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Nagarjuna in Context – Mahayana Buddhism and Early Indian Culture
Author(s): Joseph Walser (Author)
- Publisher: Columbia University Press
- Publication Date: 3 Jun. 2005
- Language: English
- Print length: 368 pages
- ISBN-10: 023113164X
- ISBN-13: 9780231131643
Book Description
Joseph Walser provides the first examination of Nagarjuna’s life and writings in the context of the religious and monastic debates of the second century CE. Walser explores how Nagarjuna secured the canonical authority of Mahayana teachings and considers his use of rhetoric to ensure the transmission of his writings by Buddhist monks. Drawing on close textual analysis of Nagarjuna’s writings and other Buddhist and non-Buddhist sources, Walser offers an original contribution to the understanding of Nagarjuna and the early history of Buddhism.
Editorial Reviews
Review
Nagarjuna in Context reads as a heartfelt and intelligent search.–Tom Hannes “Acta Comparanda”
Nagarjuna in Context: Mahayana Buddhism and Early Indian Culture offers a significant step towards clarifying the mysteries and myths that surround the name of Nagarjuna.–Benjamin Bogin “BUDDHADHARMA”
Rich and rewarding… Walser is to be congratulated for writing a text that will surely provoke productive debate.–Richard Nance “H-Net Book review”
Walser’s argument and mastery of scholarly materials ensure that this work will make an enduring contribution. Highly recommended.–E. Findly “Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries”
About the Author
Joseph Walser is associate professor and department chair of comparative religion at Tufts University.
