In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Julian Schott, Indologist & Tibetologist, trained at institutions such as the renowned Center for the Study of Manuscript Culture at the University of Hamburg.

In the first section of the episode, Dr Schott discusses the idea that Buddhist Studies as an academic discipline is in decline, with meagre enrolment, falling standards, and the deemphasis on philology and mastery of the tradition’s scriptural languages. Dr Schott also reflects on the skills and attitudes that make a good scholar.

For the rest of the episode Dr Schott discusses his re-edition of ‘Indrabhūtis Jñānasiddhi: An In-depth Study of it’s Indian Origins and Early Tradition within the Indo-Tibetan Mahāmudrā Teachings’, details the philological process of reconstructing this important text and explains the pathway from the inception of the idea to obtaining funding to eventual publication.

Dr Schott also remarks on the early tantric tradition in India, compares its character to later tantric forms such as the Yogini Tantras in both India and Tibet, and shares some surprising insights from Indrabhūti’s text on attaining siddhi and enlightenment.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep214-tantric-philology-dr-julian-schott-2

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro

01:29 - Dr Schott’s recent appointment at University of Vienna

03:04 - Which universities have a high philological standard?

04:10 - Bringing classical philology into today’s context

06:23 - The declining quality of Buddhist Studies

08:30 - Weakness in today’s mindfulness research

09:46 - Causes of academic decline

13:41 - The flourishing of philology and Indology

17:32 - The economics of Sanskrit 101

20:48 - What function does today’s university perform?

24:31 - Does it matter of Buddhist studies declines?

27:32 - The qualities of a good scholar

33:09 - Setting a good example

36:24 - The work of a philologist

37:22 - Choosing the Indrabhūti project and getting funding

43:25 - Why Indrabhūti and early Tantric Buddhism?

45:01 - Characteristics of the early Tantric traditions

48:02 - Early Tantra vs later Yogini Tantras

51:38 - Surprising aspects of Indrabhūti’s Jñānasiddhi

01:01:01 - How to attain siddhi through tantra

01:04:20 - The process of Sanskrit translation and producing a critical edition

01:10:44- Profiling the mind of an ancient author

01:12:30 - Human nature and the presentation of truth

01:16:17 - Challenges in reconstructing the Jñānasiddhi

01:19:26 - Navigating the spiritual landscape, what can we rely upon?

01:22:43 - What has Steve learned from over 200 podcast episodes?

01:24:07 - Liberation of ignorance and knowing your place

01:28:10 - The final steps of a critical edition

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Previous episode with Dr Julian Schott:

- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep197-scholar-practitioner-dr-julian-schott

To find our more about Dr Julian Schott, visit:

- https://www.aai.uni-hamburg.de/indtib/personen/schott.html

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James