buddhist philosophy in theory and practiceby herbert v. guenther
TRANSCRIPT
Buddhist Philosophy in Theory and Practice by Herbert V. GuentherReview by: Nancy R. LethcoeJournal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 95, No. 1 (Jan. - Mar., 1975), p. 134Published by: American Oriental SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/599248 .
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Journal of the American Oriental Society 95.1 (1975) Journal of the American Oriental Society 95.1 (1975) Journal of the American Oriental Society 95.1 (1975) Journal of the American Oriental Society 95.1 (1975)
write an introduction stressing the universality of man's highest religious aspirations and experiences, and quite another to so loosely translate the text that it appears to support one's position. To take just one example. Mas- car6's translation speaks twice of "the land of nirvana." A check of the Pali text reveals that in the first instance [v. 369] he is translating tato nibbanam ehisi. In the second case [v. 382], it is akataiiuii. In neither instance does the Pali in any way suggest a "land of nirvana."
NANCY R. LETHCOE STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Buddhist Philosophy in Theory and Practice. By HER- BERT V. GUENTHER. Pp. 240. PENGUIN BOOKS INC.
$2.45.
Buddhist Philosophy in Theory and Practice makes a welcomed contribution to our growing sources on and increasing understanding of Tibetan Buddhism. In his latest work, Prof. Guenther has translated two Tibetan- works which comment from different doctrinal perspec- tives on some of the major problems of Buddhist philoso- phy. "The Jewel Garland of the Dissertation on Philo-
sophical Systems" speaks for the doctrinally conservative element in the Tibetan community which recognized only the authority of Indian works, whereas "The Treasure which is like a Wish-Fulfilling Gem" represents the views of those who emphasized contributions to Buddhist
philosophy made in Tibet. Together they provide an interesting and fruitful approach to the major problems of Buddhist philosophy as perceived by the Tibetan community.
NANCY R. LETHCOE STANFORD UNIVERSITY
write an introduction stressing the universality of man's highest religious aspirations and experiences, and quite another to so loosely translate the text that it appears to support one's position. To take just one example. Mas- car6's translation speaks twice of "the land of nirvana." A check of the Pali text reveals that in the first instance [v. 369] he is translating tato nibbanam ehisi. In the second case [v. 382], it is akataiiuii. In neither instance does the Pali in any way suggest a "land of nirvana."
NANCY R. LETHCOE STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Buddhist Philosophy in Theory and Practice. By HER- BERT V. GUENTHER. Pp. 240. PENGUIN BOOKS INC.
$2.45.
Buddhist Philosophy in Theory and Practice makes a welcomed contribution to our growing sources on and increasing understanding of Tibetan Buddhism. In his latest work, Prof. Guenther has translated two Tibetan- works which comment from different doctrinal perspec- tives on some of the major problems of Buddhist philoso- phy. "The Jewel Garland of the Dissertation on Philo-
sophical Systems" speaks for the doctrinally conservative element in the Tibetan community which recognized only the authority of Indian works, whereas "The Treasure which is like a Wish-Fulfilling Gem" represents the views of those who emphasized contributions to Buddhist
philosophy made in Tibet. Together they provide an interesting and fruitful approach to the major problems of Buddhist philosophy as perceived by the Tibetan community.
NANCY R. LETHCOE STANFORD UNIVERSITY
write an introduction stressing the universality of man's highest religious aspirations and experiences, and quite another to so loosely translate the text that it appears to support one's position. To take just one example. Mas- car6's translation speaks twice of "the land of nirvana." A check of the Pali text reveals that in the first instance [v. 369] he is translating tato nibbanam ehisi. In the second case [v. 382], it is akataiiuii. In neither instance does the Pali in any way suggest a "land of nirvana."
NANCY R. LETHCOE STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Buddhist Philosophy in Theory and Practice. By HER- BERT V. GUENTHER. Pp. 240. PENGUIN BOOKS INC.
$2.45.
Buddhist Philosophy in Theory and Practice makes a welcomed contribution to our growing sources on and increasing understanding of Tibetan Buddhism. In his latest work, Prof. Guenther has translated two Tibetan- works which comment from different doctrinal perspec- tives on some of the major problems of Buddhist philoso- phy. "The Jewel Garland of the Dissertation on Philo-
sophical Systems" speaks for the doctrinally conservative element in the Tibetan community which recognized only the authority of Indian works, whereas "The Treasure which is like a Wish-Fulfilling Gem" represents the views of those who emphasized contributions to Buddhist
philosophy made in Tibet. Together they provide an interesting and fruitful approach to the major problems of Buddhist philosophy as perceived by the Tibetan community.
