Freitag, 17. Oktober 2014, 15:15 - 16:45 iCal

*Bodhigarbha:

Introducing an Early Tibetan Family of Buddha Nature Ideas.

Ein Vortrag von Dr. David Higgins (Institut für Südasien-, Tibet- und Buddhismuskunde, Universität Wien)

Seminarraum 1, des Instituts für Südasien-, Tibet- und Buddhismuskunde,
Spitalgasse 2, Hof 2.7, 1090 Wien

Vortrag


It has recently been alleged by scholars of the Tibetan rNying ma tradition that although buddha nature theory was well-known in Tibet from as early as the eighth century, it played quite an insignificant role in pre-classical rDzogs chen exegesis. This lecture challenges this claim by demonstrating that buddha nature ideas played a highly significant part in early rDzogs chen thought (8th to 12th centuries), albeit mostly in the form of indigenous *bodhigarbha (Tib. byang chub snying po) concepts rather than the well-known Indic counterpart tath?gatagarbha. The lecture clarifies how this "bodhi nature" was understood by early rDzogs chen authors, why it was distinguished from Mah?y?na-based buddha nature ideas, and how it eventually became overshadowed by these latter during the period of Monastic Hegemony as Indian buddha nature theories and controversies took centre stage.

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David Higgins is a Research Fellow in the Institut für Südasien-, Tibet- und Buddhismuskunde at the University of Vienna where he is exploring the relationship between Mah?mudr? and gZhan stong traditions in bKa' brgyud scholasticism during the post-classical period (15th to 16th centuries). His research interests include Indo-Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and epistemology with a particular focus on bKa' brgyud Mah?mudr? and rNying ma rDzogs chen doctrinal systems. His recent book Philosophical Foundations of Classical rDzogs chen in Tibet provides a philosophical analysis of rNying ma views on the nature of mind that traces their evolution and complex relationships with Indian Cittam?tra, Madhyamaka, pram??av?da, and Vajray?na views.

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Veranstalter

Institut für Südasien-, Tibet- und Buddhismuskunde


Kontakt

Judith Starecek
Institut für Südasien-, Tibet- und Buddhismuskunde
4277 43502
judith.starecek@univie.ac.at