Julian Schott's guest appearances

Julian Schott

Guru Viking Podcast

OwlTail

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Julian Schott, Indologist &amp; Tibetologist, trained at institutions such as the renowned Center for the Study of Manuscript Culture at the University of Hamburg. In the first section of the episode, Dr Schott discusses the idea that Buddhist Studies as an academic discipline is in decline, with meagre enrolment, falling standards, and the deemphasis on philology and mastery of the tradition’s scriptural languages. Dr Schott also reflects on the skills and attitudes that make a good scholar.For the rest of the episode Dr Schott discusses his re-edition of ‘Indrabhūtis Jñānasiddhi: An In-depth Study of it’s Indian Origins and Early Tradition within the Indo-Tibetan Mahāmudrā Teachings’, details the philological process of reconstructing this important text and explains the pathway from the inception of the idea to obtaining funding to eventual publication.Dr Schott also remarks on the early tantric tradition in India, compares its character to later tantric forms such as the Yogini Tantras in both India and Tibet, and shares some surprising insights from Indrabhūti’s text on attaining siddhi and enlightenment.…Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep214-tantric-philology-dr-julian-schott-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, &amp; Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.…Topics Include:00:00 - Intro01:29 - Dr Schott’s recent appointment at University of Vienna03:04 - Which universities have a high philological standard?04:10 - Bringing classical philology into today’s context06:23 - The declining quality of Buddhist Studies08:30 - Weakness in today’s mindfulness research09:46 - Causes of academic decline 13:41 - The flourishing of philology and Indology 17:32 - The economics of Sanskrit 101 20:48 - What function does today’s university perform?24:31 - Does it matter of Buddhist studies declines?27:32 - The qualities of a good scholar 33:09 - Setting a good example 36:24 - The work of a philologist37:22 - Choosing the Indrabhūti project and getting funding 43:25 - Why Indrabhūti and early Tantric Buddhism?45:01 - Characteristics of the early Tantric traditions48:02 - Early Tantra vs later Yogini Tantras51:38 - Surprising aspects of Indrabhūti’s Jñānasiddhi01:01:01 - How to attain siddhi through tantra 01:04:20 - The process of Sanskrit translation and producing a critical edition01:10:44- Profiling the mind of an ancient author01:12:30 - Human nature and the presentation of truth 01:16:17 - Challenges in reconstructing the Jñānasiddhi01:19:26 - Navigating the spiritual landscape, what can we rely upon?01:22:43 - What has Steve learned from over 200 podcast episodes?01:24:07 - Liberation of ignorance and knowing your place 01:28:10 - The final steps of a critical edition …Previous episode with Dr Julian Schott:- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep197-scholar-practitioner-dr-julian-schott To find our more about Dr Julian Schott, visit:- https://www.aai.uni-hamburg.de/indtib/personen/schott.htmlFor more interviews, videos, and more visit:- https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Julian Schott, Indologist &amp; Tibetologist, trained at institutions such as the renowned Center for the Study of Manuscript Culture at the University of Hamburg. In the first section of the episode, Dr Schott discusses the idea that Buddhist Studies as an academic discipline is in decline, with meagre enrolment, falling standards, and the deemphasis on philology and mastery of the tradition’s scriptural languages. Dr Schott also reflects on the skills and attitudes that make a good scholar. For the rest of the episode Dr Schott discusses his re-edition of ‘Indrabhūtis Jñānasiddhi: An In-depth Study of it’s Indian Origins and Early Tradition within the Indo-Tibetan Mahāmudrā Teachings’, details the philological process of reconstructing this important text and explains the pathway from the inception of the idea to obtaining funding to eventual publication. Dr Schott also remarks on the early tantric tradition in India, compares its character to later tantric forms such as the Yogini Tantras in both India and Tibet, and shares some surprising insights from Indrabhūti’s text on attaining siddhi and enlightenment. … Video version: <a href="https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep214-tantric-philology-dr-julian-schott-2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep214-tantric-philology-dr-julian-schott-2</a>  Also available on Youtube, iTunes, &amp; Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:29 - Dr Schott’s recent appointment at University of Vienna 03:04 - Which universities have a high philological standard? 04:10 - Bringing classical philology into today’s context 06:23 - The declining quality of Buddhist Studies 08:30 - Weakness in today’s mindfulness research 09:46 - Causes of academic decline 13:41 - The flourishing of philology and Indology 17:32 - The economics of Sanskrit 101 20:48 - What function does today’s university perform? 24:31 - Does it matter of Buddhist studies declines? 27:32 - The qualities of a good scholar 33:09 - Setting a good example 36:24 - The work of a philologist 37:22 - Choosing the Indrabhūti project and getting funding 43:25 - Why Indrabhūti and early Tantric Buddhism? 45:01 - Characteristics of the early Tantric traditions 48:02 - Early Tantra vs later Yogini Tantras 51:38 - Surprising aspects of Indrabhūti’s Jñānasiddhi 01:01:01 - How to attain siddhi through tantra 01:04:20 - The process of Sanskrit translation and producing a critical edition 01:10:44- Profiling the mind of an ancient author 01:12:30 - Human nature and the presentation of truth 01:16:17 - Challenges in reconstructing the Jñānasiddhi 01:19:26 - Navigating the spiritual landscape, what can we rely upon? 01:22:43 - What has Steve learned from over 200 podcast episodes? 01:24:07 - Liberation of ignorance and knowing your place 01:28:10 - The final steps of a critical edition … Previous episode with Dr Julian Schott: - <a href="https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep197-scholar-practitioner-dr-julian-schott" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep197-scholar-practitioner-dr-julian-schott</a> To find our more about Dr Julian Schott, visit: - <a href="https://www.aai.uni-hamburg.de/indtib/personen/schott.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.aai.uni-hamburg.de/indtib/personen/schott.html</a> For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - <a href="https://www.guruviking.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.guruviking.com</a> Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep214: Tantric Philology - Dr Julian Schott 2

