Publisher's Synopsis
Taking as its starting point the essay Summary of the refutation of God (Isvarapakaran?asan?ks?epa, abbr. IAS)of San?karanandana (940/50-1020/30 in Kashmir), this study sets out the development of the polemic debate between the Buddhist epistemological school and the theistic Nyaya-Vaises?ika school from its initial stages, as observed in the works of Dharmakirti (ca. 600-660). For this purpose the relevant passages from Dharmakirtis Praman?avarttika (PV 2.8-16) and Praman?aviniscaya (PVin 3.70-75), together with the commentaries by Devendrabuddhi, Sakyabuddhi, Dharmottara and Manorathanandin, are presented in a critical edition with an annotated translation. This (critical and facsimile) edition and the interpretation of the IAS, makes a work by San?karanandana accessible for the first time. The edition is supplemented by an incomplete anonymous commentary that deals with about half of the IAS. An introductory study discusses and explains Dharmakirtis arguments against the existence of God, emphasized in the polemics of the following centuries, as well as relevant material from the works of Santaraks?ita, Kamalasila and Prajn akaragupta. Another focus of ths study is the theistic traditions rejection of Buddhist criticism. Here, the corresponding counterarguments of Sankarasvamin, Trilocana, Vacaspatimisra, Jayantabhat?t?a, Bhasarvajn a and Vittoka that determine the polemic debate are depicted on the basis of a systematic presentation of selected passages. The study is rounded off with a philosophical-historical classification of San?karanandanas IAS with respect to the arguments of the aforementioned scholars and in the light of Utpaladevas treatise Proof of the existence of God (Isvarasiddhi).
