A COMPARATIVE EXAMINATION OF THE CONTEMPORANEOUS

NEOPLATONIC AND INDIAN-BUDDHIST-WISDOM TRADITIONS

A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctorate in Philosophy of Macquarie University

DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY: SCHOOL OF HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY
AND POLITICS

DATE

BY NOEL TOINTON, B.A. (Otago N.Z.), B.A.Hons. (Victoria - 										Wellington, N.Z.).

Table Of Contents

.Page - Chapter 	    -  	   Title                     .

i   	Title Page

ii	Table of Contents

iii	Preface

iv  	Declaration

v	Synopsis of Thesis

1	I    - Introduction
			
	II  	The Disvaluation of the Empirical World

	III	Textual Comparison 

	IV	An Examination on how the Absolute is Indicated

	V	Analysis Versus Insight

	VI	The Transcendental Dimension of the Absolute

	VII	Oversight: Metaphors of Height and Depth

	VIII	Overview: The Practical Dimension

	Postscript - In Retrospection	

	Footnotes

	Index

	Bibliography

Preface

	In the writing of this thesis I would like to thank the following people for their helpfulness and encouragement. First I must thank Assoc. Prof. Raoul Mortley for his patience, his succinct criticisms and his general ability to inspire my research and pass on at the same time a love for the broad field of scholarship he represents so well. Next I must thank Dr. Lucianna O'Dyer for the help she has shown me in the fields of Phenomenology and Continental Philosophy. My thanks are also extended to Dr. Anthony. Bradley from Sydney University, his advice, especially in relation to reading material, has been most gratefully received.
	In no way are the people just mentioned, or others quoted or noted, responsible for any errors or defects in this thesis, that alone I take responsibility for. I have entered and attempted to clarify a controversial field, with as much originality as it is possible to define an area of research, knowing that this endeavour might not be successful, would remain controversial and perhaps continue to remain effectively unresolved.
							Noël Tointon, 6/6/89,
							(Macquarie University).

						I hereby certify that this 
						work has not been submitted
						in total or partial	fulfill-								ment of the requirements of 								any other university or 									educational institution.
						
						..............................

						(Name)       Noël Tointon.

Synopsis of Thesis

	The following thesis investigates the nature and use of the via negativa and metaphors of illusion, magic, theatre and deprecation in the articulation of an absolute philosophy as found present in the Graeco-Roman Neoplatonic Tradition (as represented by the Enneads of Plotinus) and the Indian Buddhist Wisdom Tradition (as represented by the text The Perfection of Wisdom in 8,000 Verses). These two traditions are treated as essentially contemporaneous. A comparative structural and functional isomorphism was noted along with a parallelization of overall intentions in keeping with the essential nature of an absolute philosophy of the type as entailed by these two traditions. Finally the controversial question of an East-West influence was re-considered and philosophically treated as a preparation for an historical investigation.
	This thesis is divided between eight chapters as follows....

	Chapter I is essentially an introduction to this thesis noting the controversy on the subject of an oriental influence upon the work of Plotinus. Key terms are introduced, e.g. the concept of a structural and functional isomorphism between religious-philosophical ideologies and practices, the general concept of an absolute philosophy and its relationship to a via negativa.
	Chapter II investigates one aspect of possible isomorphism, namely, the disvaluation of the empirical world through the use of metaphors of illusion, magic, theatre and deprecation.
	Chapter III concerns itself with a brief textual comparison to show that, ostensively, a wide spread isomorphic symmetry appears between these two systems of religious philosophy.
	Chapter IV examines how the sense or meaningfulness of the idea of the absolute is indicated textually. It was argued that a philosophical evolution was undergone through the critical treatment imposed upon previous theories of universal elements, namely, forms and dharmas in these two traditions respectively.
	Chapter V examines the negative and positive dimensions of the via negativa noting the analytical nature of the negative aspect and the experiential dimension of the positive aspect. It was argued that for both traditions analysis prepared the ground for the development of insight.
	Chapter VI explores the transcendental dimension of the concept of the absolute and notes the phenomenological implications this for both traditions.
	Chapter VII investigates some notable differences between these two traditions  especially in regard to their  difference in emphasis in their use of metaphors of height and depth.
	Chapter VIII continues this comparative examination but now with an emphasis on a practical dimension. Finally some conclusions are proposed in regards to the question of a direct or indirect interaction between these two traditions.