NANCY R. LETHCOE STANFORD UNIVERSITY
write an introduction stressing the universality of man's highest religious aspirations and experiences, and quite another to so loosely translate the text that it appears to support one's position. To take just one example. Mas- car6's translation speaks twice of "the land of nirvana." A check of the Pali text reveals that in the first instance [v. 369] he is translating tato nibbanam ehisi. In the second case [v. 382], it is akataiiuii. In neither instance does the Pali in any way suggest a "land of nirvana."
NANCY R. LETHCOE STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Buddhist Philosophy in Theory and Practice. By HER- BERT V. GUENTHER. Pp. 240. PENGUIN BOOKS INC.
$2.45.
Buddhist Philosophy in Theory and Practice makes a welcomed contribution to our growing sources on and increasing understanding of Tibetan Buddhism. In his latest work, Prof. Guenther has translated two Tibetan- works which comment from different doctrinal perspec- tives on some of the major problems of Buddhist philoso- phy. "The Jewel Garland of the Dissertation on Philo-
sophical Systems" speaks for the doctrinally conservative element in the Tibetan community which recognized only the authority of Indian works, whereas "The Treasure which is like a Wish-Fulfilling Gem" represents the views of those who emphasized contributions to Buddhist
philosophy made in Tibet. Together they provide an interesting and fruitful approach to the major problems of Buddhist philosophy as perceived by the Tibetan community.
NANCY R. LETHCOE STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Certificates of Transmission on a Manuscript of the Maqamat of Hariri (MS. Cairo, Adab 105). By PIERRE A. MACKAY. (Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. New Series. Vol. 61, Pt. 4.) Pp. 48. 32 Facsimiles. Philadelphia: AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 1971. $4.00.
As the title indicates, this work is a study of the sama 'dt found on MS Cairo, Adab 105, which is the oldest extant manuscript of the Maqdmdt of al-Hariri. It was copied in A.H. 504/A.D. 1111, the year in which al-Hariri completed the Maqamdt, and bears an ijdzah in the author's own hand in favor of the copyist and owner of the MS, al-Mubarak b. Ahmad al-Ansar. (A.H. 475- 549). Aside from its antiquity and the autograph ijdzah, the manuscript is interesting because of the large number of samd~dt (28 in all), which have enabled the author to trace the reading history down to the year 683, the date
Certificates of Transmission on a Manuscript of the Maqamat of Hariri (MS. Cairo, Adab 105). By PIERRE A. MACKAY. (Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. New Series. Vol. 61, Pt. 4.) Pp. 48. 32 Facsimiles. Philadelphia: AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 1971. $4.00.
As the title indicates, this work is a study of the sama 'dt found on MS Cairo, Adab 105, which is the oldest extant manuscript of the Maqdmdt of al-Hariri. It was copied in A.H. 504/A.D. 1111, the year in which al-Hariri completed the Maqamdt, and bears an ijdzah in the author's own hand in favor of the copyist and owner of the MS, al-Mubarak b. Ahmad al-Ansar. (A.H. 475- 549). Aside from its antiquity and the autograph ijdzah, the manuscript is interesting because of the large number of samd~dt (28 in all), which have enabled the author to trace the reading history down to the year 683, the date
Certificates of Transmission on a Manuscript of the Maqamat of Hariri (MS. Cairo, Adab 105). By PIERRE A. MACKAY. (Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. New Series. Vol. 61, Pt. 4.) Pp. 48. 32 Facsimiles. Philadelphia: AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 1971. $4.00.
As the title indicates, this work is a study of the sama 'dt found on MS Cairo, Adab 105, which is the oldest extant manuscript of the Maqdmdt of al-Hariri. It was copied in A.H. 504/A.D. 1111, the year in which al-Hariri completed the Maqamdt, and bears an ijdzah in the author's own hand in favor of the copyist and owner of the MS, al-Mubarak b. Ahmad al-Ansar. (A.H. 475- 549). Aside from its antiquity and the autograph ijdzah, the manuscript is interesting because of the large number of samd~dt (28 in all), which have enabled the author to trace the reading history down to the year 683, the date
Certificates of Transmission on a Manuscript of the Maqamat of Hariri (MS. Cairo, Adab 105). By PIERRE A. MACKAY. (Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. New Series. Vol. 61, Pt. 4.) Pp. 48. 32 Facsimiles. Philadelphia: AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 1971. $4.00.
