The first part of the Versified Commentary on the M lin tantra (M lin lokv rttika) by the tenth-century theologian Abhinavagupta; which is translated here for the first time; presents a philosophy of aiva revelation; conceived of as a descent of the highest non-dual form of knowledge; through the different levels of speech; into the knowledge embodied in the canon of Tantras or Agamas on which the aiva religion is based. The aim of the text is to demonstrate the logic behind the claim of the monistic Tantric schools on which Abhinavagupta bases his philosophy. The present volume deals in its introduction with the scriptural background of the aiva religion because that is a prerequisite for understanding many of the arguments in the text. The translation is accompanied by a re-edition of the Sanskrit text with the help of two manuscripts not consulted before; and a running commentary. A fragment of the r ka; which is probably the source for some of Abhinavaguptas theories of the aiva canon; is transcribed in an appendix."
#4260657 in Books 2007-12-12Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.59 x 2.15 x 6.63l; 3.95 #File Name: 9004157565975 pages
Review
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful. Important; Translations into EnglishBy P. NagyParacelsus (Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim; 1493-1541): Essential Theoretical Writings edited; introduced; translated by Andrew Weeks (Aries Book Series: Brill) The daunting writings of Paracelsus--the second largest 16th-century body of writings in German after Luther's--contributed to medicine; natural science; alchemy; philosophy; theology; and esoteric tradition. This volume provides a critical edition of essential writings from the authoritative 1589 Huser Paracelsus alongside new English translations and commentary on the sources and context of the full corpus. The Essential Theoretical Writings incorporate topics ranging from metaphyics; cosmology; faith; religious conflict; magic; gender; and education; to the processes of nature; disease and medication; female and male sufferings; and cures of body and soul. Properly contextualized; these treatises yield rich extracts of Renaissance and Reformation culture; soundings of 16th-century life; and keys to an influential but poorly understood early modern intellectual tradition. This work will supersede all other translations into English and lays an admirable foundation for future balanced and depth studies of Paracelsus.Andrew Weeks is Professor of German at Illinois State University; with a doctorate in Comparative Literature from the University of Illinois; has published intellectual biographies of Jacob Boehme; Paracelsus; Valentin Weigel; a history of German mysticism; and translations of Weigel's writings. He is well qualified to help in the reform of this pivotal figure standing between tradition and the innovations of science.Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim; known as Paracelsus (1493-1541); was one of the most original and prolific authors of sixÂteenth-century Europe. Commonly remembered as an itinerate physimedical innovator; philosopher of nature; and alchemist; he was also a lay theologian; theorist of the supernatural; and rebel against institutions and traditions. In the course of the 1520s; he chalÂlenged academic and urban authorities in Switzerland and South GerÂmany by demanding medical reforms. Rebuffed by his opponents; he continued wandering for the remainder of his life; disseminating as an author; polemicist; and physician his understanding of medicine and nature. He died an obscure death in Salzburg; but before the end of the century his influence had spread; resulting in posthumous partisan controversies between advocates and detractors.
