Papers by Michael Zrenner
Review of The Great Treatise on the Stages of Mantra: Chapters XI—XII (The Creation Stage), by Tsongkhapa Losang Drakpa; annotated translation by Thomas Freeman Yarnall
Religions of South Asia, May 13, 2015
This article comprises a book review of Thomas F. Yarnall's annotated translation of Tsongkha... more This article comprises a book review of Thomas F. Yarnall's annotated translation of Tsongkhapa Losang Dragpa's treatise on the Stages of Mantra.
Religions of South Asia, Nov 27, 2014
This work comprises the MA Thesis written at the University of Heidelberg (2015). It (a) analyzes... more This work comprises the MA Thesis written at the University of Heidelberg (2015). It (a) analyzes the systematic mechanics of the concept of penance (prāyaścitta) (b) on the basis of an edition of the introductory passages of a late 12th century Dharmanibandha text, the Ratnakaraṇḍikā. Concordantly, the work is structured in the following way:
• The introduction (§II) assesses the scope, rationale and limitations of this study (§II.a) and presents the conceptual (§II.c) and historical context (§II.c) to the Ratnakaraṇḍikā.
• The edition of the Ratnakaraṇḍikā renders ff. 1v.1–7v.11 of the R in transliterated and amended format (§III) together with its concomitant translation (§IV).
• The commentary (§V) analyses innovative and ‘orthodox’ elements in the systematic presentation of the concept of penance as rendered in the R and scholarly literature.
Mi-ser (lit. "yellow person") is an indigenous Tibetan term applied to several socioeconomic stra... more Mi-ser (lit. "yellow person") is an indigenous Tibetan term applied to several socioeconomic strata of the non-aristocratic lay population 1 . ), Dargyay (1978: 45-7), Miller (1961 1963) and Goldstein (1971-) have raised a lively and informative debate over Tibet's socio-political system that investigated the degree of "serfdom" in Tibet and the particular place the mi-ser occupied therein. Whilst we wish to express our heartfelt respect for the outstanding contributions of Prof. Goldstein in the areas of Central Asian history, anthropology and linguistics, we do feel the need to investigate more closely the notion that pre-1959 Tibet had been characterized by "pervasive serfdom" 2 . In doing so, we shall work with the definition of "serfdom" as provided by Prof. Goldstein 3 .
Book Reviews by Michael Zrenner
Textual Criticism of the Bible, 2020
My review of P. Trovato's study of recent refinements to the Common Error Method of Textual Criti... more My review of P. Trovato's study of recent refinements to the Common Error Method of Textual Criticism. A well-conceived, insightful, and very helpful book that also investigates relevant aspects of the Best-Text Method and the Eclectic Approach to textual criticism. Thoroughly commendable.
Halkias' work truly is a rich and well-rounded pioneer-study of a comparatively neglected field t... more Halkias' work truly is a rich and well-rounded pioneer-study of a comparatively neglected field that introduces the pure-land traditions of India and Tibet with considerable analytical versatility and compelling intelligence. A decade of sustained research on Pure-Land traditions inside and outside Indo-Tibetan cultural areas enables Halkias to draw on considerable historical and doctrinal details which allows him to fully contextualize and deepen findings explored in a number of noteworthy articles (Analysis It seems to the reviewer that Luminous Bliss is soon going to be a standard resource for university courses in Buddhist, Religious and Tibetan Studies. Firstly, since the study is based on a rich diversity of scholarly lenses-including historical, text-based, archaeological, religio-philosophical, art-historical and anthropological approaches-the intermediate student of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism is readily equipped with a wealth of well-integrated and fittingly structured examples of scholarly synthesis that will support his or her entry to advanced levels of scholarship. A definite strong point of this study is Halkias' successful attempt at presenting pure-land innovations both in contrast to, and on the basis of, Mahāyāna orthodoxy and orthopraxy, shedding a multiplicity of sectarian, popular and scholarly misperceptions in the process (see 2013: 19-20.).
This edition comprises an annotated translation of the "Creation Stage practices" of "Unexcelled ... more This edition comprises an annotated translation of the "Creation Stage practices" of "Unexcelled Yoga Tantra" as expounded in chapters eleven and twelve in Tsongkhapa Losang Dragpa's (1357-1419 highly influential Vajrayāna Treatise on the Stages of Mantra, or sngags rim chen mo. It is the first of two volumes, with a forthcoming publication to feature an annotated translation of the "Completion Stage practices" as presented in chapters thirteen and fourteen of the original treatise. A parallel, related, publication is to complete the set with the critically edited Tibetan source text, replete with all traceable textual parallels and quotes from Tibetan (and Sanskrit) canonical sources. Little needs to be said about the scope and significance of the Great Treatise on the Stages of Mantra, or Sngags rim chen mo-the monumental treatise on all major aspects of Vajrayāna practice rivalled in scope and depth, perhaps, only by Jamgön Kongtrül Lodrö Thaye's (1833-1899 CE) intricate treatment of the subject. The treatise comprises "a highly original analysis and critique of [many a century of] competing interpretations of the nature of Tantra" (p. 3). This work was soon established as one of the main pillars of Gelug orthodoxy in all matters pertaining to Vajrayāna practice and formed the backbone of the curriculum at the tantric colleges. 
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Papers by Michael Zrenner
• The introduction (§II) assesses the scope, rationale and limitations of this study (§II.a) and presents the conceptual (§II.c) and historical context (§II.c) to the Ratnakaraṇḍikā.
• The edition of the Ratnakaraṇḍikā renders ff. 1v.1–7v.11 of the R in transliterated and amended format (§III) together with its concomitant translation (§IV).
• The commentary (§V) analyses innovative and ‘orthodox’ elements in the systematic presentation of the concept of penance as rendered in the R and scholarly literature.
Book Reviews by Michael Zrenner