Philosophy, Philosophers, and Buddhist Scholastic Texts (Śāstra)

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

This link is usually shown in a maṅgala-verse.

“This association is usually evident in a maṅgala-verse, a poetic stanza that introduces most every Sanskrit text.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Dignāga's Pramānasamuccaya frames philosophical inquiry primarily through epistemology.

“Dignāga's principal work, the Pramānasamuccaya [Compendium on Sources of Knowledge], as its title suggests, organizes philosophical discussion first and foremost in terms of epistemology.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Modern scholars have often been too quick to assume that all philosophers or texts grouped under a certain label are committed to the same philosophical positions.

“modern scholars have often been too quick to assume that all philosophers or texts grouped under a certain label are committed to the same philosophical positions.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Authors within a text-tradition very rarely, if ever, openly contradict an explicit position expressed in their foundational text or by its author.

“Authors within a text-tradition very rarely, if ever, openly contradict an explicit position expressed in their foundational text or by its author.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Buddhist arguments were constantly being updated and in some cases abandoned over time.

“Finally, we need to recognize that Buddhist arguments were constantly being updated (and in some cases abandoned) over time.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Most Sanskrit philosophical texts, including Buddhist texts, are dialogical in the sense that their arguments unfold as they might in a live debate, where dialectical and rhetorical considerations drive the flow of the argument, even when the debate is truth-seeking.

“Most Sanskrit philosophical texts, for example, including Buddhist texts, are dialogical in the sense that their arguments unfold as they might in a live debate, where dialectical and rhetorical considerations drive the flow of the argument, even when the debate is truth-seeking.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Foundational texts that form the basis of these traditions are often as much a source of contention as of unity.

“The foundational texts that form the basis of these traditions are often as much a source of contention as they are of unity.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Indian philosophers themselves have tended to classify their own works under one or more labels, such as Nyāya and Mīmāmsā.

“Because Indian philosophers themselves have tended to classify their own works under one or more labels-for example, Nyāya and Mīmāmsā”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

There are very few, if any, examples of Buddhist philosophers who practiced systematic philosophy and also wrote on morality.

“It is worth noting that there are very few, if any, examples of Buddhist philosophers who practiced “systematic philosophy” and also wrote on “morality.””

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Without exception, Middle-Way philosophers look back to Nāgārjuna's foundational texts as the fundamental source of their basic concepts and arguments.

“Without exception, Middle-Way philosophers look back to the foundational texts of Nāgārjuna as the fundamental source of their basic concepts and arguments.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In such debates, arguments are usually made in direct response to claims put forward by each participant, the questions each asks, and ever shifting burdens of proof.

“In such debates, arguments are usually made in direct response to the claims put forward by each participant, the questions that each asks of the other, and ever shifting burdens of proof.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

There are already some high quality translations of Sanskrit philosophical texts that good non-specialist philosophers can use effectively.

“We are lucky that there are already some high quality translations of Sanskrit philosophical texts of which good philosophers, who are not themselves specialists, can make effective use.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Vasubandhu's Viṃśikāvṛtti begins lines of argument and counter-argument that were developed by his successors and critics, both Buddhist and non-Buddhist, in much greater detail and with ever increasing sophistication and nuance.

“Vasubandhu's Viṃśikāvṛtti, rich as it is, begins lines of argument and counter-argument that were developed by his successors and critics, both Buddhist and non-Buddhist, in much greater detail and with ever increasing sophistication and nuance.”

May combine two claims.

Within a so-called school, there is great internal variation, debate, polemic against other practitioners, and substantive evolution over time.

“Within a so-called school, there is a great deal of internal variation, debate, and polemic directed against other practitioners of that school, as well as substantive and often dramatic evolution over time.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

Commentaries are creative and consumerist.

“Rather, they are creative and consumerist.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Foundational texts cannot be wrong, or at least cannot be admitted to be so.

