Nagarjuna in China

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Nicholas Weeks
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Nagarjuna in China

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

A very lame title for an important translation done in 1995 by Brian Bocking; text and commentary run to about 350pp, plus another 100pp of apparatus.

Near the end of Kumarajiva's life he translated Nagarjuna's Madhyamakakarika into Chinese, along with a commentary whose authorship is fuzzy, which seems rooted in the Akutobhaya. Whether the Akutobhaya was actually an auto-commentary by N. on his own work or another author (Aryadeva?) wrote it, the influence was wide and deep. Both this text, the Chung-lun, in China and Buddhapalita's commentary in the Indo-Tibetan arena were influenced by this Akutobhaya earlier commentary.

Just arrived today, so more comments from me will have to await further study. But since it has been out since 1995, others may have views.
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
Justmeagain
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Re: Nagarjuna in China

Post by Justmeagain »

Bocking was my tutor at University. Not got around to reading this yet. What were your thoughts?
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aflatun
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Re: Nagarjuna in China

Post by aflatun »

This one has been on my to do list for a very long time, and I likely won't get to it soon, but I look forward to your thoughts!
"People often get too quick to say 'there's no self. There's no self...no self...no self.' There is self, there is focal point, its not yours. That's what not self is."

Ninoslav Ñāṇamoli
Senses and the Thought-1, 42:53

"Those who create constructs about the Buddha,
Who is beyond construction and without exhaustion,
Are thereby damaged by their constructs;
They fail to see the Thus-Gone.

That which is the nature of the Thus-Gone
Is also the nature of this world.
There is no nature of the Thus-Gone.
There is no nature of the world."

Nagarjuna
MMK XXII.15-16
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Caoimhghín
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Re: Nagarjuna in China

Post by Caoimhghín »

Is this a related translation? I thought you were talking about this document, but this is from the 80s I just noticed.

http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/928/
Then, the monks uttered this gāthā:

These bodies are like foam.
Them being frail, who can rejoice in them?
The Buddha attained the vajra-body.
Still, it becomes inconstant and ruined.
The many Buddhas are vajra-entities.
All are also subject to inconstancy.
Quickly ended, like melting snow --
how could things be different?

The Buddha passed into parinirvāṇa afterward.
(T1.27b10 Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra DĀ 2)
Nicholas Weeks
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Location: California

Re: Nagarjuna in China

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

Coëmgenu wrote: Sun Jul 29, 2018 4:35 pm Is this a related translation? I thought you were talking about this document, but this is from the 80s I just noticed.

http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/928/
Yes, often times a thesis is the basis for a book that comes later. So Bocking probably tinkered with it a bit for the book version.
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
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