This book argues that the Indian ascetic traditions have two independent sources, the one Vedic, the other non-Vedic. This point of view has been expressed here and there in the scholarly literature, but it has never yet been argued in detail on the basis of textual evidence. The primary evidence is as follows: Early Indian literature - primarily the Epics, Buddhist and Jaina literature - explicitly differentiates between two types of ascetics, who distinguish themselves from each other in their aims, as well as in various other respects.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
«With characteristic acuity, Bronkhorst analyses the early sources, mainly Dharmasutra texts, the early Upanisads, and the Mahabharata, and presents his arguments with admirable conciseness and clarity...The immensely important role which asceticism in a broad sense of the term has played - and indeed continues to play - in Indian religions (including Buddhism) certainly justifies the effort to arrive at a better understanding of its origins. Bronkhorst's study is a major contribution in this respect, and surely will not fail to stimulate further research.» (Per Kværne, Acta Orientalia)
Reihe
Monographien / monographes
13
Sprache
Verlagsort
Zielgruppe
Editions-Typ
Maße
Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-3-906750-82-8 (9783906750828)
Schweitzer Klassifikation
The Author: Johannes Bronkhorst was born in 1946 in the Netherlands. Indological studies in Poona (doctorate 1979) and Leiden (doctorate 1980). Since 1987 Professor of Sanskrit and Indian studies at the University of Lausanne.
Contents: The Apastamba Dharmasutra and Megasthenes - The asramas in their historical development - The special position of Buddhism.
