The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius as a No-Man's Land between Buddhism and Christianlty

By Борис Гречин

This thesis represents a study of The Consolation of Philosophy by Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (c. 480 – 524 AD) and is an attempt to read this text through the prism of the Buddhist doctrine. It contains an Introduction, five Chapters, and a Conclusion.

Taking the divisions in order: Chapter One explores the reasons for which the focus of both public and scholarly attention is gradually being shifted from the Consolation towards more contemporary texts. Boethius’ universalism, his wish to regard philosophy as a spiritual path rather than purely intellectual training, today’s consumerist approach to spiritual texts, and self-confident sectarianism of Boethius’ later fellow-believers, as opposed to his own broad worldview, are named as some of the possible explanations for this.

Chapter Two is concerned with the status of Lady Philosophy, being the central image of the Consolation. The range of scholarly opinions on who she might be varies greatly. We present our own interpretation of this figure, equating it to that of Prajna Paramita who is a Buddhist deity of wisdom; this vision is then supported with arguments.

Chapter Three gives a closer look at the parallels between ‘Boethian’ teaching, as it is presented in his final work, and the Buddhist doctrine. Boethius ontological views, his epistemology, and his soteriological notions are given full attention.

Chapter Four, being a logical extension of Chapter Three, focuses more specifically on Boethius’ concept of Divinity. It is stated that Boethius’ vision of God as Path, his statement that God does not intervene with human affairs, as well as his unique theodicy, while being rather unorthodox for later Christianity, are not dissimilar with the Buddhist understanding of the Ultimate Reality.

In Chapter Five, the issues of Boethius’ personal faith are handled. While being decidedly a Christian, the author of the Consolation avoids specifically Christian language. Some reasons underlying it are discussed; it is also suggested to read the Consolation as a polyphonic text (in the definition of Mikhail Bakhtin) whose characters become as philosophically weighty as its own author, while holding dissimilar opinions. It is argued that Boethius, a Christian as he was, saw Christianity as only a part of the universal truth, that he wanted to avoid a sectarian attitude, and he also clearly wished to create a text aimed at anyone seeking answers to any of the major philosophical problems.

The Conclusion, while attempting to see the Consolation as a meeting ground between the followers of Christianity and Buddhism, also concentrates on two specifically Boethian ideas which may be regarded as ‘bridge piers,’ or philosophical foundations, for the interreligious dialogue to be initiated.

The Bibliography includes sixty-six sources in English, German, and Latin.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Борис Гречин
• Release date: Oct 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005932626

Борис Гречин

Борис Сергеевич Гречин, 1981 г. р. Канд. пед. наук. Работал в Карабихской сельской школе Ярославского муниципального района, Ярославском педагогическом колледже, старшим преподавателем в Ярославском госпедуниверситете, заведующим муниципальным детским садом No 30 Ярославля. В настоящее время переводчик. Председатель и служитель МРО "Буддийская община "Сангъе Чхо Линг"" г. Ярославля (ОГРН 1147600000283). Публикации: литературно-художественный журнал "Мера", изд-во Altaspera Publishing.Написать автору можно по адресу [e-mail]

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The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius as a No-Man’s Land Between Buddhism and Christianity

by

Boris Grechin

***

Je Tsongkapay Ling Buddhist College, 2022

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the title of Buddhist scholar (phar-phyin-rab-‘byams)

Edited by A. Gruen

Approved

[Chairperson of the Examination Committee]

Je Tsongkapay Ling Buddhist College, 2022

© Boris Grechin, 2022

ISBN 978-1-005932-626

***

In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the title of phar-phyin-rab-‘byams at Je Tsongkapay Ling Buddhist College, I agree that the College shall make it freely available for reference and study. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the Director of the College or by his representatives. It is understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission.

Date: October 6, 2022

***

ABSTRACT

This thesis represents a study of The Consolation of Philosophy by Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (c. 480 – 524 AD) and is an attempt to read this text through the prism of the Buddhist doctrine. It contains an Introduction, five Chapters, and a Conclusion.

Taking the divisions in order: Chapter One explores the reasons for which the focus of both public and scholarly attention is gradually being shifted from the Consolation towards more contemporary texts. Boethius’ universalism, his wish to regard philosophy as a spiritual path rather than purely intellectual training, today’s consumerist approach to spiritual texts, and self-confident sectarianism of Boethius’ later fellow-believers, as opposed to his own broad worldview, are named as some of the possible explanations for this.

Chapter Two is concerned with the status of Lady Philosophy, being the central image of the Consolation. The range of scholarly opinions on who she might be varies greatly. We present our own interpretation of this figure, equating it to that of Prajna Paramita who is a Buddhist deity of wisdom; this vision is then supported with arguments.

Chapter Three gives a closer look at the parallels between ‘Boethian’ teaching, as it is presented in his final work, and the Buddhist doctrine. Boethius’ ontological views, his epistemology, and his soteriological notions are given full attention.

