Mipham's Dialectics and the Debates on Emptiness To be, not to be or neither (Routledgecurzon Critical Studies in Buddhism)

This is an introduction to the Buddhist philosophy of Emptiness which explores a number of themes in connection with the concept of Emptiness, a highly technical but very central notion in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. It examines the critique by the leading Nyingma school philosopher Mipham (1846-1912) formulated in his diverse writings. The book focuses on related issues such as what is negated by the doctrine of emptiness, the nature of ultimate reality, and the difference between 'extrinsic' and 'intrinsic' emptiness. Karma Phuntsho's book aptly undertakes a thematic and selective discussion of these debates and Mipham's qualms about the Gelukpa understanding of Emptiness in a mixture of narrative and analytic style.

this Book Explores A Number Of Themes In Connection With The Concept Of Emptiness, A Highly Technical But Very Central Notion In Indo-tibetan Buddhism. It Examines The Critique By The Leading Nyingma School Philosopher Mipham (1846-1912), One Of Tibet's Brightest And Most Versatile Minds, Formulated In His Diverse Writings. The Book Focuses On Related Issues Such As What Is Negated By The Doctrine Of Emptiness, The Nature Of Ultimate Reality, And The Difference Between 'extrinsic' And 'intrinsic' Emptiness. These Issues Continue To Be The Subject Of Lively Debate Among Contemporary Exponents Of Tibetan Buddhist Thought. Karma Phuntsho's Book Aptly Undertakes A Thematic And Selective Discussion Of These Debates And Mipham's Qualms About The Gelukpa Understanding Of Emptiness In A Mixture Of Narrative And Analytic Style. For The First Time, A Major Variant Understanding Of Emptiness To The Gelukpa Interpretation That Has Become Dominant In Both Tibet And The West Is Revealed.

"This book explores a number of themes in connection with the concept of Emptiness, a highly technical but very central notion in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. It examines the critique by the leading Nyingma school philosopher Mipham (1846-1912), one of Tibet's brightest and most versatile minds, formulated in his diverse writings. The book focuses on related issues such as what is negated by the doctrine of Emptiness, the nature of ultimate reality and the difference between 'extrinsic' and 'intrinsic' emptiness. For the first time, a major understanding of Emptiness, variant to the Gelukpa interpretation that has become dominant in both Tibet and the West, is revealed."--Résumé de l'éditeur "This book explores a number of themes in connection with the concept of Emptiness, a highly technical but very central notion in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. It examines the critique by the leading Nyingma school philosopher Mipham (1846-1912), one of Tibet's brightest and most versatile minds, formulated in his diverse writings. The book focuses on related issues such as what is negated by the doctrine of Emptiness, the nature of ultimate reality and the difference between 'extrinsic' and 'intrinsic' emptiness. For the first time, a major understanding of Emptiness, variant to the Gelukpa interpretation that has become dominant in both Tibet and the West, is revealed." --Book Jacket BOOK COVER......Page 1 TITLE......Page 6 COPYRIGHT......Page 7 CONTENTS......Page 10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 13 ABBREVIATIONS......Page 15 INTRODUCTION......Page 20 1 EMPTINESS......Page 40 2 THE BIG FUSS ABOUT EMPTINESS......Page 57 3 WHAT IS NEGATED BY ULTIMATE ANALYSIS?......Page 72 4 THE FULLY EMPTY......Page 130 5 IS EMPTINESS KNOWABLE AND EFFABLE?......Page 179 SOME CONCLUDING REMARKS......Page 225 APPENDIX I......Page 230 APPENDIX II......Page 232 APPENDIX III......Page 234 APPENDIX IV......Page 236 NOTES......Page 243 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 300 NAME AND PLACE INDEX......Page 314 SUBJECT INDEX......Page 317 This book explores a number of central themes in connection with the concept of 'emptiness', a highly technical but very central notion in Tibetan Buddhist thought