Note Taking and Critical Analysis Method
November 25, 2008 · by Loden Jinpa · News
Over the next while as I read through various texts and books for my PhD, I am thinking about writing/blogging in a kind of paraphrase as both a means of deepening my understanding of the text, and also as a method of documenting/note taking for the PhD.
I’m not sure if this will slow me down to the point that it makes it impossible to continue, however, as it stands today, I think it is a good idea.
The plan is, for example, I have just finished reading the first 5 chapters of Candrakirti’s text of Madhyamaka called Supplement to the ‘Middle Way’ (Madhyamakavatara, dbu ma ma la ‘jug pa) hereafter “the supplement” and along with his auto-commentary. I now plan on reading Je Tsong khapa’s commentary to both the Supplement and the Auto-Commentary, and as I read through Tsong khapa’s text called Illumination of the Thought, An Extensive Explanation of Candrakirti’s ‘Supplement to the Middle way’ (dbu ma la ‘jug pa’i rgya cher bshad pa dgongs pa rab gsal), I will publish it here.
However, it will be philosophical in nature and so I add this to encourage you to continue the journey with me and as a possible method to engage the material.
“It will be difficult for you to make sense of some of the articles we’ll be reading. This is partly because they discuss abstract ideas that you’re not accustomed to thinking about. They may also use technical vocabulary which is new to you. Sometimes it won’t be obvious what the overall argument of the paper is supposed to be. The prose may be complicated, and you may need to pick the article apart sentence by sentence. Here are some tips to make the process easier and more effective” - http://www.jimpryor.net/teaching/guidelines/reading.html
This advice is well worth listening to however be clear that my essays here are not drafted nor carefully crafted. Please be patient with me and if you find an logic issues and/or typos please point them out.
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Comments
3 Responses to “Note Taking and Critical Analysis Method”
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Hi,
I wonder if you could answer a question for me. I recently started reading your blog. I am also in the middle of a phd. I often question my reasons for doing it, is it ego (do I want to be able to tell my bank manager I am a Dr?), Am I going to be able to use the knowledge I gain for the greater good? and many more questions. I gather that you are a monk
I appologise if you have already explain this in an earlier post, I hope I do not appear rude in asking but what are your reasons for doing a phd?
best wishes
dominic
Hi Dominic,
No your not being rude.
However, my motivation for my PhD is pretty simple really: This project is important because I believe there is a need to articulate how Je Tsong khapa’s Madhyamaka can produce the experience of an enlightened being for a western audience, and in a Western educational setting, that is, Western universities.
I outlined what, when, how and why here http://lodenjinpa.com/phd-project-details/
I hope that helps.
thanks
makes sense