This is a significant contribution to the study of Shantarakshita, the foremost thinker of Tibetan Buddhism. A Short Introduction to the Philosophy of Shantarakshita succeeds in demonstrating that Shantarakshita "is truly a philosopher for all seasons." Shantarakshita's conception of what his philosophy consisted in is what makes his philosophy relevant to all times: To believe what is in accordance with reason, and to reject what is not in accordance with reason.The book is an excellent introduction not only to Tibetan Buddhism, but also a philosophically stimulating text on many of the fundamental topics from ethics, aesthetics, and epistemology (as viewed by Madhyamikas). In a non-technical vocabulary Friquegnon explains philosophical ideas clearly. The conversational style of the book will be engaging to students and general readers who are new to the topic. Also of interest to students and scholars of comparative philosophy this book presents unifying themes from the introduction to the conclusion. One major theme of the book is the parallel between Shantarakshita and Kant. The chapter on Shankara and the problem of nihilism is particular of interest to the study of Hinduism and Buddhism. There are insightful analogies between Shantarakshita and philosophers ranging from Kant to Wittgenstein. Discussion of Shantarakshita's conception of language in relation to Wittgenstein is particularly noteworthy.The concluding chapter provides a succinct summary of the central theses of Buddhism, the elimination of suffering through letting go of attachment and craving." - Hyun HochsmannChair, Department of Philosophy, New Jersey City University
About the Author: About the Author: Marie Friquegnon is Professor of Philosophy and of Asian Studies at William Paterson University. She earned her PhD in Philosophy at New York University. She is the author of On Shantarakshita, and Reflections on Childhood. She edited and co-translated with Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khentrul Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche Santaraksita's Tattvasiddhi and Madhyamakalankara with Rinpoches' commentaries (forthcoming Columbia University). She edited with Noe Dinnerstein Studies in the Yogacara Madhyamaka of Santaraksita, and with Raziel Abelson, Clarity and Vision and Ethics for Modern Life. She is currently at work on a translation/commentary of Santaraksita's Madhyamakalankara Vritti., a collection of essays, Buddhism and Philosophy and an intellectual memoir Finding Santaraksita. She is editing with Benjamin Abelson, a collection of Raziel Abelson's essays, Window to Truth. and a collection of readings Great Disputes in Philosophy. She is a student of Khentrul Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche.