Foundations of Dharmakirti's Philosophy - Softcover
Throughout the history of Buddhism, few philosophers have attained the stature of Dharmakirti, the "Lord of Reason" who has influenced virtually every systematic Buddhist thinker since his time.
Dharmakirti's renowned works, written in India during the philosophically rich seventh century, argue that the true test of knowledge is its efficacy, and likewise that only the efficacious is knowable and real. Around this central theme is woven an intricate web of interrelated theories concerning perception, reason, language, and the justification of knowledge. Masterfully unpacking these foundations of Dharmakirti's system, John Dunne presents the first major study of the most vexing issues in Dharmakirti's thought within its Indian philosophical context. Lucid and carefully argued, Dunne's work serves both as an introduction to Dharmakirti for students of Buddhism and a groundbreaking resource for scholars of Buddhist thought.
Dharmakirti's renowned works, written in India during the philosophically rich seventh century, argue that the true test of knowledge is its efficacy, and likewise that only the efficacious is knowable and real. Around this central theme is woven an intricate web of interrelated theories concerning perception, reason, language, and the justification of knowledge. Masterfully unpacking these foundations of Dharmakirti's system, John Dunne presents the first major study of the most vexing issues in Dharmakirti's thought within its Indian philosophical context. Lucid and carefully argued, Dunne's work serves both as an introduction to Dharmakirti for students of Buddhism and a groundbreaking resource for scholars of Buddhist thought.
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About the Author:
John D. Dunne is a professor of Buddhist Studies at Emory University in Atlanta. He attended Amherst College and in 1999 received his PhD in Sanskrit and Tibetan studies from Harvard University. Before Emory, John was on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and conducted research at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and the Central University of Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarnath, India. A co-director of Emory's Collaborative for Contemplative Studies as well as the Encyclopedia of Contemplative Practices, he is also a fellow of the Mind and Life Institute and an advisor to the Center for Investigating HealthyMinds. He frequently serves as a translator for Tibetan scholars, and as a consultant, he is involved in various scientific studies of contemplative practices.
Review:
"On the basis of thorough philological work, John Dunne presents the essentials of Dharmakirti's ontology, epistemology, and logic in philosophically informed language with an admirable capacity to interpret even those more difficult aspects of Dharmakirti's thought with easily readable clarity. His interpretation is conscientious of the context, well-documented, and Dharmakirti's problems are carefully analyzsed. The book promotes our understanding and, at the same time, can serve as a lucid introduction to one of the most important philosophers of India's past." (Ernst Steinkellner, University of Vienna)
"A comprehensive introduction. Dunne renders comprehensible some of the most basic and also challenging features of this seventh-century Buddhist thinker's thought. He also provides a fascinating analysis of commentarial practices and the problems posed in attempting to forge an intellectual history for Indian Buddhism." (Buddhadharma)
"A milestone in the modern history of Dharmakirti studies. Dunne thoroughly examines the achievements of previous scholars in the field, presents his own answers to the various questions related to Dharmakirti's philosophy, and suggests what problems are yet to be solved. Apoha theory, one of the least-investigated subjects of Buddhist logic and epistemology, is beautifully explained. A brilliant work!" (Shoryu Katsura, Professor of Indian Philosophy, Hiroshima University)
"This volume is both an in-depth introduction to and a historically oriented interpretation of the thought of Dharmakirti, the seventh-century South Asian philosopher. 'Foundations' in John Dunne's sense are fundamental elements of Dharmakirti's conceptual system that make his arguments possible. His study is based on Dharmakirti's earliest work, the Pramanavarttika, and his autocommentary on the chapter on 'inference for oneself,' with occasional forays into later treatises, especially the Hetubindu. As a point of departure, Dunne chooses the oldest stratum of commentarial interpretation by Devendrabuddhi and Sakyabuddhi, which is available only in classical Tibetan translations... This study is notable especially for the breadth of textual material that it covers... Dunne presents occasionally surprising new interpretations that will no doubt shape future scholarly debates." (Birgit Kellner in The Journal of Religion)
"Dunne displays a mastery of primary and secondary sources, and, given the semantic fluidity of Sanskrit technical terms, an admirable stylistic consistency.... Foundations of Dharmakirti's Philosophy stands as one of the most innovative and sophisticated attempts to engage with Dharmakirti's project in a systematic way." (Christian Coseru, College of Charleston on H-Net.org)
"A comprehensive introduction. Dunne renders comprehensible some of the most basic and also challenging features of this seventh-century Buddhist thinker's thought. He also provides a fascinating analysis of commentarial practices and the problems posed in attempting to forge an intellectual history for Indian Buddhism." (Buddhadharma)
"A milestone in the modern history of Dharmakirti studies. Dunne thoroughly examines the achievements of previous scholars in the field, presents his own answers to the various questions related to Dharmakirti's philosophy, and suggests what problems are yet to be solved. Apoha theory, one of the least-investigated subjects of Buddhist logic and epistemology, is beautifully explained. A brilliant work!" (Shoryu Katsura, Professor of Indian Philosophy, Hiroshima University)
"This volume is both an in-depth introduction to and a historically oriented interpretation of the thought of Dharmakirti, the seventh-century South Asian philosopher. 'Foundations' in John Dunne's sense are fundamental elements of Dharmakirti's conceptual system that make his arguments possible. His study is based on Dharmakirti's earliest work, the Pramanavarttika, and his autocommentary on the chapter on 'inference for oneself,' with occasional forays into later treatises, especially the Hetubindu. As a point of departure, Dunne chooses the oldest stratum of commentarial interpretation by Devendrabuddhi and Sakyabuddhi, which is available only in classical Tibetan translations... This study is notable especially for the breadth of textual material that it covers... Dunne presents occasionally surprising new interpretations that will no doubt shape future scholarly debates." (Birgit Kellner in The Journal of Religion)
"Dunne displays a mastery of primary and secondary sources, and, given the semantic fluidity of Sanskrit technical terms, an admirable stylistic consistency.... Foundations of Dharmakirti's Philosophy stands as one of the most innovative and sophisticated attempts to engage with Dharmakirti's project in a systematic way." (Christian Coseru, College of Charleston on H-Net.org)
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- PublisherWisdom Publications
- Publication date2004
- ISBN 10 086171184X
- ISBN 13 9780861711840
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages496
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Foundations of Dharmakirti's Philosopy
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ISBN 10: 086171184X
ISBN 13: 9780861711840
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. First Edition. First Edition thus, as good as new. Foundations of Dharmakirti's Philosopy by John D. Dunne. Published by Wisdom Publications in 2004. Paperback ISBN:9780861711840. Collectible item in excellent condition. Seller Inventory # 0861711840
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