3 - Computing in the Humanities and Social Sciences

language as the phono-linguistic form/substance of the Absolute—and, on another
level, Staal’s idea of mantras as the prototype of language. Kakuban also describes the
origin of language in the following way:
When we investigate into the origin of names and things, [we find
out that] they all come from shingon; those who do not know this
principle are pitiable […] Since worldly beings, including Brahmå,
even though they do not realize the true reality at least they
understand words and names, the Tathågata, out of compassion,
taught them the bråhm∆ script (bonji). Brahmå learnt it first and then
transmitted it to the other beings. Humans, gods, demons, and
animals, all used those sacred words (shøgo) (Kenmitsu fudøshø, in
Miyasaka 1989, ed.: 5).
In this passage it is striking that Kakuban does not distinguish between
the “language of Brahmå” (bongo, i.e., Sanskrit) and “Brahmå’s writing” (bonji,
i.e., the writing system of Sanskrit known as bråhm∆); thus, it is not clear
whether the Tathågata taught Brahmå a written or a spoken language. But in
any case, according to Kakuban “secret words” (mantras) were the first
language used by sentient beings. Other accounts explain that, while
supernatural beings have preserved their original mantric language, human
beings, because of their delusion, have turned it into a degenerated form of
communication—the various languages spoken in the world today. Among
them, only Sanskrit was able to preserve some connection with the original
“sacred words.”
1.3. Does a Shingon Language Exist?
The complexity of mantric phenomena, as we have seen, also makes it difficult to
understand their theoretical status. In particular, scholars have been debating whether
mantras can be considered a language or not. While some deny such a possibility
upfront, others have proposed various theories to justify mantras’ supposed linguistic
nature. In any case, there is a wide agreement on the importance of the context, of the
actual situation in which mantras are used.
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