In this episode I am joined by Dr Julian Schott, Indologist &amp; Tibetologist, trained at institutions such as the renowned Center for the Study of Manuscript Culture at the University of Hamburg. Julian recalls his early interest in philosophy and meditation, and recounts how he emerged from a period of self destruction and found meaning and purpose in academic studies. Julian describes how he fell in love with classical Indic and Tibetan languages, and details the rigorous academic atmosphere at the University of Hamburg, where he immersed in years of reading Sanskrit for many hours a day under masters of philology.Julian makes the case for the vital importance of primary language competency for scholars and religious practitioners alike, and offers his opinion on those who practice or teach religious traditions without an ability to read its writings in the original languages.    Julian critiques the idea of Buddhist transmission as a useful lie without historical support which is employed to encourage behaviour in line with the religion’s soteriological aims, and reflects on his own evolving journey as both a scholar and religious practitioner.   …Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep197-scholar-practitioner-dr-julian-schott Also available on Youtube, iTunes, &amp; Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.…Topics Include:00:00 - Intro01:13 - Julian’s upbringing 02:27 - Origins of Julian’s interest in Indology and Tibetology 03:11 - Investigating meditation traditions 04:13 - Spiritual not religious 05:08 - Early meditation experiences 06:44 - Julian’s favourite meditation techniques 07:18 - Self destructive phase and turning life around10:37 - The downward spiral 11:28 - Rock bottom12:44 - The day is full of potential 13:14 - Immersion in the study of history, classical Western philosophy, law, and 14:58 - Falling in love with Indian and Tibetan language17:04 - Redirecting from law to philology 17:47 - Discovering what real mastery takes 19:21 - Rigorous academic atmosphere at University of Hamburg  20:16 - Reading Sanskrit for 5-6 hours a day23:46 - Self-teaching Classical Tibetan via Sanskrit 24:44 - How to bridge the intermediate gap in language learning 27:43 - The vital role of primary language knowledge in understanding a religion and culture31:29 - The incredible level of previous generations of philologists and Indologists32:29 - The diminishing role of primary language learning in the academy 34:51 - The limitations of not knowing the primary languages 37:17 - To meditators and religious teachers who don’t know the languages42:05 - Julian’s own religious journey 43:39 - Scepticism vs naivety44:37 - Liberated by the proliferating unknowns in practice and scholarship46:54 - Friction with religious institutions  48:23 - Make your own Dharma 50:31 - Mistaken ideas about lineage and transmission in Buddhism 54:05 - The useful lie of Buddhist lineage 55:51 - Critically investigating Buddhist claims 57:42 - Challenging the esoteric claims of Tantric Buddhist transmission 01:00:56 - Surpassing the master and the Jedi dimension 01:05:53 - Julian probes Steve’s opinion on doctrinal contradictions 01:07:23 - Lack of self confidence and making your own Dharma 01:10:42 - Contradictions of modern Buddhist practitioners01:12:34 - Was Buddha a Buddhist? …To find our more about Dr Julian Schott, visit:- https://www.aai.uni-hamburg.de/indtib/personen/schott.htmlFor more interviews, videos, and more visit:- https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Dr Julian Schott, Indologist &amp; Tibetologist, trained at institutions such as the renowned Center for the Study of Manuscript Culture at the University