Brief History Of Buddhist Studies In Europe And Maerica

SR No.: 269304
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: J W De Jong
Publisher: J W De Jong
Total Pages: 86
Language: English
Classification: Article
File Size: 7 MB

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BUDDHIST STUDIES IN THE WEST
relating to later philosophers such as Devendrabuddhi, Dharmottara, Arcata, Jitāri, Durvekamiśra, Ratnākīrti, Jñanaśrī, Ratnākaraśānti and Mokṣākaragupta. The publications which appeared up to 1965 are listed in Karl H. Potter's Bibliography of Indian Philosophies (Delhi, 1970). More recent publications are enumerated in a supplement (J. of Indian Philosophy, 2, 1972, pp. 65112).
Tantrism is still the most neglected branch of Buddhist studies. Tucci's Tibetan Painted Scrolls (Roma, 1949) contains much information on Indian and Tibetan Tantrism. David Snellgrove (1920- ) published an excellent edition and translation of the Hevajratantra (London, 1959) and Ariane Macdonald has made good use of Tibetan sources in her study of the second chapter of the Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: Le Mandala du Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa (Paris, 1962).
In the last thirty years only one comprehensive work on Indian Buddhism was published: Lamotte's Histoire du bouddhisme indien, I (Louvain, 1958) to which we have already referred several times. This work gives evidence of Lamotte's great knowledge of the Buddhist scriptures and their historical background. Lamotte has been successful in analysing the historical and geographical factors which determined the history of Buddhism from its beginning to the end of the first century A.D. His work will for many years be the basic work on the history of Buddhism during this period.
To end this rapid survey of the research accomplished during the last thirty years, a few words must be said on Tibetan and Chinese Buddhism, because Indian Buddhism cannot be studied without knowledge of its developments in Tibet and China. It is not necessary to dwell in detail upon the great contributions made by Tucci in this field. A complete bibliography of his writings from 1911 to 1970 (Opera minora, I, Roma, 1971, pp. xi-xxiv) shows how much he has done. Herbert V. Guenther (1917- ) has made notable contributions to the study of Tibetan philosophy, although his interpretations are not always acceptable. His main works are: sGam-po-pa. Jewel Ornament of Liberation (London, 1959); The Life and Teaching of Naropa (Oxford, 1963); Treasures on the Tibetan Middle Way (Leiden, 1966); The Royal Song of Saraha (Seattle, 1969); Buddhist Philosophy in Theory and Practice (London, 1972); The Tantric View of Life (Berkeley / London, 1972). Lessing and Wayman published a translation of Mkhas-grub rje's Fundamentals of the Buddhist Tantras (The
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