An Introduction to Early Buddhist Soteriology : Freedom of Mind and Freedom by Wisdom

The book offers a comprehensive discussion on the Buddhist liberation and meditation concepts based on the original Pāli scriptures of Theravāda Buddhism. It interprets the early Buddhist soteriology critically and sympathetically by interweaving the Buddhological and the Buddhistic debates on understanding the Buddha’s original teaching on bondage, liberation, liberated ones, and meditation. It showcases the liberal and pluralistic character of early Buddhist soteriology by interpreting it psychologically through the lens of the Buddha's recognition of two sets of psychosomatic and epistemic mental configurations active in the human mind. It shows how this dualism pervades the early Buddhist soteriology by pointing out its recognition of craving and ignorance as two causes of suffering; the emancipation of mind and the emancipation by wisdom as two constituents of liberation; and the meditative appeasing and the meditative watching as two methods to attain that liberation. It demonstrates how the Buddha structures a gradual path to liberation enabling individuals to experience many temporary and irreversible secondary goals along the way and allowing them to join the path at any stage appropriate to their temperaments and advancement at a given time and space. The book therefore serves the students and scholars of Buddhism, religion, and psychology to obtain a comprehensive and insightful introduction to Buddhist soteriology. Preface Contents Abbreviations of the Pāli Texts 1 Introduction Psychosomatic and Epistemic Configurations Extinguishment-Experience Two Groups of Practitioners Dhammayogā Monks and Jhāyī Monks This Book Chapter Outline 2 Defining Buddhist Liberation Introduction Vimutti Temporary and Permanent Emancipations As Foundations The Problem of Retaining Liberation Defining Liberated Mind Liberation from the Birth-Cycle Liberation from Defilements Liberation from Conceit Liberation from Acquisitions Liberation from Lust, Hatred, and Delusion Liberation from Craving and Clinging Conclusion 3 Conjoining Meditative Appeasing and Meditative Watching Introduction Two Schemes of Meditative Practice Meditative Appeasing and Right Concentration Meditative Watching and Right View Meditative Appeasing and Meditative Watching Combined Practice From Appeasing to Watching Conjoining the Two Techniques Dhammuddhacca Conclusion 4 Absorptions as Emancipations of Mind Introduction Preliminary Clarifications Godhika’s Emancipation of Mind Form Absorptions as Emancipations of Mind Formless Attainments as Emancipations of Mind Conclusion 5 Absorptions as Means to Liberation Introduction Absorptions Absorption Factors and Hindrances Absorption Factors in Anupadasutta Place of Absorptions Path to Liberation and Absorptions Paths that Exclude Absorptions Development of Iddhis Absorptions in Buddhist Paths Conclusion 6 The Boundless States as Absorption Meditations Introduction Two Levels of Practice Four Sublime Practices Boundless Meditations and Boundless Liberations Pacification of Ill-Will Shakeable and Unshakeable Emancipations of Mind Boundless and Widespread Boundless States and Factors of Enlightenment Transcending Limitations Buddhist and Non-Buddhist Practice of Sublime States From Boundless Emancipations to Non-Return Dangers of Anger Benefits of Developing Loving-Kindness Loving-Kindness and Charity Conclusion 7 Noble Persons and Mental Fetters Introduction Eight Noble Persons Trainees and the Accomplished Trainee’s Strengths and Qualities Trainee’s Knowledge Stream-Enterers and Mundane People Faith-Follower and Dhamma-Follower One with Right View Once-Returner Ten Fetters Stock Passage on Four Noble Persons Fetters and Taints Seven Non-Returners Once-Returner and Non-Returner Three Groups of Fetters Problem of Restlessness Conclusion 8 Cessation of Perception and Feeling Introduction Cessation State Stilling All Configurations Preparation Who Can Attain It? What Does the Stock Passage Say? The Body-Witness and One Emancipated in Two Ways Why Attain It? Here and Now Extinguishment Experience Conclusion 9 One Emancipated by Wisdom Introduction Emancipation by Wisdom Word Paññā Wisdom Founded on Concentration Function of Wisdom Meditation Practice One Emancipated by Wisdom and Other Arahats One Emancipated by Wisdom and the Buddha Conclusion 10 One Emancipated in Two Ways Introduction Main Definitions Comparisons Commentary Definitions Eight Deliverances and Peaceful Deliverances Ubhatobhāgavimutta and Paññāvimutta Puggalapaññatti Commentary Three Views Conclusion 11 One Emancipated by Faith Introduction One Emancipated by Faith and Faith-Follower Seven Types? Conclusion 12 Lay Arahats Introduction Theravāda Position Deliberate Exclusion Going Forth as Means to Arahatship Turning Lay Arahats to Monk Arahats The Buddha’s Attitude Conclusion 13 Conclusion Psychosomatic and Epistemic Division Language and Interpretation Bibliography Index The book offers a comprehensive discussion on the Buddhist liberation and meditation concepts based on the original Pali scriptures of Theravada Buddhism. It interprets the early Buddhist soteriology critically and sympathetically by interweaving the Buddhological and the Buddhistic debates on understanding the Buddhas original teaching on bondage, liberation, liberated ones, and meditation. It showcases the liberal and pluralistic character of early Buddhist soteriology by interpreting it psychologically through the lens of the Buddha's recognition of two sets of psychosomatic and epistemic mental configurations active in the human mind. It shows how this dualism pervades the early Buddhist soteriology by pointing out its recognition of craving and ignorance as two causes of suffering; the emancipation of mind and the emancipation by wisdom as two constituents of liberation; and the meditative appeasing and the meditative watching as two methods to attain that liberation. It demonstrates how the Buddha structures a gradual path to liberation enabling individuals to experience many temporary and irreversible secondary goals along the way and allowing them to join the path at any stage appropriate to their temperaments and advancement at a given time and space. The book therefore serves the students and scholars of Buddhism, religion, and psychology to obtain a comprehensive and insightful introduction to Buddhist soteriology. G.A. Somaratne (Ph.D., Northwestern) is Associate Professor in Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong. He is a Sri Lankan scholar in early Buddhism and Pali textual criticism. He was formerly Co-director of Dhammachai Tipitaka Project, Rector of Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy, Professor in Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Peradeniya, and Associate Professor in Religion, Miyazaki International College. His previous publications include The Buddhas Teaching: A Buddhistic Analysis (2021) and The Samyuttanikaya Volume I (1998)