Nirvana and Other Buddhist Felicities (Cambridge Studies in Religious Traditions, Series Number 12)

This book presents an answer to the question: what is nirvana? Part I distinguishes between systematic and narrative thought in the Pali texts of Theravada Buddhism in South and Southeast Asia, arguing that nirvana produces closure in both, and setting nirvana in the wider category of Buddhist Felicities. Part II explores other Buddhist utopias (both eu-topias, 'good places', and ou-topias, 'no-places'), and relates Buddhist utopianism to studies of European and American utopian writing. The book ends with a close reading of the Vessantara Jataka, which highlights the conflict between the ascetic quest for closure and ultimate felicity, and the ongoing demands of ordinary life and society. Steven Collins discusses these issues in relation to textuality, world history and ideology in premodern civilizations, aiming to contribute to an alternate vision of Buddhist history, which can hold both the inside and the outside of texts together. General Introduction: Buddhism And Civilizational History 1 -- Structures And Processes -- Pt. 1. Nirvana In And Out Of Time -- Introduction To Part 1: Systematic And Narrative Thought -- Eternity And Closure In Structure And Story. 1. The Concept Of Nirvana. 2. The Imagery Of Nirvana. 3. Nirvana, Time And Narrative -- Conclusion To Part 1: Modes Of Thought, Modes Of Tradition -- Pt. 2. Paradise In Heaven And On Earth -- Introduction To Part 2: Utopia And The Ideal Society. 4. Heaven, The Land Of Cockaygne And Arcadia. 5. Millennialism -- Critical Discussion: What Is Millennialism? Premodern Ideas And Modern Movements. 6. The Perfect Moral Commonwealth? Kingship And Its Discontents. 7. The Vessantara Jataka -- Conclusion To Part 2: In What Sense Can One Speak Of Buddhist Utopianism? -- General Conclusion: Buddhism And Civilizational History 2 -- Reprise -- App. 1. Selections From The Buddhavamsa -- App. 2. Chapters 1 And 2 Of The Mahavamsa -- App. 3. The Discourse (containing) A Lion's Roar On The Wheel-turning King (cakkavatti-sihanada Sutta) -- App. 4. Selections From The Story Of The Elder Maleyya (maleyyadevattheravatthu) -- App. 5. The Discourse On What Is Primary (agganna Sutta) -- Glossary And Index Of Pali And Sanskrit Words. Steven Collins. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 635-669) And Indexes. This book presents a new answer to the question: what is nirvana? Part One distinguishes between systematic and narrative thought in the Pali texts of Theravada Buddhism, looking at the place of nirvana in both. Part Two explores other Buddhist utopias and relates Buddhist utopianism to studies of European and American utopian writing. Steven Collins discusses these issues in relation to textuality, world history, and ideology in premodern civilizations, aiming to contribute to a new vision of Buddhist history that integrates the inside and the outside of texts. Examines the meaning of 'nirvana' and discusses Buddhist utopias, textuality and world history