Dharmottar Pradip

This is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Dharmottar Pradip" by Dalsukh Malvania, based on the scanned pages:

Book Title: Dharmottar Pradip Author: Pandita Durveka Misra (The presented text is a sub-commentary) Editor: Pandita Dalsukhbhai Malvania Publisher: Kashiprasad Jayswal Anushilan Samstha (Kashiprasad Jayaswal Research Institute), Patna Year of Publication: 1955 Series: Tibetan Sanskrit Works Series, Volume II

Core Subject: The book presents the Sanskrit text of Pandita Durveka Misra's Dharmottara Pradip, which is a sub-commentary on Acharya Dharmottara's Nyayabindutika. The Nyayabindutika, in turn, is a commentary on Acharya Dharmakirti's Nyayabindu. Therefore, the Dharmottara Pradip delves into the intricate details of Buddhist logic, specifically expounding upon Dharmakirti's foundational work and Dharmottara's commentary.

Key Contents and Structure:

The book is a critical edition and includes the following major sections:

1. Preface of the General Editor (Dr. A. S. Altekar):

   • Highlights the significance of the K. P. Jayaswal Research Institute's mission to promote historical research and publish valuable ancient texts.
   • Emphasizes the importance of this work as the second volume in the Tibetan Sanskrit Texts Series.
   • Notes that this text is being published for the first time in Sanskrit, based on manuscripts preserved in Tibet.
   • Explains the necessity of including the original Nyayabindu and the Nyayabindutika for the intelligibility of Dharmottara Pradip.
   • Discusses the inter-connectedness of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain philosophical traditions, citing examples of mutual criticism and commentary.
   • Appreciates the contribution of commentators in developing logic and philosophy beyond mere explanation.
   • Thanks the editor, Pandita Dalsukhbhai Malvania, for his meticulous work and the valuable introduction.
   • Expresses gratitude to Pandit Sukhlalji for his review and suggestions, and Muni Punyavijayji for providing crucial manuscripts.

2. Introduction (English and Hindi):

   • Critical Apparatus: Details the manuscripts and published works utilized in preparing the edition, including several manuscripts from the Jaina Jnana Bhandara in Jaisalmer (C and D), manuscripts in the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (B), and the Santinatha Jaina Bhandara in Khambhat (A). It also references published editions like Peterson's (P) and Stcherbatsky's (E). It also mentions the photo manuscripts brought from Tibet by Rahula Sankrityayana.
   • History of Buddhist Logic: Traces the development of Buddhist logic from Buddha's teachings to the era of Dharmakirti and his successors. It discusses the influence of contemporary philosophical debates, the role of dialectics, the contributions of Dignaga and Dharmakirti, and the continuation of this tradition in Tibet and China.
   • Dharmakirti and his Tradition: Provides an overview of Dharmakirti's key works (Pramana-vartika, Nyaya-bindu, etc.) and his critical engagement with both Hindu and earlier Buddhist thinkers. It categorizes Dharmakirti's commentators into philological, philosophical, and religious schools, highlighting Dharmottara as a founder of the philosophical school.
   • The Nyaya-bindu: Discusses the purpose and philosophical stance of Dharmakirti's Nyaya-bindu, exploring the debate among commentators regarding its leanings towards Sautrantika or Yogachara views, or a synthesis of both.
   • Commentaries on the Nyaya-bindu: Reviews various commentaries and sub-commentaries on the Nyaya-bindu, including those by Vinitadeva, Santabhadra, Dharmottara, and others. It specifically discusses the Dharmottara-tippana attributed to Mallavadi and other important sub-commentaries, providing historical context and dating.
   • The Dharmottara-pradipa: Introduces Durveka Misra's sub-commentary, noting its length, its detailed explanation of Dharmottara's work, and Durveka's critical approach and literary skill.

3. The Text of the Works:

   • Nyaya-bindu by Acharya Dharmakirti: The original text.
   • Nyayabindutika by Acharya Dharmottara: The commentary on Dharmakirti's work.
   • Dharmottara-pradipa by Pandita Durveka Misra: The sub-commentary being published for the first time.
   • The text is divided into three chapters:
     1. प्रत्यक्षपरिच्छेदः (Pratyaksha Parichchheda): Deals with the topic of perception.
     2. स्वार्थानुमानपरिच्छेदः (Svarthanumana Parichchheda): Deals with inference for oneself.
     3. परार्थानुमानपरिच्छेदः (Pararthanumana Parichchheda): Deals with inference for others.

4. Notes (टिप्पणानि): Provides scholarly notes, likely explaining terms, historical context, or referring to related discussions in other texts.

5. Indices: Includes seven indices, meticulously created for the Nyaya-bindu, Nyayabindutika, and Dharmottara-pradipa, covering philosophical terms, proper names, and quotations. This is a significant aid for researchers.

6. Errata (शुद्धिपत्रकम्): Lists any errors found and corrected in the published text.

Key Philosophical and Logical Concepts Covered:

The Dharmottara Pradip, as a commentary on Buddhist logic, elaborates on concepts like:

• Pramana: The means of valid knowledge.
• Pratyaksha (Perception): Definitions, characteristics, and potential issues (like illusions) related to perception.
• Anumana (Inference): The process of inferring knowledge from perceived data, including its structure (like the three characteristics of a valid middle term - hetu), and its application for oneself (svartha) and for others (parartha).
• Vipratipatti (Disagreement/Controversy): The text likely addresses various philosophical and logical viewpoints from different schools of Indian thought (Buddhist, Hindu, Jain) that were prevalent during the time of these authors.
• Vada (Debate/Discussion): The importance and methods of dialectical reasoning in propagating philosophical and religious doctrines.
• Jati and Nigrahasthana: Sophistic arguments and points of defeat in logical debate, which were central to ancient Indian logic.
• Svalakshana and Svalakshana: Concepts related to the unique, particular nature of reality in Buddhist epistemology, and its relationship with universals.
• Vijnaptimatrata (Representation-only) and Sautrantika: The text likely engages with the debate on the nature of reality, consciousness, and external objects as discussed in the Yogachara-Vijnanavada and Sautrantika schools of Buddhism.

Significance of the Work:

• First Publication: The Dharmottara Pradip is a significant Sanskrit work of Jain scholarship that is made available to the academic world for the first time through this edition.
• Source Material: It provides invaluable source material for scholars studying the history and development of Indian logic, particularly Buddhist logic, and its interactions with other Indian philosophical traditions.
• Editorial Contribution: The meticulous editing by Dalsukh Malvania, based on rare manuscripts and collated with other editions, makes this a foundational text for further research.
• Historical Context: The introduction and preface offer crucial historical context regarding the intellectual landscape of ancient and medieval India and the transmission of knowledge between different traditions.

In essence, "Dharmottar Pradip" is a vital scholarly contribution that illuminates a specific layer in the complex philosophical commentary tradition of Buddhist logic, showcasing the analytical rigor and interconnectedness of Indian philosophical thought.