Review by Choice Review
The second-century philosopher N~g~rjuna is a key figure in the development of Mah~y~na Buddhism in India. In this eminently persuasive book, Walser (Tufts) acknowledges the significant contributions N~g~rjuna made to using logical arguments to arrive at "counterintuitive" conclusions, but he argues that N~g~rjuna's importance may be better understood as creating survival strategies that responded to specific needs of the social and institutional context of his time. Walser explores the role of the "third audience": not N~g~rjuna's supporters, nor his critics, but the monk and lay audience in control of Mah~y~na resources, for one of N~g~rjuna's strategic goals was to incorporate Mah~y~na texts into the industry of text reproduction and preservation. Walser examines how N~r~rjuna applied the vinaya pi^D.taka, the stra pi^D.taka, and the abhidharma pi^D.taka to such things as teaching Mah~y~na and producing Mah~y~na texts in Mah~s~^D:nghika monasteries, where questions of monastic schism, property rights, and legal and economic issues would arise. The best way for Mah~y~nists to reproduce their texts was to mask them within those already fit for reproduction. Thus, N~g~rjuna becomes less a founder of a specific school than a promoter of Mah~y~na in general. Walser's argument and mastery of scholarly materials ensure that this work will make an enduring contribution. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above. E. Findly Trinity College (CT)
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
