Empty Words: Buddhist Philosophy and Cross-Cultural Interpretation - Softcover

Garfield, Jay L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195146727 ISBN 13: 9780195146721

Publisher: Oxford University Press USA, 2002

Synopsis

The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way (Mulamadhyamakakarika), a second-century philosophical text by the Buddhist saint Nagarjuna, is the foundational text of Mahayana, the Buddhist school that predominates in Tibet, China, Mongolia, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. Nagarjuna is the founder of the Madhyamaka, or Middle Path, school of Mahayana. Jay Garfield's magisterial translation (with commentary) of this seminal text (OUP, 1995) has established itself as the definitive edition in the English language. Empty Words is intended as a companion to Garfield's translation to The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way, providing additional background, argument and context. It considers the work of philosophical rivals, and sheds important light on the relation of Nagarjuna's views to other Buddhist and non-Buddhist philosophical positions. Garfield is one of the leading scholars in this field, and this volume is the culmination of his work of the last decade.

About this title

Product Description:

'Mulamadhyamakakarika', a 2nd-century philosophical text by the Buddhist saint Nagarjuna, is the foundational text of Mahayana, the Buddhist 'Middle Path'. This text is intended as a companion to 'The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way', providing additional background, argument and context.

Review:

Empty Words represents a serious engagement with Buddhist philosophy and contributes to the exegesis of Madhyamaka and Yogacara thought. More importantly, however, I think that it contributes to the further development of Buddhist philosophy as a continuing project. (Philosophy East & West)

Empty Words makes a worthwhile contribution to the philosophical study of Buddhism. (Philosophy East & West)

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press USA
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0195146727
• ISBN 13: 9780195146721
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320