of Hamburg. Julian recalls his early interest in philosophy and meditation, and recounts how he emerged from a period of self destruction and found meaning and purpose in academic studies. Julian describes how he fell in love with classical Indic and Tibetan languages, and details the rigorous academic atmosphere at the University of Hamburg, where he immersed in years of reading Sanskrit for many hours a day under masters of philology. Julian makes the case for the vital importance of primary language competency for scholars and religious practitioners alike, and offers his opinion on those who practice or teach religious traditions without an ability to read its writings in the original languages. Julian critiques the idea of Buddhist transmission as a useful lie without historical support which is employed to encourage behaviour in line with the religion’s soteriological aims, and reflects on his own evolving journey as both a scholar and religious practitioner. … Video version: <a href="https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep197-scholar-practitioner-dr-julian-schott" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep197-scholar-practitioner-dr-julian-schott</a>  Also available on Youtube, iTunes, &amp; Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:13 - Julian’s upbringing 02:27 - Origins of Julian’s interest in Indology and Tibetology 03:11 - Investigating meditation traditions 04:13 - Spiritual not religious 05:08 - Early meditation experiences 06:44 - Julian’s favourite meditation techniques 07:18 - Self destructive phase and turning life around 10:37 - The downward spiral 11:28 - Rock bottom 12:44 - The day is full of potential 13:14 - Immersion in the study of history, classical Western philosophy, law, and 14:58 - Falling in love with Indian and Tibetan language 17:04 - Redirecting from law to philology 17:47 - Discovering what real mastery takes 19:21 - Rigorous academic atmosphere at University of Hamburg 20:16 - Reading Sanskrit for 5-6 hours a day 23:46 - Self-teaching Classical Tibetan via Sanskrit 24:44 - How to bridge the intermediate gap in language learning 27:43 - The vital role of primary language knowledge in understanding a religion and culture 31:29 - The incredible level of previous generations of philologists and Indologists 32:29 - The diminishing role of primary language learning in the academy 34:51 - The limitations of not knowing the primary languages 37:17 - To meditators and religious teachers who don’t know the languages 42:05 - Julian’s own religious journey 43:39 - Scepticism vs naivety 44:37 - Liberated by the proliferating unknowns in practice and scholarship 46:54 - Friction with religious institutions 48:23 - Make your own Dharma 50:31 - Mistaken ideas about lineage and transmission in Buddhism 54:05 - The useful lie of Buddhist lineage 55:51 - Critically investigating Buddhist claims 57:42 - Challenging the esoteric claims of Tantric Buddhist transmission 01:00:56 - Surpassing the master and the Jedi dimension 01:05:53 - Julian probes Steve’s opinion on doctrinal contradictions 01:07:23 - Lack of self confidence and making your own Dharma 01:10:42 - Contradictions of modern Buddhist practitioners 01:12:34 - Was Buddha a Buddhist? … To find our more about Dr Julian Schott, visit: - <a href="https://www.aai.uni-hamburg.de/indtib/personen/schott.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.aai.uni-hamburg.de/indtib/personen/schott.html</a> For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - <a href="https://www.guruviking.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.guruviking.com</a> Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James