[Buddha-l] recommendations for books on Madhyamika

[curt]

Either Gethin's or Williams introductory texts on Buddhism will give you 
a good starting point (but they aren't exactly for "idiots"). Peter 
Harvey's introductory book does not deal with Madhyamika in as much 
detail as those other two. Williams' probably does the best job on 
Madhyamika and Yogacara. Williams also has a separate book just on 
"Mahayana Buddhism" - but I have only read the first few chapters of 
that - I haven't gotten up to Madhyamika yet. As far as Zen goes, Zen 
has an annoying anti-intellectual streak in it - a bug up its arse, 
really. This anti-intellectualism is not "inherhent" in Zen at all. 
Bodhidharma brought the Lankavatara Sutra with him from India, and his 
personal copy of that sutra came to be considered, along with his robe 
and bowl, something like the "Excalibur" of Zen - whoever "possessed" it 
was top-dog. But they all - robe, bowl and book, eventually fade out of 
the "transmission stories". Anyway - the Lankavatara is considered a 
"Yogacara" influenced Sutra. My point is: don't bother going around 
saying to Zen folks, "so Zen is connected with Madhamika?" - you'll 
either get blank stares or you'll be criticized for "thinking" too much.
- Curt

Michael Paris wrote:

>So Zen is connected with Madhyamika philosophy?
>
>Any recommendations for books on Madhyamika, preferably suitable for
>one without much background?
>
>(Is there a Madhyamika For Dummies, or an Idiot's Guide to Madhyamika?)
>
>
>Michael
>
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