“Foundational texts cannot be wrong (or at least admitted to be so).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Vasubandhu's Viṃśikāvṛtti is written from the Yogācāra text-tradition and is fundamentally incompatible with both the Vaibhāṣika and Sautrāntika interpretations.

“Vasubandhu's Viṃśikāvṛtti is written from the perspective of the Yogācāra text-tradition and is fundamentally incompatible with both.”

May combine two claims.

Buddhist monastic educational institutions in pre-modern India were like modern residential universities: relatively diverse places where people studied a range of subjects and engaged in a variety of work both within the institution and with the lay public.

“Buddhist monastic educational institutions in pre-modern India were like modern residential universities: relatively diverse places where people studied a range of subjects and engaged in a variety of work both within the institution and with the lay public.”

• cites Liu, Ancient India and Ancient ChinaNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Sinha and Pandey, eds.Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Sanskrit commentaries are often creative and innovative philosophical texts in and of themselves.

“Focusing on “text-traditions” can also help us appreciate that Sanskrit “commentaries” are often creative and innovative philosophical texts in and of themselves.”

May combine two claims.

There is little discussion in the texts of how one ought to live or of how what is discussed connects to how one ought to live.

“And there is equally little discussion of how one ought to live or, for that matter, how anything that is actually discussed is connected to how we ought to live.”

May combine two claims.

As a result, exchanges between rival traditions became more intimate and relied on a shared conceptual vocabulary.

“Consequently, the critical exchange between rival philosophical traditions became far more intimate, using a shared conceptual vocabulary to formulate and pursue philosophical questions.”

May combine two claims.

Dignāga's tradition was among the most influential in South Asian intellectual history and caused a major shift in how Sanskrit philosophy conceived and organized itself.

“The text tradition growing out of Dignāga's work proved to be among the most influential in South Asian intellectual history, in that it prompted a major transformation in the self-conception and organization of Sanskrit philosophy as a whole.”

• cites [34]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The six systems framework misrepresents Indian philosophy and obscures the central role of Buddhist philosophy.

“In addition to not being historically grounded, the six systems framework completely distorts what Indian philosophy is and masks the critical role of specifically Buddhist philosophy.”

May combine two claims.

Sanskrit philosophers of this era shared standards for rational acceptability and a common framework for stating and defending philosophical claims.

“Sanskrit philosophers of this period held a common understanding of what constituted the standards for rational acceptability and the proper framework through which philosophical claims were to be formulated and defended.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Doxographies such as Madhusūdana's undermine rather than support the six systems narrative.

“The doxographies of thinkers like Madhusūdana actually challenge rather than support the orthodox six systems narrative.”

May combine two claims.

The six systems framework lacks historical grounding and conceptual value, and it misrepresents Indian philosophy and Buddhist philosophy.

“However, the framework is neither historically grounded nor conceptually useful.In fact, it distorts our understanding of Indian philosophy and, in my view, is an entirely inappropriate (if not irresponsible) way to approach its history and that of Buddhist philosophy more specifically.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Their disputes were highly focused, with participants agreeing that a few narrow points were central to their disagreements.

“Their disputes were extremely focused, with everyone understanding that these few narrowly defined points of contention were the key to their disagreements.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

The idea that Buddhist philosophy is distinctive because it belongs to the Buddhist path and is tied to ethics is false and misleading.

“I think this is false, and a very misleading way to understand Buddhist philosophy in India.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

It is hard to deny that Buddhist philosophy has some connection to Buddhism.

“It is, therefore, difficult to deny that Buddhist philosophy is somehow related to Buddhism.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

A conditionally adopted position (vyavasthā) is a kind of philosophically sanctioned white lie-a statement that is only partially true and is used for only specific and philosophically legitimate purposes.

“A conditionally adopted position (vyavasthā) is a kind of philosophically sanctioned “white lie”-a statement which is only partially true and is used for only specific and philosophically legitimate purposes.”

