Erich Frauwallner - Book Summary

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This document is an in-depth biographical tribute to Erich Frauwallner (December 28, 1898 - July 5, 1974), a prominent Austrian Indologist and scholar of Indian philosophy. Written by Gerhard Oberhammer, it details Frauwallner's life, academic career, scholarly methods, and significant contributions to the study of Indian thought.

Early Life and Education:

Frauwallner was born in Vienna and spent his childhood summers in the countryside, fostering a deep connection with nature that would influence his later life.
His intellectual development was significantly shaped by family friends, particularly a Germanist who introduced him to Middle High German and Sanskrit.
He began his university studies in Vienna after serving in World War I, focusing on classical philology, Indology, and Iranistics.
He earned his doctorate in philosophy with a dissertation on the tragic use of synonyms signifying emotions in Latin.
He then completed his teaching qualification in Latin and Greek, working as a professor at a Gymnasium to support himself during a challenging economic period.

Scholarly Development and Methodology:

Frauwallner's habilitation (postdoctoral qualification) marked his transition into a dedicated scholar. He developed a rigorous philological method, applying it to the analysis and interpretation of Indian philosophical texts.
He emphasized the search for authentic, original text versions and integrated this with historical research, drawing inspiration from the concept of "inner form" developed by K. Reinhardt.
Frauwallner believed that the "inner form" of a work was an objective structure, not subjective interpretation, and that understanding this structure was crucial for grasping individual ideas within their historical development.
He had a strong aversion to translations and a deep commitment to reading original texts, which led him to master several languages, including Tibetan and Chinese, essential for accessing lost Sanskrit works and understanding entire schools of Indian thought. He even learned Japanese later in life to read the work of Japanese colleagues.

Major Scholarly Contributions:

Frauwallner's work took place during a period when the study of Indian philosophy was relatively limited, often relying on secondary sources or a narrow selection of authors. He systematically engaged with a vast amount of material, pushing the boundaries of existing scholarship.
Early Work: His initial research focused on the Mokşadharma and older Upanishads, aiming to philologically grasp the various forms of early Brahmanical philosophy. These formed the basis of his habilitation in 1928.
Buddhist Logic: He then dedicated significant attention to the logical school of Buddhism, recognizing its crucial role in the development of Indian thought during the first millennium CE. He meticulously translated and interpreted key treatises, often relying on Tibetan translations (e.g., works by Dignāga and Dharmakirti). His translation and interpretation of Dharmakirti's Apoha representation remain significant even after the discovery of the original Sanskrit text.
Brahmanical and Hindu Systems: Despite his focus on Buddhism, he did not neglect Brahmanical and Hindu systems, as evidenced by his foundational essay on "Bhāvanā and Vidhi" in Mandanamiśra and his lecture on the "Aryan contribution to Indian philosophy."
History of Indian Philosophy: A central aim of his academic life was to write a comprehensive history of Indian philosophy. While a grand, exhaustive handbook was envisioned and then curtailed by circumstances, he managed to produce a foundational multi-volume work.
- Volume I (1953): Covered the philosophy of the Veda, epic literature, the Buddha, the Jina, and the Samkhya and classical Yoga systems. This work was groundbreaking for its reliance on primary sources and its accurate depiction of the historical development of Indian thought, moving beyond mere doxography.
- Volume II (1956): Focused on nature-philosophical schools, the Vaiseșika system, Jainism, and materialism.
Specific Studies:
- He made significant contributions to the dating and understanding of figures like Vasubandhu, distinguishing between two individuals of that name in a seminal study.
- His work on the Vaiseșika system provided a historical reconstruction, tracing its development from a simple natural philosophy to the introduction of categories.
- He explored the Mimāṁsā system, particularly its epistemological doctrines and relation to Buddhism, and delved into language philosophy and Navya-nyāya.
- His studies on Dignāga's work and development were highly influential.
- He undertook extensive work on the Abhidharma texts of various Buddhist schools, particularly the Sarvāstivādins, making significant progress in understanding the history of Buddhist philosophical thought, even though the planned final volume was never completed.

Personal Life and Challenges:

Frauwallner married Hertha Püringer, a former student, in 1935.
His academic career was interrupted by World War II, and he faced political persecution due to his earlier appointment during the Nazi era in Austria, leading to early retirement.
He worked as a private scholar under difficult circumstances.
The death of his son Ortwin, a promising philologist who shared his father's interests, was a profound and lasting grief.
Despite personal hardships and health issues, he maintained an unwavering dedication to his research.

Later Career and Legacy:

After the war, Frauwallner returned to academia, becoming a professor at the University of Vienna and leading the newly founded Indological Institute.
He fostered a new generation of scholars, imparting his rigorous scientific ethos and methodological approach.
He received numerous honors, including honorary membership in the German Oriental Society and corresponding membership in the Academy of Sciences in Göttingen.
Frauwallner's life's work was characterized by its scholarly honesty, meticulous attention to detail, and a commitment to understanding Indian philosophy through its original texts.
The document concludes by reflecting on his profound impact on the field of Indian philosophy, highlighting his groundbreaking work in establishing a historical approach to the subject. His extensive bibliography lists his numerous books and articles, demonstrating the breadth and depth of his scholarship.