Contemplation and identity in Evagrius Ponticus and Tsongkhapa

Thesis

This thesis is an exercise in comparative theology as developed by Francis Clooney. It brings selected texts of Patristic Christian monastic Evagrius Ponticus into critical comparative dialogue with the seminal “Stages of the Path” (Lamrim Chenmo) text of Tibetan Buddhist monastic Tsongkhapa. This comparative analysis is undertaken in the context of the more recent phenomena of Buddhist-Christian dual belonging claims in which Buddhists and/or Christians borrow from the “other” tradition in forming a spiritual identity asserted to be simultaneously Buddhist and Christian. In fact, theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar considered Evagrius’ theology to be closer to Buddhism than Christianity. In essence, the thesis analyses whether and to what extent the texts of Evagrius and Tsongkhapa provide support for Buddhist-Christian dual belonging claims. The Introduction provides an overview of how this research question emerged from both pastoral experience and dissatisfaction with the relevant literature. Chapter one surveys the literature concerning dual religious belonging which admits to an abundance of methodological, anthropological or sociological exploration but relatively little comparative theological exploration. Having surveyed several candidate methodologies, Chapter two defends the use of comparative theology as the most workably efficient methodology for analysing the research question. It also explains why incorporating Pierre Hadot’s “Ancient Texts as Spiritual Exercises” hermeneutic supports such analysis. Chapter three introduces Evagrius Ponticus, Tsongkhapa and their texts while chapters four and five explain their respective spiritual systems. Chapter six evaluates apparent similarities in developing meditative / prayer states while chapter seven evaluates apparent similarities in wisdom / epistemology. Despite a conclusion of incommensurability, chapter eight proposes a ground of dialogue based on comparatively reading these texts as “spiritual exercises”. The thesis concludes that although Buddhist-Christian dual belonging claims are likely judged incoherent, dialogue concerning shared attention-regulating practices and ascesis is not only possible, but to be encouraged.

Authors: Bruce, A

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-o5xkmypao
• Type of award: DPhil
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: Tsongkhapa; dual belonging; Evagrius Ponticus; Madhyamaka; early Christianity