• cites Patil, “Consuming Scripture”Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites idem, Against a Hindu God, chapter 5Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Jñānaśrīmitra's theory of conditionally adopted positions suggests that, for him, the second of the three levels of analysis is the very best a philosopher can do and that the levels below it are just lower order conventions or approximations.

“Jñānśrīmitra's theory of conditionally adopted positions further suggests that, for him, the second of the three levels of analysis is the very best a philosopher can do and that the levels below it are just lower order conventions (adharasaṃvṛtti) or approximations.”

May combine two claims.

Buddhist texts everywhere explore moral psychology, exhort moral behavior, posit moral rules and norms, and explore virtue and high moral ideals.

“though their texts everywhere explore moral psychology, exhort moral behavior, posit moral rules and norms, and explore virtue and high moral ideals”

• cites Dreyfus 1995Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Gowens 2013Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Edelglass 2013Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Level two is the level on which a position is conditionally adopted by Jñānaśrīmitra himself: his own conditionally adopted two-object model of mental content.

“Level two is the level on which a position is conditionally adopted by Jñānaśrīmitra himself: this is the level of Jñānaśrīmitra's own conditionally adopted two-object model of mental content.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The top level is level three, from which Jñānaśrīmitra's own conditionally adopted position on level two can be identified as such, and on which no position is itself adopted conditionally.

“The top level is level three, the level from which Jñānaśrīmitra's own conditionally adopted position on level two can be identified as such, and on which no position is itself adopted conditionally.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Claims made on level zero are not white lies but only falsehoods.

“Unlike the philosophical claims made on level one, however, the claims made on level zero are not white lies, but only falsehoods.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The concept of a text-tradition can be usefully applied not only to Buddhist philosophers but to most historical practitioners of what today is called Indian philosophy.

“The concept of a text-tradition can be usefully applied not only to Buddhist philosophers but to most historical practitioners of what today is called “Indian philosophy.””

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

It is from his privileged philosophical vantage point that Jñānaśrīmitra is able to detect and expose Dharmakīrti's white lies and those of his predecessors in the Buddhist epistemological tradition.

“It is from his privileged philosophical vantage point that he is able to detect and expose Dharmakīrti's white lies and those of his predecessors in the Buddhist epistemological tradition.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

It is more accurate to describe such authors as belonging to a single text tradition.

“It is more accurate to describe them as belonging to a single “text tradition.””

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Vasubandhu's philosophical commitments were not to schools but to more subtle lines of argument about the nature of mental content and the relationship between mind and what we take our world to be.

“Vasubandhu's philosophical commitments were not to schools but to more subtle lines of argument that, in my view, have to do with the nature of mental content and the relationship between mind and what we take our world to be.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Jñānaśrīmitra explains that it is legitimate for this partially true statement to be used in contexts where one needs to expose as false the view that our current actions do not have karmic consequences or that we may experience karmic consequences not resulting from our previous actions.

“Jñānaśrīmitra explains that it is even legitimate for this partially true statement to be used in contexts where one needs to expose as false the view that our current actions do not have karmic consequences (or the view that we may experience karmic consequences that are not the results of our previous actions).”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Only from the vantage point of level two can the position adopted on level one be seen to be just a conditionally adopted one.

“It is, moreover, only from the vantage point of level two that the position adopted on level one can be seen to be just a conditionally adopted one.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Outlining and understanding a Buddhist philosophical text from classical India is not a simple matter, even for a specialist, because reading, modes of arguing, and styles of writing are historically sensitive.

“And given that reading, modes of arguing, and styles of writing are historically sensitive, outlining (and understanding) a Buddhist philosophical text from classical India is not a simple matter, even for a specialist.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

If the philosophical view in which a statement is incorporated is true, then the statement was interpreted correctly.

“If the philosophical view in which that statement is incorporated is true, it was interpreted correctly.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The text-tradition concept represents a much better way of thinking about affiliated groups of philosophers than concepts such as philosophical schools or systems.

