PhD in Religious Studies from UMESP (University of São Paulo). Visiting Scholar at the University of St. Andrews (2023/2024-1). Member of the Centre for the Study of Religion and Politics, University of St. Andrews. Professor at the Pramāṇa Institute and Legal Director of the Buddha-Dharma Association. Co-founder of Sakyadhita São Paulo. Editor-in-Chief of the Practical Theology Hub (British and Irish Association of Practical Theology).

A Tree Without Roots: An Analysis of the Meditation Object Transmitted by the Seven Women to the Deva Indra in the Sūtra of the Seven Women (佛說七女經)

The present communication aims to present the translation of an excerpt from the Sūtra of the Seven Women (佛說七女經 [T0556]), translated into Chinese in the 3rd century AD by the Buddhist layman Zhī Qiān (支謙), with the aim of analyzing the object of meditation (公案) transmitted by them to the deva (諸天) Indra (釋提桓因). The meditation object in question highlights the dialogue between the concepts of śūnyatā (空性), tathāgatagarbha (如来藏) and pratītyasamutpāda (緣起法), using the arguments of Kamalaśīla (740-795) in his Madhyamakāloka, as well as the Sermon on the Great Foundation (大本經; Skt. Mahāvadānasūtra) [translated and commented by Plínio Tsai]. Furthermore, the presentation seeks to bring these Buddhist elements closer to the notion of interdependence conceived by Hannah Arendt (1906-1975).