong association with tantra in the Nying-ma tradition. His affirmation of the presence of Buddha-nature as intrinsic within the ground of existence shares predominant characteristics of the discourses of tantra in the Nying-ma tradition and, in particular, the Great Perfection (rdzogs chen). The Great Perfection is an antischolastic textual and meditative tradition that consistently evades systematic analysis, and in a fundamental way is antithetical to abstract conceptual determination. Mi-pham creatively formulates the esoteric discourses that have defined the Nying-ma tradition—the Great Perfection and the tantric tradition of the Guhyagarbha—in terms of central exoteric discourses of Buddhism: Buddha-nature, the Middle Way, and Buddhist epistemological systems. This dissertation explores a range of topics within Mi-pham's thought to underscore Buddha-nature and a dialectic of presence and absence as a central thread that runs through his interpretative system.
| Citation | Duckworth, Douglas S. "Buddha-Nature and a Dialectic of Presence and Absence in the Works of Mi-Pham (mi pham rgya mtsho)." PhD Diss, University of Virginia, 2005. |
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