Problems and Principles of Reconstruction of Certain Concepts of Philosophy and Cultural Narratives (Methodological Considerations)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4-1) ◽  
pp. 112-128
Author(s):  
Vadim Rozin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Historical Reconstruction ◽  
Cultural Narratives ◽  
Ancient India ◽  
Text Interpretation ◽  
Problem Situations ◽  
Foreign Culture ◽  
Basic Ideas ◽  
Methodological Considerations ◽  
The Buddha

The article deals with the problems and principles of reconstruction of certain concepts of philosophy and cultural narratives. The reason was the discussion of N. Kanaeva's report at the Institute of Philosophy, read at a seminar on the geography of rationality. Analyzing V. Bibikhin's work "Wittgenstein: Change of Aspect", the author poses the problem of correctly (to avoid contradictions and reach an understandable logic of text interpretation) reading the narratives of a foreign culture or even the narratives of one's own culture, but belonging to a different direction of thought. Such a reading, he claims, presupposes special optics, a hermeneutic concept and a cultural-historical reconstruction. To introduce and clarify what can be understood by such concepts (optics, concept and reconstruction), an analysis of two cases is proposed: semiotic schemes and G. Oldenberg's study of the Buddha's teachings. The schemes are discussed on the basis of the works of Plato ("Feast" and "Timaeus"). The author shows that Plato in "The Feast" constructs schemes for solving problem situations and specifying ideal objects, and in "Timaeus" he discusses the nature of schemes. In turn, Oldenberg reconstructs the prehistory of Buddhism and the basic ideas proposed by the Buddha. A feature of its reconstruction is an appeal to the culture of Ancient India, an analysis of the ancient Hindu consciousness and mentality, a discussion of the features of Buddhist discourse. The author concludes that if the ideas about Buddhism outlined by Oldenberg are used for the purpose of understanding Buddhist narratives, then these ideas as optics can be summed up under the notion of a hermeneutic concept. This concept is structured in such a way that it clearly takes into account the peculiarities of the Hindu culture and mentality, as different from the European ones.

Mathematical and Computational Modeling in Clinical Psychology

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard W. J. Neufeld
Keyword(s):  
Computational Modeling ◽  
Clinical Science ◽  
Significant Information ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Neuro Imaging ◽  
Basic Ideas ◽  
Specific Disorders ◽  
Methodological Considerations ◽  
Model Features ◽  
Mathematical And Computational Modeling

This chapter begins with an introduction to the basic ideas behind clinical mathematical and computational modeling. In general, models of normal cognitive-behavioral functioning are titrated to accommodate performance deviations accompanying psychopathology; model features remaining intact indicate functions that are spared; those that are perturbed are triaged as signifying functions that are disorder affected. Distinctions and interrelations among forms of modeling in clinical science and assessment are stipulated, with an emphasis on analytical, mathematical modeling. Preliminary conceptual and methodological considerations are presented. Concrete examples illustrate the benefits of modeling as applied to specific disorders. Emphasis in each case is on clinically significant information uniquely yielded by the modeling enterprise. Implications for the functional side of clinical functional neuro-imaging are detailed. Challenges to modeling in the domain of clinical science and assessment are described, as are tendered solutions. The chapter ends with a description of continuing challenges and future opportunities.

The Vajrakīla Tantras

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Boord
Keyword(s):  
Complete System ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Ancient India ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Total Destruction ◽  
Sanskrit Word ◽  
The World ◽  
The One ◽  
The Buddha ◽  
Vital Element

