[INDOLOGY] Alchemy metaphor

[Matthew Kapstein]

Dear Christopher,

"catalytic" meaning "pertaining to that which acts as a catalyst," which in turn is
1. a substance that causes or speeds a chemical reaction without itself being affected.
2. a person or thing that precipitates an event or change.

I.e., "catalytic" = "bringing about a transformation"

which is how I understand Prajnakaramati's causative interpretation.
But the Tibetan paraphrase seems fine as well.

all best,
Matthew

Matthew Kapstein
Directeur d'études,
Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes

Numata Visiting Professor of Buddhist Studies,
The University of Chicago
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