Some Remarks on the Canonical Texts Quoted by Madhyamaka Masters

Journal Article

Please note that many items in our library are simply pages that represent a detailed library catalog entry and citation of someone else's work, presentation, or performance. Read our General Disclaimer for more information.

Descriptionངོ་སྤྲོད།

This article examines the canonical Buddhist texts cited by prominent Madhyamaka masters, particularly focusing on the textual-critical importance of their quotations. The author emphasizes that citations by masters such as Candrakīrti, Śāntideva, Kamalaśīla, and Prajñākaramati are invaluable for reconstructing and understanding canonical texts, especially when original manuscripts have been corrupted through transmission or are no longer extant. The paper outlines several research projects examining specific texts: the Prajñāpāramitāratnaguṇasaṃcayagāthā as cited by Candrakīrti in his Prasannapadā; the Pitāputrasamāgamasūtra quoted by multiple masters; fragments of the Suvarṇaprabhāsottamasūtra; and the Bhikṣuprakīrṇaka preserved in Śāntideva's Śikṣāsamuccaya. Through detailed philological analysis comparing Sanskrit manuscripts with Tibetan and Chinese versions, the author demonstrates how these citations reveal textual evolution and transmission patterns. The study particularly highlights Candrakīrti's faithful citation method and shows how comparing corrupted manuscript traditions with quoted passages enables scholars to reconstruct more authentic readings, serving both textual criticism and the history of Buddhist philosophical ideas.

Citation

Yuyama, Akira "Some Remarks on the Canonical Texts Quoted by Madhyamaka Masters." The Indian International Journal of Buddhist Studies 3 (2002): 197–205.