Belonging to an esoteric corpus of Buddhist texts known as the teachings of secret mantra (Skt. guhyamantra), the tantras of Vajrakīla have been carefully guarded through the centuries and handed down from teacher to disciple under a strictly ethical code of conduct. Although the texts themselves often seem to advocate a violent and unrestrained lifestyle, under the skillful guidance of a suitably qualified guru, who must be seen by the disciple as none other than the Buddha himself, one who seriously engages in the systematic practice of their profound series of meditations becomes quickly and thoroughly purified in body, speech, and mind. The wrathful deity Vajrakīla is described in all the tantras that bear his name as the manifestation of heroic power for the overthrow of Māra. During times of peace he manifests as Vajrasattva, and his mind abides in tranquility. During times of activity he manifests as “Vajra of Total Destruction” (Skt. *Ativināśanavajra) and, when manifesting as a bodhisattva, he is Vajrapāṇi, “the One with a Vajra in his Hand.” With regard to his name “Vajrakīla”: vajra as a prefix is found everywhere within the Buddhist tantras. Originally meaning “the hard or mighty one” and referring in particular to the thunderbolt as a weapon of Indra, it subsequently became so intimately associated with the development of tantric ideas in Buddhism that the entire system of practice came to be known as the Vajrayāna or Vajra Vehicle. Indeed, as a symbol within the Buddhist tantras it is as pregnant with meaning as the very texts themselves. Characterized as abhedya, “unbreakable,” and acchedya, “indivisible,” the term may be said to represent nothing less than the full enlightenment of the samyaksaṃbuddha, who himself came to be referred to as Vajradhara, “Holder of the Vajra.” The Sanskrit word kīla means “nail,” “peg,” or “spike,” and thus Vajrakīla may be taken to mean “the unassailable spike” or, on a higher level, “(He who is) the nail of supreme enlightenment.” Introduced to Tibet during the 8th century ce, the Buddhist tantras of Vajrakīla were received with great enthusiasm and quickly became established as a vital element in the religious life of the Tibetan empire. Said to encompass every aspect of the ground, path, and goal, the Vajrakīla tantras present a coherent and complete system of spiritual practice that culminates in the attainment of perfect liberation from the round of rebirth. The roots of Kīla mythology, however, may lie buried deep within the pre-Buddhist religion of ancient India where, in the Ṛgveda, the story is told of the god Indra who slew the demon Vṛtra. It is said that, at that time, Indra stabilized the earth and propped up the heavens with a kīla and thus, at the outset, we have clearly discernible indications of a path along which a simple wooden stake might travel so as eventually to become deified as a terrifying god of awesome power, one by whom all demons are vanquished and enlightenment realized for the benefit of the world.

The Term “Tathagata” and the Situation of the Verbal Duel in Ancient India: Who is the Tathagata?

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 394-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yevgeniy G. Vyrschikov
Keyword(s):  
Literal Meaning ◽  
Truth Telling ◽  
Ancient India ◽  
Pali Canon ◽  
The Buddha ◽  
Pāli Canon

This article concerns the origin of the early Buddhist term tathagata (on Pali and Sanskrit material). This way, if you judge according to the Pali Canon, is of ancient pre-Buddhist origin. The “Digha-Nikaya” Sutras provides us with a number of nontrivial contexts of the use of this word, allowing us to accurately establish its etymology and literal meaning. In addition, these contexts suggest a special connection of Tathagata (as an image of the Buddha) with “truth telling”.

How and Why should We Write the History of Twentieth-Century Economics?

2001 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger E. Backhouse
Keyword(s):  
Specific Problem ◽  
The Other ◽  
Historical Reconstruction ◽  
Problem Situations ◽  
Historical Reconstructions ◽  
History Of ◽  
Abstract Level ◽  
Alternative Approaches ◽  
Is Value ◽  
Better Than

Most discussions of how one should write the history of economics are conducted at a very abstract level. They debate the merits of alternative approaches without relating them to specific problem-situations or specific periods. The literature uses terms such as “absolutism,” “relativism,” “Whig history,” “thick history,” “historical reconstructions,” “rational reconstructions,” and “presentism,” frequently arguing that one of these approaches is better than one or more of the others. In warning historians of economics against sin, they typically define sin in absolute terms. This is particularly true of those who argue for “relativism,” “thick history,” “historical reconstructions” and the like. There is a simple reason for this. Terms such as “absolutism,” “Whig history,” and “presentism” all carry negative connotations, with the result that their advocates usually feel impelled to qualify them. On the other hand, supporters of “historical reconstruction,” “thick history” and so on feel much less pressure to offer such qualifications—the words used have the sound of “real” history. The terminology itself is value-laden.

scholarly journals VII. Note on the Middle Country of Ancient India

1904 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-93
Author(s):  
T. W. Rhys Davids
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Golden Mean ◽  
Ancient India ◽  
Middle Way ◽  
Religious Parties ◽  
The One ◽  
The Buddha ◽  
Moderate Position ◽  
The Ideal

Numerous examples might be quoted of philosophical, or political, or religious parties who have claimed for themselves a central, or a moderate, position, far removed from the ignorances and foolishnesses of the extremists on either side. There are even cases in which the critical historian may observe that, on a fair survey of the points in dispute at the time and place in question, the claim is fairly justified. So the Buddha claimed for his view of life that it was the Middle Way between worldliness, or indifference, on the one side, and asceticism on the other. So Aristotle described the ideal virtue as the Golden Mean.

