The Conception of Buddhist Nirvana c2: Preface
The Conception of Buddhist Nirvāṇa c2
- Language
- English
Preface
c2.1
Th. Stcherbatsky had rare insight into the Indian Philosophy in general, and Buddhistic Philosophy in particular. His 'Conception of Buddhist Nirvana' has been out of print for more than four decades.
c2.2
Shri Kishore Chand Jain, the enterprising proprietor of Bharatiya Vidya Prakashan, decided to reprint it. The editing of the book was entrusted to me. The language of the book was, at some places, found to be faulty. I, have, corrected those grammatical and idiomatic mistakes which appeared to be glaring. It was not thought proper to take too much liberty with the original book. Some expressions, which are not very satisfactory, but do not mar the sense, have been allowed to stand as they are.
c2.3
I have added 'An Analysis of Contents' by reading which the reader may get a gist of the entire book. The original of the Madhyamaka Kārikās and Chandrakirti's commentary which have been translated by Stcherbatsky has been appended at the end of the book to enhance the utility of the book, so that the reader may be able to profit by a comparative study of the translation and the original Samskrta.
c2.4
I have provided a somewhat long Introduction to the book so that the average reader may get a general idea of the main features of Madhyamaka Philosophy. Shri Kedar Nath Misra, Lecturer in Indian Philosophy and Comparative Religion in Banaras Hindu University obtained for us a copy of Stcherbatsky's book through the courtesy of Dr. N. K. Devaraja, Head of the Philosophy Department of Banaras Hindu University. I am thankful to both of them for this generous help.
c2.5
My thanks are also due se Shri Panna Lal Dhawan, B. A., LL. B., who undertook the arduous task of preparing the index.
c2.6
and to Shri Abhibhushan Bhattacharya M.A. who helped me in the proof-correction of a part of the book.
c2.7
It is hoped that the book together with the Introduction and the Samskrt original will prove to be a handy guide to the Madhyamaka Philosophy.
c2.8
In spite of the best care, a few misprints have crept in for which we crave the indulgence of the readers A list of the main misprints together with their corrections has been given at the end of the book.
c2.9
In the Introduction M. K. stands for Madhamaka Kārikās and P. P. for Prasannapadā commentary on Madhyamaka Kārikās by Candrakīrti.
c2.10
Jaideva Singh