Buch, Englisch, 274 Seiten, Format (B × H): 161 mm x 240 mm, Gewicht: 578 g
Creative Dimensions of Early Buddhist Scripture
Buch, Englisch, 274 Seiten, Format (B × H): 161 mm x 240 mm, Gewicht: 578 g
ISBN: 978-0-19-758786-7
Verlag: Oxford University Press
Visions of the Buddha offers a ground-breaking approach to the nature of the early discourses of the Buddha, the most foundational scriptures of Buddhist religion. Although the early discourses are commonly considered to be attempts to preserve the Buddha's teachings, Shulman demonstrates that these texts are full of creativity, and that their main aim is to beautify the image of the wonderous Buddha. While the texts surely care for the early teachings and for the Buddha's philosophy or his guidelines for meditation, and while at times they may relate real historical events, they are no less interested in telling good stories, in re-working folkloric materials, and in the visionary contemplation of the Buddha in order to sense his unique presence. The texts can thus be, at times, a type of meditation.
Eviatar Shulman frames the early discourses as literary masterpieces that helped Buddhism achieve the wonderful success it has obtained. Much of the discourses' masterful storytelling was achieved through a technique of composition defined here as the play of formulas. In the oral literature of early Buddhism, texts were composed of formulas, which are repeated within and between texts. Shulman argues that the formulas are the real texts of Buddhism, and are primary to full discourses. Shaping texts through the play of formulas balances conservative and innovative tendencies within the tradition, making room for creativity within accepted forms and patterns. The texts we find today are thus versions--remnants--chosen by history of a much more vibrant and dynamic creative process.
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Weitere Infos & Material
- Preface
- I. THE LITERARY APPROACH TO THE EARLY DISCOURSES
- 1. Introduction: Rereading the Udumbarika-sutta
- A First Textual Analysis: Why the Udumbarika-sutta?
- The Formulaic Opening of the Mahasakuludayi-sutta as a Literary Preamble to the Udumbarika
- The Opening of the Pali Udumbarika-sutta
- The Philosophy of the Udumbarika
- Versions of the Udumbarika-sutta
- Conclusion
- 2. Literary Design in the Early Discourses
- Multivalence in the Majjhima Nikaya: A Reading of the Culatanhasankhaya-sutta
- The Art of Narrative in the Sila-kkhandha-vagga I: The Brahmajala
- The Art of Narrative in the Sila-kkhandha-vagga II: The Samaññaphala
- Applying and Reapplying the SKV Formula
- What is Editing?
- Conclusion: The Art of Interpretation in the Nikayas
- II. INNER AND OUTER WORLDS OF LITERARY EXPRESSION
- 3. Mindfulness of the Buddha in the Mahaparinibbana-sutta
- Reading and Listening to the Mahaparinibbana-sutta (MPS)
- The Climax: The Buddha Relinquishes His Life
- Nearing the Buddha's Death
- Death and its Aftermath
- Epilogue: Ananda's Vision of the Buddha Before His Enlightenment
- 4. The Folklore of Sutta: Performance in the Early Discourses and Texts as Versions
- Buddhist Fun in the Patika-sutta
- The Patika as a Version
- A Doctrinal Version
- The Buddha's Perplexing Austerities in the Mahasihanada
- Bring in the Jatakas
- The Closing Section of the Patika
- Conclusion
- III. COMPOSING BUDDHIST SCRIPTURE THROUGH THE PLAY OF FORMULAS
- 5. The Play of Formulas: Toward a Theory of Composition for the Early Discourses
- The Perils of Historicism in Buddhist Studies
- Literary Solutions to Historicist Fallacies
- The Primacy of the Formula
- An Alternative Approach
- The Play of Formulas and the Unanswered Questions
- Playing with Formulas on Brahmin-Householders
- Conclusion: Buddhist Orality Revisited
- 6. Re-telling the Buddha's Enlightenment in the Majjhima Nikaya
- Awakening in the Bhayabherava-Sutta ("The Discourse on Fear and Dread," MN 4)
- The Dvedhavitakka-Sutta ("The Discourse on Two Types of Thoughts," MN 19)
- The Ariyapariyesana-Sutta ("The Discourse on the Noble Search," MN 26)
- The Mahasaccaka-Sutta ("The Greater Discourse with Saccaka," MN 36)
- The Bodhirajakumara-Sutta ("The Discourse to Prince Bodhi," MN 85)
- The Sangarava-Sutta ("The Discourse to Sangarava," MN 100)
- The Art of Narrative in the Sila-kkhandha-vagga I: The Brahmajala
- Conclusion
- 7. Conclusion: The Play of Formulas and Meditative Practice
- Bibliography