As the title indicates, this work is a study of the sama 'dt found on MS Cairo, Adab 105, which is the oldest extant manuscript of the Maqdmdt of al-Hariri. It was copied in A.H. 504/A.D. 1111, the year in which al-Hariri completed the Maqamdt, and bears an ijdzah in the author's own hand in favor of the copyist and owner of the MS, al-Mubarak b. Ahmad al-Ansar. (A.H. 475- 549). Aside from its antiquity and the autograph ijdzah, the manuscript is interesting because of the large number of samd~dt (28 in all), which have enabled the author to trace the reading history down to the year 683, the date
of the last samd'. In addition to the Cairo manuscript, the author has studied the sama'dt in a number of other later manuscripts of the Maqdmdt as well. He has attempted, with a high rate of success considering the difficulties involved, to identify each of the more than 200 persons who are noted as having heard the work. The information in each samd' is presented in chronologic- al order, with the date, the musmi', reader, recorder, and auditors given in the order that they appear, with perti- nent comments where required. The personal names are cross-referenced to the Index of Arabic Names at the end, where brief biographical notes are supplied. There is also a short index of technical terms of book production and of the transmission of authority. The 32 attractive photo reproductions of the Arabic texts of the samd'dt will enable the reader to check the author's readings and his conclusions.
This work is an important contribution to the history of the text of the Maqamdt and of the course of their study during the Middle Ages. It will also be useful to those who are interested in the Islamic system of literary transmis- sion in general.
JAMES A. BELLAMY UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Index Islamicus. Third Supplement 1966-1970. Compiled by J. D. PEARSON and ANN WALSH. Pp. xxvi + 384. London: MANSELL INFORMATION/PUBLISHING LIMITED.
1972. ?10.00.
Index Islamicus. Fourth Supplement (Part I) 1971- 1972. Compiled by J. D. PEARSON and ANN WALSH. Pp. xvi + 109. London: MANSELL INFORMATION/ PUBLISHING LIMITED. 1973.
of the last samd'. In addition to the Cairo manuscript, the author has studied the sama'dt in a number of other later manuscripts of the Maqdmdt as well. He has attempted, with a high rate of success considering the difficulties involved, to identify each of the more than 200 persons who are noted as having heard the work. The information in each samd' is presented in chronologic- al order, with the date, the musmi', reader, recorder, and auditors given in the order that they appear, with perti- nent comments where required. The personal names are cross-referenced to the Index of Arabic Names at the end, where brief biographical notes are supplied. There is also a short index of technical terms of book production and of the transmission of authority. The 32 attractive photo reproductions of the Arabic texts of the samd'dt will enable the reader to check the author's readings and his conclusions.
This work is an important contribution to the history of the text of the Maqamdt and of the course of their study during the Middle Ages. It will also be useful to those who are interested in the Islamic system of literary transmis- sion in general.
JAMES A. BELLAMY UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Index Islamicus. Third Supplement 1966-1970. Compiled by J. D. PEARSON and ANN WALSH. Pp. xxvi + 384. London: MANSELL INFORMATION/PUBLISHING LIMITED.
1972. ?10.00.
Index Islamicus. Fourth Supplement (Part I) 1971- 1972. Compiled by J. D. PEARSON and ANN WALSH. Pp. xvi + 109. London: MANSELL INFORMATION/ PUBLISHING LIMITED. 1973.
of the last samd'. In addition to the Cairo manuscript, the author has studied the sama'dt in a number of other later manuscripts of the Maqdmdt as well. He has attempted, with a high rate of success considering the difficulties involved, to identify each of the more than 200 persons who are noted as having heard the work. The information in each samd' is presented in chronologic- al order, with the date, the musmi', reader, recorder, and auditors given in the order that they appear, with perti- nent comments where required. The personal names are cross-referenced to the Index of Arabic Names at the end, where brief biographical notes are supplied. There is also a short index of technical terms of book production and of the transmission of authority. The 32 attractive photo reproductions of the Arabic texts of the samd'dt will enable the reader to check the author's readings and his conclusions.
This work is an important contribution to the history of the text of the Maqamdt and of the course of their study during the Middle Ages. It will also be useful to those who are interested in the Islamic system of literary transmis- sion in general.
JAMES A. BELLAMY UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Index Islamicus. Third Supplement 1966-1970. Compiled by J. D. PEARSON and ANN WALSH. Pp. xxvi + 384. London: MANSELL INFORMATION/PUBLISHING LIMITED.
1972. ?10.00.
