Jeff Lindstrom

Coursework and Related Interests
University of Toronto
2002-2003

Last updated: Wednesday, January 29, 2003

Mahayana Buddhist Philosophy (Term One)

EAS 468 L. Priestley

Carr Hall 405 Tues., Thu. 3-4

(Go to  Term Two.)

Class Notes

·         These unofficial notes were taken by two students: Darryl Sterk (darryl.sterk@utoronto.ca | individual.utoronto.ca/sterk) and me (jeff.lindstrom@utoronto.ca).

·         Darryl usually refers to a tape recording so his notes are reliable. His background in Sinology also comes in handy.

·         My notes tends to be more interpretive, and depended on my dubious handwriting before I got a Palm. Also, I must take full responsibility for the “jokey” subheadings I insert.

14. Thursday, October 24, 2002

a)      Jeff Lindstrom’s Notes

b)      Darryl Sterk’s Notes

15. Thursday, October 29, 2002

a)      Jeff Lindstrom’s Notes

b)      Darryl Sterk’s Notes

16. Thursday, October 31, 2002

a)      Jeff Lindstrom’s Notes

17. Tuesday, November 5, 2002

a)      Jeff Lindstrom’s Notes

b)      Darryl Sterk’s Notes

18. Thursday, November 7, 2002 

a)      Jeff Lindstrom’s Notes

b)      Darryl Sterk’s Notes

19. Tuesday, November 12, 2002

a)      Jeff Lindstrom’s Notes

b)      Darryl Sterk’s Notes

20. Thursday, November 14, 2002

a)      Jeff Lindstrom’s Notes

b)      Darryl Sterk’s Notes

21. Tuesday, November 19, 2002

a)      Jeff Lindstrom’s Notes

b)      Darryl Sterk’s Notes

22. Thursday, November 21, 2002

a)      Jeff Lindstrom’s Notes

b)      Darryl Sterk’s Notes

23. Tuesday, November 26, 2002

a)      Fall Test

24. Thursday, November 28, 2002

a)      Jeff Lindstrom’s Notes

b)      Darryl Sterk’s Notes

25. Tuesday, December 3, 2002

a)      Jeff Lindstrom’s Notes

b)      Darryl Sterk’s Notes

26. Thursday, December 5, 2002

a)      Jeff Lindstrom’s Notes

b)      Darryl Sterk’s Notes

Handouts

1. Nāgārjuna’s Mūlamadhyamakakārikā

1. Introductory verses (doc, jpg)
2. Chapter One (Critique of Conditions or Pratyayaparīk,sā)
1. Page 1 (doc, jpg)
2. Page 2 (doc, jpg)
3. Page 3 (doc, jpg)
4. Page 4 (doc, jpg)
5. All 4 pages (doc)
3. Chapter Two (Critique of the Gone and the Ungone or Gatāgataparīk,sā)
1. All 7 pages (doc)
4. Chapter Eighteen (Critique of the Self or Ātmaparīk,sā)
1. All 3 pages (doc)
5. Chapter Twenty-five (Critique of Nirvā,na or Nirvā,naparīk,sā)
1. All 6 pages (doc)
6. English-only version (Introductory verses, plus chapters one, two, eighteen and twenty-five) (html)

Course Information

·        EAS468Y1
Mahayana Buddhist Philosophy
(formerly EAS360Y1) 52S
Close study of selected Indian and Chinese Mahayana texts in translation, with emphasis on Madhyamaka and Hua-yen.
Exclusion: EAS333Y1/360Y1
Recommended preparation: RLG206Y1
(Source: UofT Calendar Listing)

Reading Lists

1. Recommended background reading
   (Source: UofT Bookstore):
1. Garma CC Chang, The Buddhist Teaching of Totality: The Philosophy of Hwa Yen Buddhism (1971/1998)
2. Thomas Cleary, Entry into the Inconceivable: An Introduction to Hua-Yen Buddhism (1983/1995)
3. Christian Lindtner, tr., Nagarjuna: Master of Wisdom (1987/1998)
4. Paul Williams, Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations (1990)
2. Reading list handout for term one (doc)
1. Page 1 (png)
2. Page 2 (png)
3. Page 3 (png)

Web Pages (My Selection)-
Madhyamaka and Nāgārjuna

The Life of Nâgârjuna by Georg Feuerstein

·        Feuerstein is a yoga scholar and practitioner

·        Nāgārjuna is the traditional founder of Madhyamaka

·        Account is more mytho-biographical than philosophical

Comments and corrections are welcome. Send to jeff.lindstrom@utoronto.ca.