Monthly Archives: September 2015

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Junior Professorship in Tibetology at the University of Leipzig

(In the following I am summarising the German Call for applications, which will be reproduced below. Succesful applicants are expected to learn German in their first 2 years.)

An excellent scholar will be selected for a position to be filled departing from the 1.10.2016, for three years (further three years are possible). It is possible that the person will be selected for a TT (W2 Professur).

AOS: Tibetan Buddhism (Philosophy, Religion, Literature, History of Art). The knowledge of the language used in the primary sources is a requirement. A connection with Mongolistic and the capability to take into account the social aspect of the topics involved and to work indisciplarly are a desideratum.

Deadline for applications: 16 October 2015.
Applications should be sent to:
Universität Leipzig, Dekan der Fakultät für Geschichte, Kunst- und Orientwissenschaften, Herrn Prof. Dr. Manfred Rudersdorf, Schillerstr. 6, 04109 Leipzig Email: dekgko@uni-leipzig.de

To be sent are: a list of academic publications and of classes taught (together with the evaluation received), certified copy of the highest academic degree and of the qualification.

Best luck to all!

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Basic bibliography for Bhaṭṭa Jayanta

Suppose you want to undertake the study of Indian Philosophy and you want to read primary sources? Where should you start? I argued (in my contribution to Open Pages in South Asian Studies) that Bhaṭṭa Jayanta is a great starting point,

  1. Because he is a philosopher
  2. Because he deals with texts of other schools and thus aims at being understandable
  3. Because he is a talented writer
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Post Docs at the University of California

The UC Davis Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program offers postdoctoral research fellowships and faculty mentoring to outstanding scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service will contribute to the diversity and equal opportunity at the University of California. These contributions may include public service addressing the needs of our increasingly diverse society, efforts to advance equitable access to higher education, or research focusing on underserved populations or understanding inequalities related to race, gender, disability or LGBT.

Man vergilt einem Lehrer schlecht, wenn man immer nur der Schüler bleibt. Und warum wollt ihr nicht an meinem Kranze rupfen?

Ihr verehrt mich; aber wie, wenn eure Verehrung eines Tages umfällt? Hütet euch, dass euch nicht eine Bildsäule erschlage!

Ihr sagt, ihr glaubt an Zarathustra? Aber was liegt an Zarathustra! Ihr seid meine Gläubigen: aber was liegt an allen Gläubigen!

Ihr hattet euch noch nicht gesucht: da fandet ihr mich. So thun alle Gläubigen; darum ist es so wenig mit allem Glauben.

Nun heisse ich euch, mich verlieren und euch finden; und erst, wenn ihr mich Alle verleugnet habt, will ich euch wiederkehren.

Wahrlich, mit andern Augen, meine Brüder, werde ich mir dann meine Verlorenen suchen; mit einer anderen Liebe werde ich euch dann lieben.

Perhaps, in other words: If you meet the Buddha, kill him. (逢佛殺佛)

(Friedrich Nietzsche, Also Sprach Zarathustra)
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Studying Chinese, Indian, Africana… philosophy as part of the regular curriculum

Eric Schwitzgebel wrote an important article on the L.A. Times stating that we should stop refraining from studying Chinese Philosophy. He has a powerful way to show how there is circularity behind the arguments against it:

Because the dominant academic culture in the U.S. traces back to Europe, the ancient Chinese philosophers were not taught to, and thus not read by, the succeeding generations. Ignorance thus apparently justifies ignorance: Because we don’t know their work, they have little impact on our philosophy. Because they have little impact on our philosophy, we believe we are justified in remaining ignorant about their work.

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Position at the University of Wisconsin – Madison

The University of Wisconsin-Madison, as part of its initiative to re-envision the study of the languages, cultures, and societies of Asia, is seeking to hire a TransAsia / transdisciplinary scholar with expertise in at least one South or Southeast Asian language,
beginning August, 2016. Rank and area of specialization are open. The tenure home will reside in the newly- forming Department of Asian Studies.

Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate the ability to cross disciplinary and cultural borders in their research and teaching, and who have the vision and skills to build new academic programs. A tenured appointment requires a proven record of excellence in research and teaching at all levels. We are particularly interested in applicants whose work addresses pressing issues of the day, in
areas including but not limited to: digital humanities; literary, media, or cultural studies; qualitative and fieldwork-based social sciences on themes such as poverty, health, migration, human rights, and the environment; or religious studies.

Salary is competitive. Qualified applicants should send a complete dossier (including letter of application, CV, sample publication or thesis chapter) and three letters of reference to:

Chair, Search Committee
Department of East Asian Languages and Literature
1208 Van Hise Hall
1220 Linden Drive
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI 53706

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by October 15, 2015

Finalists cannot be guaranteed confidentially. A criminal background check will be required prior to employment. UW-Madison is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and encourages women and minorities to apply.

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New manuscripts of Veṅkaṭanātha’s Seśvaramīmāṃsā

In the last two months, I have been busy deciphering two manuscripts of the Seśvaramīmāṃsā by Veṅkaṭanātha. One of them is in Telegu and the other in Grantha. The first one is a clearly recent one, written on paper in a sort of notebook and dated to 1893 CE. The other one has no colophon at all. Both end abruptly.

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Librarian at the Bodleian Library

(I know, it is not Wednesday, but due to the close dead line I thought of posting this ad immediately.)

John Clay Sanskrit Librarian

Bodleian Libraries, Weston Library, Broad Street, Oxford

Grade 7: £30,434 – £37,394 p.a.

We are offering the rare opportunity for someone passionate about Sanskrit literature to work with the Bodleian Libraries’ world-renowned manuscript and printed book collections based in the Weston Library as a Librarian.

You will be enthusiastic about working with scholars to help communicate your knowledge of Sanskrit’s rich literary heritage to a broad audience in accessible and engaging ways. You will also be committed to building the Bodleian’s historic collections for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations. Working under the Head of Oriental Collections you will curate collections, stimulate research in and promote appreciation of Sanskrit literature.

You will have a degree in Sanskrit studies or similar and a professional qualification in librarianship or information science and/or academic library experience in the Sanskrit subject field. You will also have experience of working with Sanskrit manuscripts at a professional level, and of the promotion of library collections through organising outreach sessions, exhibitions or seminars.

This is a full-time, fixed-term post for 1 year.

Due to the nature of this post, candidates will be required to undertake a Disclosure Scotland check as well as a financial background check. The possession of a criminal record or poor financial background will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided.

You will be required to upload a supporting statement as part of your online application. Your supporting statement should list each of the essential and desirable selection criteria, as listed in the further particulars, and explain how you meet each one. CVs will not form part of the selection process.

For further details about the role, including the job description, and to apply please click here or copy and paste the below link into your web browser:

https://www.recruit.ox.ac.uk/pls/hrisliverecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.jobspec?p_id=119208

Only applications received online before 12.00 midday on Friday 18 September 2015 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 30 September 2015.