Papers by Laul Jadu-Singh
For most scholars, the doctrine of emptiness (Skt. śūnyatā, P. suññatā) is associated exclusively... more For most scholars, the doctrine of emptiness (Skt. śūnyatā, P. suññatā) is associated exclusively with the Mahāyāna, especially with the "inherent emptiness" (svabhāva-śūnyatā) interpretation of Nāgārjuna and the Mādhyamaka school. However, emptiness is also a central doctrine of the Buddhism of the Pāli Nikāyas. Therein, the idea appears in various contexts and synonyms. Closely associated with the notion of śūnyatā are those of adventitious defilement (āgantuka-kilesa) and luminous consciousness (pabhāssara cittam). In particular, the Cūla Suññatā and Mahā Suññatā Suttas of the Majjhima Nikāya (M 121, 122) present the doctrine in the context of meditative praxis. There, the emphasis is on the complementary idea of other-emptiness (para-śūnyatā) in contradistinction to the svabhāva-śūnyatā of the Mādhyamaka. My purpose is to demonstrate, mainly on the basis of the aforementioned Suttas, and with reference to some later developments, how suññatā and its related tenets as they appear in the Pāli Nikāyas, become the basis for the latest phases of Buddhist doctrine, namely Tathāgatagarbha-vāda and Vajrayāna. Thereby, the thread of continuity linking apparently incompatible and discontinuous doctrines in Buddhism is revealed.
This essay examines the evidence for Buddhist influences on the early foundations of Christianity... more This essay examines the evidence for Buddhist influences on the early foundations of Christianity which have been widely speculated but only more recently conclusively established by sophisticated textual-philological scholarship. This is a sensitive topic in the history of religions which now warrants study and publicity, especially in the light of Christian exclusivist theological claims and the historically aggressive proselytizing agenda of Christianity in traditional Buddhist lands. In more neutral terms, this is presented in the spirit of a contribution to the history of religions and more generally, to the history of ideas.
Our common task is twofold: to deconstruct the ideological basis for caste and casteism (that is ... more Our common task is twofold: to deconstruct the ideological basis for caste and casteism (that is caste consciousness) which is acknowledged by broad consensus to be an urgent and critical issue in Indian society which demands immediate and dispassionate analysis. The second is constructive, that is to formulate and propose a viable solution, conceived in consensus and meeting the rational and dispassionate criteria detailed in the guidelines provided. In other words, our analysis and solution must at least approach the rigor of scientific methodology. That there are enormous obstacles to the dispassionate and scientific examination of any problematic ethical, religious or sociological issue will not be difficult to acknowledge. The issue of caste involves all three of the above mentioned categories and is perceived as problematic in India and abroad. Though the actual, i.e., sociological, religious and ethical problem for India domestically cannot be assessed in isolation from the perceptual problem, i.e. the image of Indian (in particular Hindu) society in India and abroad, it must be acknowledged that this side of the issue is at least as problematic as the other. Indeed, the perception of Indian society as unregenerately discriminatory and incorrigibly regressive in its clinging to casteism, easily overshadows all other would-be positive judgments concerning India and it's millennial civilization. The image of India is so severely tainted that positive achievements of Indian culture and civilization are diminished thereby. That malignment and vilification of Indian society and Hindu religion continue unabated since colonial times should be of concern to every thoughtful Indian. Caste is considered on a par with the oppressive regime that until recently prevailed in apartheid South Africa and the enduring legacy of slavery in the USA. Christian missionaries still employ the denunciation of caste as the basis for conversion as did Muslims before them. These motivated critics are quick to highlight the discriminatory character of caste as the defining feature of Hindu religion and Indian sociology.
The purpose of this study is to reappraise the relationship between Buddhism and Hinduism, the tw... more The purpose of this study is to reappraise the relationship between Buddhism and Hinduism, the two main religio-philosophical traditions of India in their complex history and mutual evolution. Certain dogmas prevalent among Indian and non-Indians, Hindus, Buddhists and Western scholars alike, will be examined and refuted. Among popular misconceptions (dogmas) prevalent among Hindus to be refuted are the a-historical and philosophically inaccurate traditionalist claims that Buddhism is a derivative, offshoot or heresy of Hinduism. Another is the dogma of the disappearance of Buddhism from India (shared by Hindus, Buddhists and Western scholars alike) and the sometimes-accompanying chauvinistic triumphal claims that the Vedic tradition reasserted itself under Śaṅkara and expelled Buddhism from India. Western scholars, on the other hand, have tended to either confound the two traditions entirely, not properly distinguishing their respective tenets or exaggerating their differences, failing to understand the profundity of mutual development, mutual assimilation and mutual evolution. Buddhists are also guilty of dismissing the philosophies of the so-called Astika systems too lightly in polemical zeal. This admixture of misconceptions and dogmas has created an intellectual atmosphere which hinders the accurate understanding of the long history of interaction of the great Dharmic soteriological systems of India. Such an atmosphere is ill-suited to the realization of the vision cherished by the illustrious sage Swāmi Vivekānanda for a re-unification or reintegration of Buddhism and Hinduism which he deemed vital to the integrity and healing of Indian civilization. This is a vision shared and advocated by the present author.
Conference Presentations by Laul Jadu-Singh
This essay examines the evidence for Buddhist influences on the early foundations of Christianity... more This essay examines the evidence for Buddhist influences on the early foundations of Christianity which have been widely speculated but only more recently conclusively established by sophisticated textualphilological scholarship. This is a sensitive topic in the history of religions which now warrants study and publicity, especially in the light of Christian exclusivist theological claims and the historically aggressive proselytizing agenda of Christianity in traditional Buddhist lands. In more neutral terms, this is presented in the spirit of a contribution to the history of religions and more generally, to the history of ideas.
Uploads
Papers by Laul Jadu-Singh
Conference Presentations by Laul Jadu-Singh