scholarly journals Position of Women in Buddhism: Spiritual and Cultural Activities

2012 ◽  
pp. 75-84
Author(s):  
Belu Rani Barua
Keyword(s):  
Ancient India ◽  
Cultural Activities ◽  
The Enlightenment ◽  
The Arts ◽  
The Buddha ◽  
Women In Buddhism

The Buddha is a great benefactor of humanity. After the attainment of the Enlightenment in Bodhgaya and preaching First Sermon in Sarnath, the Buddha founded the order of Monks (Bhikkhusangha). This order of Monks increased and within forty five years of Buddha’s ministry it had spread throughout ancient India. But groundless belief of Brahmins is that woman is inferior to man. The position which the woman lost under the dominance of the Brahmins of the day evidently showed little sympathy for her. In this article I will explore the position of women considering their spiritual and cultural activities.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/afj.v4i0.12933 The Arts Faculty Journal Vol.4 July 2010-June 2011 pp.75-84

A New Publication on the Date and Historiography of the Buddha's Decease (nirvāṉa): a Review Article

1999 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-87
Author(s):  
D. Seyfort Ruegg
Keyword(s):  
Indian Philosophy ◽  
Western India ◽  
Eastern India ◽  
Achaemenid Empire ◽  
Indian History ◽  
Ancient India ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Buddha ◽  
North Western

The date of the demise, or (Mahapāri)Nirvāṉa, of the historical Buddha Śākyamuni is one of the key chronological markers in early Indian history, one which has therefore been of pivotal importance to modern scholarship on ancient India. Whilst the dates of the conquest of Gandhāara and Sindh by the Achaemenid empire and the dates of Alexander's campaigns in the subcontinent are among the very oldest established for the history of north-western India, that of the Nirvāna of the Buddha has long been regarded as the oldest more or less fixed chronological value in the history of north-eastern India. The dating of the Buddha has a crucial significance for the dates of certain ancient Indian kings-Bimbisara of Magadha and Prasenajit (Pasenadi) of Kosala -and for that of the Jain Tīrthaṅkara Mahāvīra, for the development of Jainism and the Śramaṉa movement, and for the earlier history of the Brahmanical religion and the oldest Indian philosophy, including the thought of the Upaniṣads. Moreover, quite apart from its importance for South Asia alone, the consensus (apparently) obtaining among scholars about the time of the Buddha contributed to the elaboration by Karl Jaspers, in his book of 1955 entitled Vom Ursprung und Ziel der Geschichte, of the concept of an Axial Age (‘Achsenzeit’) around 500 B.C. when a number of epoch-making events are thought to have taken place in the ancient Eurasian world.

A hitchhiker’s guide to microscopy and microanalysis using telecommunications, e-mail, and the Internet

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 390-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nestor J. Zaluzec
Keyword(s):  
The Internet ◽  
Information Superhighway ◽  
The World ◽  
Exchange Information ◽  
On Line ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Software And Hardware ◽  
Communication Software ◽  
Basic Ideas ◽  
E Mail

The Information SuperHighway, Email, The Internet, FTP, BBS, Modems, : all buzz words which are becoming more and more routine in our daily life. Confusing terminology? Hopefully it won't be in a few minutes, all you need is to have a handle on a few basic concepts and terms and you will be on-line with the rest of the "telecommunication experts". These terms all refer to some type or aspect of tools associated with a range of computer-based communication software and hardware. They are in fact far less complex than the instruments we use on a day to day basis as microscopist's and microanalyst's. The key is for each of us to know what each is and how to make use of the wealth of information which they can make available to us for the asking. Basically all of these items relate to mechanisms and protocols by which we as scientists can easily exchange information rapidly and efficiently to colleagues in the office down the hall, or half-way around the world using computers and various communications media. The purpose of this tutorial/paper is to outline and demonstrate the basic ideas of some of the major information systems available to all of us today. For the sake of simplicity we will break this presentation down into two distinct (but as we shall see later connected) areas: telecommunications over conventional phone lines, and telecommunications by computer networks. Live tutorial/demonstrations of both procedures will be presented in the Computer Workshop/Software Exchange during the course of the meeting.

948: Urogenital Surgery in Ancient India

2006 ◽  
Vol 175 (4S) ◽  
pp. 306-306
Author(s):  
Alexandria C. Lynch ◽  
Anup P. Ramani ◽  
Manoj Monga
Keyword(s):  
Ancient India
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document