Talk:Ananda Coomaraswamy

Changes to Bibliography
Minor changes to and rearrangement of several of the titles in the bibliography. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Siegeltuch (talk • contribs) 01:50, 28 January 2022 (UTC)

Criticism of Jung and Theosophy
I added several citations to support the statement that Coomaraswamy was critical of Jung and Theosophy, as requested by Wikipedia. There are other quotes but these should suffice. A.K.C. corresponded with Jung and sent him several papers; he was, in general, not hostile to the practice of psychology but he was opposed to its use in explaining traditional doctrines. In the case of Theosophy, he was less generous, particularly over the idea of reincarnation (a modern term) which he felt to be a complete misrepresentation of the traditional doctrines regarding rebirth and transmigration. He wrote a bit on the topic although his major work on the subject was never published. It exists in manuscript form.

Methodology
I have added a section on Methodology; an addition to the list of his works; and a video link. I think this article needs some work as others have noted and I will try to add more as time permits. He is an important man and his works have added substantially to our knowledge of the past.

Feb. 11, 2019: added sections on Traditional Symbolism.

Additions
Ive made several substantial additions as well as a picture, making this is a FULL wiki entry of content. Other than his son, I consider myself Dr. AK Coomaraswamy biggest fan. Also I added a link to numberless complete books for free download on attan.com - User Attasarana, Pali translator, Neoplatonist, author, Metaphysician. User:Attasarana (16 June 2006)

NPOV
Theres no doubt that he was an extremely knowledgeable art historian, but this article is a bit too adoring and flattering. Just a few examples: Also, whats up with the "Traditionalist and Metaphysician" section? (5 July 2006) 70.187.181.68
 * "he became one of the world’s greatest art historians"
 * "one of the most qualified and gifted interpreters of traditional symbolism to have ever lived"
 * "he had access to the deepest levels of meaning to be found in language"

POV tag
I've done some work to reduce the POV statements, more needs to be done RaveenS (18 July 2006)(comment actually added by User:Taprobanus)

Traditional Buddhism
What would that be? Arrow740 23:54, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

Suggestions
I agree with the previous comments about this article lacking objectivity. The “His Contributions” section is impressionistic and vague. I’d rather read about “what” he thought than “how.”

In “Perennial Philosophy” I don’t really get a sense of AKC’s contribution, except for an argument of how he differed from Guenon. As far as his work on Buddhism is concerned, I was very interested to read that he provided an alternative to Guenon’s historical "power-struggle" interpretation, but I don’t know what is meant by the phrase “he rehabilitated original Buddhism.” This argument requires examples or historical data to back it up.

Knowing very little about Guenon and Schon, I can't say much about their work in Traditional Theory, but I'd love to learn more about AKC's contribution to this triad of perspectives. Please, please add more!

Lastly, there was much more to Coomaraswamy’s life than this article suggests. His own wishes notwithstanding, it actually discredits his name as one of the few truly erudite scholars of the 20th century to remember him ONLY as a Metaphysician. Where's the rest of his life? Dawnintodusk 00:50, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

NPOV
The sections comparing Guenon and Coomaraswamy need to be edited for neutrality.

Ex: "His works are also intellectually more balanced." —Preceding unsigned comment added by 156.56.3.80 (talk) 18:40, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

Multiple issues
I agree with most of what has been said above over the past 4 years. Not sure if im the one with the time or knowledge to fix this, but as an amateur student of sophia perennis, i do have an interest in clear descriptions in WP articles related to the subject. ill probably start with some removal of small unsourced (OR?) commentaries.Mercurywoodrose (talk) 01:25, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

Life
In the second paragraph in this section, we read that A. C. married Ethel Mary Partridge. The last sentence says that, after their divorce and her return to England, she became a "famous weaver". Since she was both a photographer of some note and a famous weaver, it is surprising that no page about her exists on Wikepedia. CorinneSD (talk) 21:38, 25 August 2013 (UTC)

Life
In the fourth paragraph we read that A. C. met and married Ratan Devi and that they had a son and a daughter. The third sentence begins – somewhat abruptly, I think – "He moved to the United States....". There is no mention of his wife and no mention of his children until the next sentence where it tells how his children died. It would be nice to know whether he moved to the United States with, or without, his wife and children – if somebody knows. CorinneSD (talk) 21:48, 25 August 2013 (UTC)

Ananda Coomara Swamy's father Muthu Coomara Swamy was not a Brahmin. His caste, if that is important for people to know, was Vellala. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.228.112.21 (talk) 19:14, 11 March 2016 (UTC)

External links modified
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 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20100828112019/http://www.studiesincomparativereligion.com:80/public/articles/Why_Exhibit_Works_of_Art-by_Ananda_Coomaraswamy.aspx to http://www.studiesincomparativereligion.com/public/articles/Why_Exhibit_Works_of_Art-by_Ananda_Coomaraswamy.aspx
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 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20071228093929/http://www.museindia.com:80/showfocus4.asp?id=698 to http://www.museindia.com/showfocus4.asp?id=698

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