Chapter Four, being a logical extension of Chapter Three, focuses more specifically on Boethius’ concept of Divinity. It is stated that Boethius’ vision of God as Path, his statement that God does not intervene with human affairs, as well as his unique theodicy, while being rather unorthodox for later Christianity, are not dissimilar with the Buddhist understanding of the Ultimate Reality.

In Chapter Five, the issues of Boethius’ personal faith are handled. While being decidedly a Christian, the author of the Consolation avoids specifically Christian language. Some reasons underlying it are discussed; it is also suggested to read the Consolation as a polyphonic text (in the definition of Mikhail Bakhtin) whose characters become as philosophically weighty as its own author, while holding dissimilar opinions. It is argued that Boethius, a Christian as he was, saw Christianity as only a part of the universal truth, that he wanted to avoid a sectarian attitude, and he also clearly wished to create a text aimed at anyone seeking answers to any of the major philosophical problems.

The Conclusion, while attempting to see the Consolation as a meeting ground between the followers of Christianity and Buddhism, also concentrates on two specifically Boethian ideas which may be regarded as ‘bridge piers,’ or philosophical foundations, for the interreligious dialogue to be initiated.

The Bibliography includes sixty-six sources in English, German, and Latin.

***

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract

Introduction

1. Falling Into Oblivion

2. The Mysterious Visitor

3. Running Parallel Courses

4. The Vision of God

5. Boethian Faith

Conclusion

Bibliography

***

INTRODUCTION

Overview of the Topic

Some philosophical works enjoy a truly long life and an extremely fruitful commentatorial legacy, Ancius Manlius Severinus Boethius’1 De Consolatione Philosophiae2 being one of them. Written in 523 or 524 AD, it has never stopped to attract the attention of thinkers, scholars, and religious leaders who would comment on its obscure places, speculate on its ideas, or feel inspired by its spirit.3

Does this situation still hold true? Even though new scholarly articles on the philosophical work in question appear each year, do not we feel that the focus of public attention is shifted towards more contemporary texts? ‘We shall move on from the Bible,’ to remember an impatient response of a student, produced by the author’s invitation to talk about the introductory verses of Alfred Tennyson’s In Memoriam A. H. H. Having ‘moved on from the Bible’ to, say, the Handbook of Gender Studies, we are clearly ‘moving on’ from the Consolation as well. Who but a very limited number of medievalists would now remember a fifth-century Roman Christian philosopher when the Bible itself is ‘being revisited’—has been as good as rejected in today’s public opinion?

Have we arrived at the point at which it is reasonable, commendable even, to erect a tombstone for Boethius’ intellectual efforts; to say to his Consolation, ‘Let us now part our ways, ours is to live, yours is to die, thank you for the company?’ ‘Books, like their authors, are mortal,’4 to remember a sad phrase by C. S. Lewis, even though he himself was an ardent admirer of this particular book.

The author of this thesis does not have a ready-made answer to the questions above, even if he is extremely reluctant to pronounce this final ‘good-bye.’ His reluctance to part company with Boethius can be easily attributed to his own feelings and preferences which leave little, if any, room for an unbiased research. Be it as it may, our intention is to adhere to the strictest standards of unbiasedness. The Consolation’s gradual falling into oblivion, its failure to spark an interest of contemporary intellectuals will therefore be one of the points we will focus on in the very first chapter of our work.

Main Objective

The main focus of this thesis, though, will be Boethius’ ideas, as they can be seen and interpreted through the lens of Buddhist philosophical doctrine(s), such an interpretation being the main objective of our research. Why would anyone want to do such a thing, that is, to look at the Consolation at this particular angle? Is it a purely intellectual exercise, allowing the author to show off with his ingenuity? Does not it look too much like a wish to read a novel by Charles Dickens in the light of Confucianism, or any such similar effort?

The answer is ‘no.’ In the following chapters, we will argue the vision of the Consolation as a doctrinal bridge between Christianity and Buddhism, or, taken more generally, between the Western and the Eastern worldview. Such bridges shall necessarily be built, and it is perhaps not our fault that we people of today prove ourselves unable to build the new ones. For that matter, we might as well to have a thorough look at one of the old conceptual constructions, in order to see if it still can do some good service. In other words, it is Boethius’ final work that can show to both Christians and Buddhists new ways of mutual understanding. Even though the title of our work, slightly provocative as it is, suggests that the philosophical text in question may be seen as a ‘no man’s land’ between the followers of two major religions, we do not want it to remain the ground between two fighting parties, ‘the darkling plain <...> [w]here ignorant armies clash by night,’ to remember concluding lines of Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold.

Research Problems, Structural Overview, and Thesis Statement

Chapters Two through Five of our thesis will seek to provide answers to the following questions.

— Who or what is Philosophia? How shall we interpret the central female figure of the text? (Chapter Two)

— Are the philosophical ideas articulated in the Consolation consistent with the Buddhist doctrine? Do they coincide with orthodox Buddhist views on the