Sekanirdeśa of Maitreyanatha with the Commentary of Ramapala
We will read an unpublished Buddhist tantric work, the commentary by Rāmapāla on the Sekanirdeśa ('Detailed teaching on Consecration') of Advayavajra (Maitripa). The work commented on is of great importance as a work touching on central theoretical problems of the Vajrayāna by one of the greatest Indian masters of the eleventh century. The commentary has particular claim to authority, being by a direct disciple of Advayavajra. The text will be presented in a draft edition. Participants will have the opportunity to examine the Sanskrit manuscripts on which the edition is based, and thus acquire some experience of palaeography and working with manuscripts. For students who have done at least five semesters of Sanskrit; those with fewer semesters may alsoparticipate after consultation with the instructor. Knowledge of classical Tibetan will be useful but is not a requisite.