“I would argue that it represents a much better way of thinking about affiliated groups of philosophers than do more widely applied concepts such as philosophical “schools” or “systems.””

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In explaining the theory of karma, one may legitimately say that in the future a person will experience the karmic results of actions that he or she now performs.

“in explaining the theory of karma, one may legitimately say that in the future a person will experience the karmic results of actions that (s)he now performs.”

May combine two claims.

Level two is the level that Jñānaśrīmitra relies upon in criticizing his opponent's views, such as the existence of God or Īśvara, and on the basis of which he establishes his own philosophical positions, such as momentariness.

“Level two is also the level that Jñānaśrīmitra relies upon in criticizing his opponent's views-such as the existence of God/Īśvara-and on the basis of which he establishes his own philosophical positions, such as momentariness.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The work of Buddhist philosophers was understood as the basic science through which one could discover the antidote to suffering and thereby contribute to the betterment of the world.

“It was the “basic science” through which one could discover the antidote to suffering and, thereby, contribute to the betterment of the world.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

It is because of their privileged position one level up the philosophical stepladder that Jñānaśrīmitra seems to think that Dignāga and Dharmakīrti were able to clearly see what was going on below.

“It is because of their privileged position one level up the philosophical stepladder that Jñānaśrīmitra seems to think that Dignāga and Dharmakīrti were able to clearly see what was going on below.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The statement that a future person will experience karmic results is not really true since there is no person that endures through time.

“Yet, this is not really true since there is no “person” that endures through time.”

May combine two claims.

According to Jñanaśrīmitra and Ratnakīrti, a philosopher should first argue against opponents' views and show their epistemology fails, then argue for their own views and demonstrate Buddhist epistemology's success, then demonstrate that all existing things are momentary, and finally show that meditating on momentariness allows perceiving all things as momentary.

“According to Jñanaśrīmitra and Ratnakīrti, a philosopher should first argue against the views of their opponents and, in doing so, show them that their epistemology fails.”

• cites Patil, “Dharmakīrti's White-Lie”Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites idem, Against a Hindu GodNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Framing Buddhist philosophy that way obscures that the work is most obviously about ontology, metaphysics, epistemology, language, and mind.

“To take it to be so framed is to obscure what the work is most obviously about-i.e., ontology, metaphysics, epistemology, language, and mind.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Philosophy provided a unique way of appreciating and understanding what the Buddha taught by interrogating fundamental questions about ontology, metaphysics, epistemology, language, and mind and subjecting the answers to critical scrutiny.

“Philosophy provided a unique way of appreciating and understanding what the Buddha taught by interrogating a range of fundamental questions about ontology, metaphysics, epistemology, language, and mind and subjecting the answers that were offered to critical scrutiny.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

According to a consumerist model, properly interpreting and understanding a foundational text means making good use of it in accordance with one's own interests, as a way of being true to it, and in recognition of its uniquely authoritative status.

“According to a consumerist model, what it means to properly interpret and understand a foundational text is just to make good use of it: to consume it, if you will, in accordance with one's own interests; as a way of being true to it; and in recognition of its uniquely authoritative status.”

• cites Patil, “Consuming Scripture”Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Although the second level is the most philosophically rigorous way to understand awareness-events and their contents, it is still a white lie, since such awareness events can be shown to not really have content at all.

“Although it is the most philosophically rigorous way for us to understand awareness-events and their contents, it is still a white lie, since such awareness events can be shown to not really have “content” at all.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Identifying individual philosophers as representing philosophical schools is unhelpful.

“Identifying individual philosophers as representing philosophical “schools” is equally unhelpful.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In Jñānaśrīmitra's view, the first level is characterized by Dignāga and Dharmakīrti's statement that perception is free from conceptual construction and has only a real particular as its object.

