Madhyamika and Yogacara: A Study of Mahayana Philosophies : Collected Papers of G.M. Nagao

319 Pages·1991·11.51 MB·English

by  Gadjin M. Nagao, L. S. Kawamura

SUNY Series in Buddhist Studies
Kenneth K. lnada, Editor
M iidhyamika and Yogiiciira
A Study
of
Mahayana Philosophies
Collected Papers of G. M. Nagao
Edited, Collated, and Translated
by
L. S. Kawamura
in Collaboration with
G. M. Nagao
Published by
State University of New York Press, Albany
© 1991 State University of New York
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
No part of this book may be used or reproduced
in any manner whatsoever without written permission
except in the case of brief quotations embodied in
critical articles and reviews.
For information, address State University of New York
Press, State University Plaza, Albany, N.Y., 12246
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Nagao, Gadjin, 1907-
Madhyamika and Yogacara.
(SUNY series in Buddhist studies)
Rev. translation of: Chiikan to yuishiki I
G. M. Nagao.
Includes index.
I. Madhyamika (Buddhism) 2. Yogacara
(Buddhism) I. Kawamura, Leslie S. II. Title.
BQ7462.N3313 1991 181'.043 89-4278
ISBN 0-7914-0186-3
ISBN 0-7914-0187-1 (pbk.)
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
To
Toshiko
wife of Professor G. M. Nagao

Contents
Acknowledgments IX
Author's Preface xi
Abbreviations xm
Introduction
1. Buddhist Subjectivity 7
2. An Interpretation of the Term "Sal!lvrti" (Convention)
in Buddhism 13
3. The Bodhisattva Returns to this World 23
4. The Silence of the Buddha and its Madhyamic Interpretation 35
~s. What Remains in Sunyatii:
A Yogacara Interpretation of Emptiness 51
6. The Buddhist World View as Elucidated
in the Three-nature Theory and Its Similies 61
7. Connotations of the Word Asraya (Basis)
in the Mahiiyiina-Siitriilal!lkiira 75
8. Usages and Meanings of Parit:~iimanii 83
9. Tranquil Flow of Mind:
An Interpretation of Upek$ii 9!
10. On the Theory of Buddha Body (Buddha-kiiya) 103
II. Logic of Convertibility 123
12. Ontology in Mahayana Buddhism 155
13. From Madhyamika to Yogacara:
An Analysis of MMK, XXIV.l8 and MV. 1.1-2 189
14. Ascent and Descent: Two-Directional Activity
in Buddhist Thought 20 I
15. Emptiness 209
16. Yogacara-A Reappraisal 219
Appendix-Sources of Essays 227
Notes 229
Bibliography 263
Index of Terms 273
Index of Tibetan Terms 289
Index of Chinese and Japanese Terms 291
Index of Sanskrit Terms 293

Acknowledgments
When Professor G. M. Nagao's book Chukan to Yuishiki appeared in
1978, the thought of translating the text into English seemed a good idea.
Michele Martin, the then editor of the State University of New York Press
(SUNY), approached me in the Spring of 1984. She asked whether I would
be willing to undertake the task of editing and translating Professor Nagao's
work. It was known to me, of course, that without Professor Nagao's ap
proval such an undertaking would be impossible. Professor Nagao was ap
proached and permission to commence the work of translation was
obtained. The many occasions that gave me the opportunity to work closely
with Professor Nagao clearly impressed upon me his arduous intent to per
fect his work. It was, therefore, obvious that without his collaboration, the
task of translation could not be accomplished. Fortunately, in the early part
of 1985, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
(SSHRCC), Division of International Programs, granted me the Grant for
Visiting Foreign Scholars and the University of Calgary research grants of
fice responded positively to my application for travel to and joint research
in Kyoto, Japan. The project deadline was targeted for the end of 1986, but
as is evident from the publication date, the book is three years late.
The papers comprising Professor Nagao's book seemed straight for
ward enough. However, when the work of translating the papers began,
many difficulties began to emerge. As we worked on the materials, it be
came evident that the newly translated papers for this volume had to be
more than a simple translation. For example, the article "Logic of Convert
ibility" has been thoroughly reworked into the present form. The article
"Buddhist Ontology," has been amended with comments that do not appear
in the original Japanese text.
This work could not have reached its conclusion without the support of
many people and the aid of various financial grants. I would like to thank
Ms. V. Lake for typing the early draft of the manuscript. Permissions to
reproduce articles are acknowledged with thanks to the following; G. M.
Nagao; John Keenan; Institut Orientaliste, Universite Catholique de Lou-
X ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
vain; the University of Hawaii Press; Hozokan, Kyoto; Iwanami Shoten,
Tokyo; Risosha, Tokyo; editors of Jimbvn, Kyoto; editors of the Eastern
Buddhist, Kyoto; and editors of Journal of International Association of Bud
dhist Studies, Bloomington, Indiana. For detailed information regarding the
essays, please refer to "Appendix-Sources of Essays."
The financial aid given by SSHRCC and the University of Calgary is
hereby acknowledged in deepest appreciation.
LESLIE S. KAWAMURA