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142181 UE Reading in Tantric Texts: Vilasavajra's Namamantrarthavalokini (Sanskrit & Tibetan) (2025S)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 14 - Orientalistik, Afrikanistik, Indologie und Tibetologie
Continuous assessment of course work
We 05.03. 12:00-13:30 Seminarraum 2 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-18

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 24 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 19.03. 12:00 - 13:30 Seminarraum 2 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-18
  • Wednesday 26.03. 12:00 - 13:30 Seminarraum 2 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-18
  • Wednesday 02.04. 12:00 - 13:30 Seminarraum 2 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-18
  • Wednesday 09.04. 12:00 - 13:30 Seminarraum 2 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-18
  • Wednesday 30.04. 12:00 - 13:30 Seminarraum 2 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-18
  • Wednesday 07.05. 12:00 - 13:30 Seminarraum 2 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-18
  • Wednesday 14.05. 12:00 - 13:30 Seminarraum 2 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-18
  • Wednesday 21.05. 12:00 - 13:30 Seminarraum 2 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-18
  • Wednesday 28.05. 12:00 - 13:30 Seminarraum 2 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-18
  • Wednesday 04.06. 12:00 - 13:30 Seminarraum 2 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-18
  • Wednesday 11.06. 12:00 - 13:30 Seminarraum 2 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-18
  • Wednesday 18.06. 12:00 - 13:30 Seminarraum 2 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-18
  • Wednesday 25.06. 12:00 - 13:30 Seminarraum 2 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-18

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Goal of the LV is the introduction to trantric Buddhist texts and basic philological work. We will read the 6th and 7th chapters of Vilāsavajra’s Nāmamantrārthāvalokinī. This section is so far unedited and unpublished. It is rich in which essentially embeds the root text, the famous Nāmasaṃgīti, into an elaborate sādhana based on the Vajradhātumaṇḍala of the Tattvasaṃgraha (Tribe 2016: 3f.). While the NS is, grammatically speaking, fairly straightforward with its verses predominantly consisting of nominal sentences with many compounds, it is, as mentioned, content-wise very elusive and open to more than one interpretation. It is this aspect of the text that makes reference to the readings and analyses of the commentarial tradition especially important. Therefore, Vilāsavajra in his NMAA, besides the many fascinating doctrine developed and sources being cited, devotes a substantial percentage to compound analysis, a particular feature of this commentary. However, among the many important commercial works Vilāsavajra’s NMAA has received a fair amount of scholarly attention, especially by the work of Tribe, who, besides having published several papers, translated the first five chapters of the NMAA, making it the only Sanskrit commentary of the NS that is partially available in English. The remaining chapters have not yet been made available, neither in the form of editions, not been translated, while many of the other important commentators have not received noteworthy attention.

Assessment and permitted materials

Grades are based on the active participation in the class and the written translation of selected passages.
There are no restrictions regarding the permitted sources or aids. It is recommended to follow the reading as selected for the seminar. Furthermore, the usual rules for the preparation of scientific papers must of course be observed.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Minimum requirements for a positive grade: active participation in the course and a paper satisfying the requirements defined by the course instructors. Attendance is compulsory; up to two absences without notice will be excused.

Assessment standard: Every performance component will receive a grade. Active participation and the written paper/translation at the term's end each account for 50% of the course's grade.

In order to pass the seminar, at least 50% of the total points must be achieved. Regular attendance is also required. The reading of the lectures, as indicated for the respective sessions, is obligatory and a prerequisite for active participation in the seminar.
The grading system is structured as follows:
100-91% Very good (1)
90-81% Good (2)
80-65% Satisfactory (3)
64-50% Satisfactory (4)
49-0% Unsatisfactory (5)

Examination topics

Not applicable.

Reading list

The unpublished texts we will work on will be made available prior to the seminar.

Further, students are asked to read

Tribe, Anthony (2015). “Mañjuśrīnāmasaṃgīti.” In Brill’s Encyclopedia of Buddhism, Vol. 1, Buddhist Literatures, edited by Jonathan A. Silk, Oskar von Hinüber, and Vincent Eltschinger. Leiden: Koninklijke Brill NV, pp 353–359.

And if possible, to study in the introudction in:

Tribe, Anthony (2016). Tantric Buddhist practice in India: Vilāsavajra’s commentary on the Mañjuśrī-nāmasaṃgīti: a critical edition and annotated translation of chapters 1-5. London, New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

Association in the course directory

MATB2

Last modified: Th 30.01.2025 09:05