“In his view, this first level is characterized by Dignāga and Dharmakīrti's statement that perception is free from conceptual construction (pratyakṣaṃ kalpanāpoḍham) and has only a real particular as its object.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Jñānaśrīmitra's theory suggests that if we are to fully understand the history of Buddhist philosophy in India, it will be necessary to look back on the texts of philosophers such as Dignāga and Dharmakīrti from the vantage point of their successors.

“Jñānaśrīmitra's theory thus suggests that if we are to fully understand the history of Buddhist philosophy in India, it will be necessary to look back on the texts of philosophers such as Dignāga and Dharmakīrti from the vantage point of their successors.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The statement is based on a little bit of the truth, namely, that people generally do construct a mental continuum that they take to be an enduring self or person.

“The statement is, however, based on a “little bit of the truth” (tattvaleśam āśritya), namely, that people generally do construct a mental continuum that they take to be an enduring “self/person.””

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Vasubandhu was neither confused nor inconsistent.

“And yet, Vasbandhu was neither confused nor inconsistent.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

According to Jñānaśrīmitra, his predecessors in the Buddhist epistemological tradition used convenient fictions and partial truths to philosophically educate those who they felt were in error.

“According to Jñānaśrīmitra, his predecessors in the Buddhist epistemological tradition used convenient fictions and partial truths to philosophically educate those who they felt were in error.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The work of Jñanaśrīmitra and Ratnakīrti should not be framed as having to do with progress on the path or how we ought to live.

“Their work in no way should be framed as having to do with progress on the path or how we ought to live.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

A text-tradition model provides a better way of thinking about what those within these traditions do and do not have in common.

“A “text-tradition” model, in my view, provides a better way of thinking about what those who work within these traditions do and do not have in common.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). The quote only partly states this claim.

The views that Dignāga and Dharmakīrti themselves argue against, such as non-Buddhist views, are in the basement, a pseudo-level zero.

“for example, non-Buddhist views-are in the “basement,” a pseudo-level zero.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The work of Buddhist philosophers was like the work of basic scientists today who pursue fundamental questions whose answers are not often of immediate relevance but end up being the basis for transformational medical science or technology in the future.

“to some extent, the work of Buddhist philosophers was like the work of basic scientists today who continue to pursue fundamental questions, the answers to which are not often of immediate relevance but, nevertheless, end up being the basis for transformational medical science or technology in the future.”

May combine two claims.

Buddhists did practice systematic philosophy and were adept at philosophical argumentation.

“This is not because Buddhists did not practice systematic philosophy or were not adept at philosophical argumentation at all”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

To appreciate these lines of argument fully, Vasubandhu's Viṃśikāvṛtti is insufficient.

“To appreciate these lines of argument fully, Vasubandhu's Viṃśikāvṛtti is insufficient.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Jñānaśrīmitra points out that ordinary people could never function without such convenient fictions and that asking them to do so would leave them mentally exhausted.

“Elsewhere, Jñānaśrīmitra points out that ordinary people could never function without such convenient fictions and that asking them to do so would just leave them mentally exhausted”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Mere inclusion of Buddhist texts in the curriculum is not sufficient for Buddhist philosophy to become a proper part of Philosophy.

“Mere inclusion of Buddhists texts in our curriculum is not sufficient for Buddhist philosophy to become a proper part of Philosophy.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

This assumption has led people to assume more consistency than careful observation reveals and little or no real innovation in later commentaries and scholastic works.

“This in turn has led people to assume that there is a great deal more consistency than careful observation reveals and that there is little or no real innovation to be found in later commentaries and “scholastic” works of these traditions.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Relative to level one, the second level is just a higher order convention (ttara-saṃvṛtti).

“Relative to level one, it is just a higher order convention (ttara-saṃvṛtti).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Level three is the level of Jñānaśrīmitra's view that neither perceptual nor inferential awareness has any content at all.

“This is the level of Jñānaśrīmitra's view that neither perceptual nor inferential awareness has any content at all.”