Friday, January 14, 2011

Indian Buddhist Tantric Literature


Problems in the Interpretation of Indian Buddhist Tantric Literature

A seminar with Dr. Harunaga Isaacson (Hamburg University)

February 7 – March 4, 2011


The Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute is pleased to announce a lecture cum seminar to introduce the study and translation of Indian Buddhist tantric scriptures and commentaries.

The material will be drawn primarily from the Hevajratantra and related tantras and commentaries. In two meetings per week, the literature of this key Yoginītantra cycle will be surveyed. The emphasis will be on extant Sanskrit works although some works available only in Tibetan translation will also be discussed.

In the third meeting each week, practical problems (and possible solutions thereto) connected to translating the Buddhist tantras into modern languages will be discussed. Examples will be drawn from a number of texts, including the Kurukullākalpa , the Mahāmāyātantra, and others. The topics covered will include: how to identify and handle textual error (whether in Tibetan translations or in Sanskrit texts), how to deal with passages that can be interpreted in substantively different ways, how to handle non-standard grammatical forms of Sanskrit in tantras, and how to make use of commentaries in the translations of tantras.

To participate some knowledge of Sanskrit is highly desirable; without it a substantial part of the discussion may be very difficult to follow.

Schedule:
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 4.00-7.00 pm

Fees:
Local Students: 1500 Nrs.
RYI International Students: US$ 140
Non-RYI International Students: US$ 200

Registration:
To register for the course, please sign up at the office or via email to Phuntsok Dolma (phuntsok.d@shedra.org).

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