Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies Vol. 3: Advaita Vedanta up to Samkara and his Pupils (v. 3) [Hardcover]

Karl H. Potter (Author, Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 8120803108 | ISBN-13: 978-8120803107 | Publication Date: January 1, 2008

This volume summarizes what we know of early Advaita Vedanta upto the Samkara's pupils, Suresvara, Padmapada, Totaka and Hanstamalaka. An analytical introduction by the editor introduces the reader to the concepts utilized by Gaudapada, Samkaracarya and mandana Misra in expounding and defending the Advaita view. This is followed by summaries of all the authentic Advaita works of these authors, together with those of Suresvara and Padmapada as well as a number of other works which have been attributed to samkara, Totaka and Hastamalaka. This volume is divided into two parts and is enriched with an elaborate introduction discussing briefly the history of the school, its theories of value, language and relations and its metaphysics and epistemology.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Karl H. Potter is professor of Philosophy and South Asian Studies at the University of Washington is Seattle, and is General Editor of the Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 635 pages
• Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8120803108
• ISBN-13: 978-8120803107
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,904,357 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars With due respect, Steve didn't get it., March 23, 2007

By 

A student - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies Vol. 3: Advaita Vedanta up to Samkara and his Pupils (v. 3) (Hardcover)

The avowed function of this book is to discuss the Advaita tradition from a *philosophical* perspective. It is not a handbook on meditation but a discussion on the crucial philosophical *arguments* which the Adviatin scholars and sages gave in support of their tradition. So, there is no fault if it does well what it tries to--and it does.

Readers like Steve would be better served by Shambala-type books, which don't get too heavy on the discursive thought, but revel in the OM-yness. This book is for scholars and practitioners who want to go deeper into the philosophical underpinnings of this meditational tradition.

2 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Bad account on Advaita Vedanta, June 8, 2003

By 

Steve Uhlig (Berlin, Germany) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies Vol. 3: Advaita Vedanta up to Samkara and his Pupils (v. 3) (Hardcover)

While other volumes deal with largely "philosophically-minded" works (Nyaya-Vaisesika in vol. 2 and 6, Samkhya in vol. 4, Buddhism in vol. 7 and 8), i'm not sure Advaita Vedanta can be dealt with from a philosophical perspective without removing most of its content. Advaita Vedanta is rather spiritual and religious than philosophical in purpose. Advaita is not to be analyzed from a philosophical perspective. This leaves an impression that these scholars have not understood the content of Advaita when reading it (have they really read it ?). If one reads the Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam and other Advaita texts, one will soon realize that the stories they contain have not just a moral purpose. Their intent concerns the reader, not just ontological aspects as in philosophy but consequences on everyone's life. The purpose is not about trying to win arguments by word jugglery, but to provide spiritual insight for the reader. So i think that this volume misses largely its point, by restricting Advaita to what it is not intended to be. Rather read the non-scholarly works available everywhere than this volume.