Index Islamicus. Fourth Supplement (Part I) 1971- 1972. Compiled by J. D. PEARSON and ANN WALSH. Pp. xvi + 109. London: MANSELL INFORMATION/ PUBLISHING LIMITED. 1973.
of the last samd'. In addition to the Cairo manuscript, the author has studied the sama'dt in a number of other later manuscripts of the Maqdmdt as well. He has attempted, with a high rate of success considering the difficulties involved, to identify each of the more than 200 persons who are noted as having heard the work. The information in each samd' is presented in chronologic- al order, with the date, the musmi', reader, recorder, and auditors given in the order that they appear, with perti- nent comments where required. The personal names are cross-referenced to the Index of Arabic Names at the end, where brief biographical notes are supplied. There is also a short index of technical terms of book production and of the transmission of authority. The 32 attractive photo reproductions of the Arabic texts of the samd'dt will enable the reader to check the author's readings and his conclusions.
This work is an important contribution to the history of the text of the Maqamdt and of the course of their study during the Middle Ages. It will also be useful to those who are interested in the Islamic system of literary transmis- sion in general.
JAMES A. BELLAMY UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Index Islamicus. Third Supplement 1966-1970. Compiled by J. D. PEARSON and ANN WALSH. Pp. xxvi + 384. London: MANSELL INFORMATION/PUBLISHING LIMITED.
1972. ?10.00.
Index Islamicus. Fourth Supplement (Part I) 1971- 1972. Compiled by J. D. PEARSON and ANN WALSH. Pp. xvi + 109. London: MANSELL INFORMATION/ PUBLISHING LIMITED. 1973.
Scholars who have for many years made steady and profitable use of Index Islamicus will welcome the pub- lication of the Third Supplement, covering the years 1966-1970. At the same time they will be surprised at the altered appearance of the work. Increasing costs, a contagion which seems to spread most virulently in scholarly publication, have forced the editors to abandon the handsome letterpress printing by which the original volume and the earlier supplements were distinguished, and to resort to the now familiar expedient of reproducing the index cards by photo offset. The publishing of the work has been taken over by Mansell Information/ Publishing Limited, and it is planned to bring out yearly supplements-the first of which (for 1971-72) has already appeared-, which will then be cumulated every fifth year. Such procedure will obviously make the Index an even more useful research tool than it has been in the past.
Scholars who have for many years made steady and profitable use of Index Islamicus will welcome the pub- lication of the Third Supplement, covering the years 1966-1970. At the same time they will be surprised at the altered appearance of the work. Increasing costs, a contagion which seems to spread most virulently in scholarly publication, have forced the editors to abandon the handsome letterpress printing by which the original volume and the earlier supplements were distinguished, and to resort to the now familiar expedient of reproducing the index cards by photo offset. The publishing of the work has been taken over by Mansell Information/ Publishing Limited, and it is planned to bring out yearly supplements-the first of which (for 1971-72) has already appeared-, which will then be cumulated every fifth year. Such procedure will obviously make the Index an even more useful research tool than it has been in the past.
Scholars who have for many years made steady and profitable use of Index Islamicus will welcome the pub- lication of the Third Supplement, covering the years 1966-1970. At the same time they will be surprised at the altered appearance of the work. Increasing costs, a contagion which seems to spread most virulently in scholarly publication, have forced the editors to abandon the handsome letterpress printing by which the original volume and the earlier supplements were distinguished, and to resort to the now familiar expedient of reproducing the index cards by photo offset. The publishing of the work has been taken over by Mansell Information/ Publishing Limited, and it is planned to bring out yearly supplements-the first of which (for 1971-72) has already appeared-, which will then be cumulated every fifth year. Such procedure will obviously make the Index an even more useful research tool than it has been in the past.
Scholars who have for many years made steady and profitable use of Index Islamicus will welcome the pub- lication of the Third Supplement, covering the years 1966-1970. At the same time they will be surprised at the altered appearance of the work. Increasing costs, a contagion which seems to spread most virulently in scholarly publication, have forced the editors to abandon the handsome letterpress printing by which the original volume and the earlier supplements were distinguished, and to resort to the now familiar expedient of reproducing the index cards by photo offset. The publishing of the work has been taken over by Mansell Information/ Publishing Limited, and it is planned to bring out yearly supplements-the first of which (for 1971-72) has already appeared-, which will then be cumulated every fifth year. Such procedure will obviously make the Index an even more useful research tool than it has been in the past.
134 134 134 134
This content downloaded from 188.72.96.104 on Tue, 10 Jun 2014 18:58:07 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions