Four Illusions: Candrakirti's Advice for Travelers on the Bodhisattva Path

by Candrakīrti, Karen C. Lang (Translator)

This book provides the first English translation of Candrakirti's commentary (ca. 6-7th century C.E.) on four illusions that prevent us from becoming Buddhas. Lang's translation captures the clarity of Candrakirti's arguments and the lively humor of the stories and examples he uses. Lang's introduction explores the range of Candrakirti's interests in religion, philosophy, psychology, politics, and erotic poetry.

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

[A] khenpo of Nālandā Mahāvihāra and a disciple of Nāgārjuna and a commentator on his works and those of his main disciple, Āryadeva. Candrakīrti was the most famous member of what the Tibetans came to call the dbU-ma thal-'gyur, an approach to the interpretation of Madhyamaka philosophy sometimes back-translated into Sanskrit as Prāsaṅgika Madhyamaka or rendered in English as the "Consequentialist" or "Dialecticist" school.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandrak...)

Reviews

[Kamakana · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you like this review i now have website: www.michaelkamakana.com

230913: this is commentary on commentary. on 'root wisdom of the middle way' by nagarjuna. there are two parts: 1) introduction 2) translations/interpretations of candrakirti on ayvedra. assertion of causality...

1) sets up the ways these four illusions are apparent as i. mortal bodies. ii the body in pain. iii danger of corporeal pleasure. iv king as egotism
2) i. reject illusion of permanence
ii. reject illusion of pleasure
iii. reject illusion of purity
iv. reject illusion of egotism...

as title says, this is 'advice' primarily directed to monks I guess. certainly the focus on apparent purity/beauty of young women versus reality of excrement, pus, saliva, fluids, pus etc of young women betrays hysterical fear of female body. which might be useful in dissuading, dampening, ardor of young monks...