The Origin of Buddhist Meditation (Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism - Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies)

Annotation Having identified early material that goes back to the Buddha himself, the author argues that the two teachers of the Buddha were historical figures. Based on the early Brahminic literature, namely the early Upanishads and Moksadharma, the author asserts the origin of the method of meditation learned by the Buddha from these teachers, and attempts to use them to identify some authentic teachings of the Buddha on meditation. Stimulating debate within the field of Buddhist Studies, the following claims are put forward: the Buddha was taught by Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta, as stated in the literature of numerous early Buddhist sects, is historically authentic Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta taught a form of early Brahminic meditation the Buddha must consequently have been trained in a meditative school whose ideology was provided by the philosophical portions of early Upanishads. Shedding new light on a fascinating aspect of the origins of Buddhism, this book will be of interest to academics in the field of Buddhist studies, Asian religion and South Asian studies The historic authenticity of the early Buddhist sources is a much disputed topic. Although many modern scholars of Indian Buddhism are highly sceptical about the possibility of identifying and recovering authentic early teachings, this book maintains that such an objective is possible. Having identified early material that goes back to the Buddha himself, the author argues that the two teachers of the Buddha were historical figures. Based on the early Brahminic literature, namely the early Upanisads and Moksadharma, the author asserts the origin of the method of meditation learned by the Buddha from these teachers, and attempts to use them to identify some authentic teachings of the Buddha on meditation.

The following claims are put forward in this book, which will stimulate a debate within the field of Buddhist Studies: The claim Buddha was taught by Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta, as stated in the literature of numerous early Buddhist sects, is historically authentic. Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta taught a form of early Brahminic meditation. The Buddha must consequently have been trained in a meditative school whose ideology was provided by the philosophical portions of early Upanisads. This hypothesis is confirmed in the Parayanavagga, where the Buddha teaches an adapted practice of Alara Kalama's goal to some Brahmins, and appears to be fully conversant with the philosophical presuppositions of early Brahminic meditation. The book will be of significant interest to academics in the field of Buddhist Studies, Asian Religion and South Asian Studies.

About the Author:
Alexander Wynne is a Junior Research Fellow at St John's College, Oxford

having Identified Early Material That Goes Back To The Buddha Himself, The Author Argues That The Two Teachers Of The Buddha Were Historical Figures. Based On The Early Brahminic Literature, Namely The Early Upanishads And Moksadharma, The Author Asserts The Origin Of The Method Of Meditation Learned By The Buddha From These Teachers, And Attempts To Use Them To Identify Some Authentic Teachings Of The Buddha On Meditation.

stimulating Debate Within The Field Of Buddhist Studies, The Following Claims Are Put Forward:

• the Buddha Was Taught By Alara Kalama And Uddaka Ramaputta, As Stated In The Literature Of Numerous Early Buddhist Sects, Is Historically Authentic


• alara Kalama And Uddaka Ramaputta Taught A Form Of Early Brahminic Meditation


• the Buddha Must Consequently Have Been Trained In A Meditative School Whose Ideology Was Provided By The Philosophical Portions Of Early Upanishads

shedding New Light On A Fascinating Aspect Of The Origins Of Buddhism, This Book Will Be Of Interest To Academics In The Field Of Buddhist Studies, Asian Religion And South Asian Studies.

"Having identified early material that goes back to the Buddha himself, the author argues that the two teachers of the Buddha were historical figures. Based on the early Brahminic literature, namely the early Upanishads and Moksadharma, the author asserts the origin of the method of meditation learned by the Buddha from these teachers, and attempts to use them to identify some authentic teachings of the Buddha on meditation. The following claims are put forward : the Buddha was taught by Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta, as stated in the literature of numerous early Buddhist sects, is historically authentic; Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta taught a form of early Brahminic meditation; and the Buddha must consequently have been trained in a meditative school whose ideology was provided by the philosophical portions of early Upanishads. This book will be of interest to academics in the field of Buddhist studies, Asian Religion and South Asian studies."--Résumé de l'éditeur "Having identified early material that goes back to the Buddha himself, the author argues that the two teachers of the Buddha were historical figures. Based on the early Brahminic literature, namely the early Upanishads and Moksadharma, the author asserts the origin of the method of meditation learned by the Buddha from these teachers, and attempts to use them to identify some authentic teachings of the Buddha on meditation. The following claims are put forward: the Buddha was taught by Āḷāra Kālāma and Uddaka Rāmaputta, as stated in the literature of numerous early Buddhist sects, is historically authentic; Āḷāra Kālāma and Uddaka Rāmaputta taught a form of early Brahminic meditation; and the Buddha must consequently have been trained in a meditative school whose ideology was provided by the philosophical portions of early Upanishads. This book will be of interest to academics in the field of Buddhist studies, Asian Religion and South Asian studies."--Jacket BOOK COVER......Page 1 TITLE......Page 9 COPYRIGHT......Page 10 CONTENTS......Page 11 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 14 ABBREVIATIONS......Page 15 1 INTRODUCTION......Page 18 2 ALARA KALAMA AND UDDAKA RAMAPUTTA......Page 25 3 FORMLESS MEDITATION AND EARLY BRAHMINISM......Page 41 4 THE PHILOSOPHY OF EARLY BRAHMINIC YOGA......Page 62 5 MEDITATION IN THE PARAYANAVAGGA......Page 80 6 CONCLUSION: The origin of Buddhist meditation and early Buddhism......Page 111 NOTES......Page 129 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 158 INDEX......Page 163 Humanities BOOK COVER 1 TITLE 9 COPYRIGHT 10 CONTENTS 11 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 14 ABBREVIATIONS 15 1 INTRODUCTION 18 2 ALARA KALAMA AND UDDAKA RAMAPUTTA 25 3 FORMLESS MEDITATION AND EARLY BRAHMINISM 41 4 THE PHILOSOPHY OF EARLY BRAHMINIC YOGA 62 5 MEDITATION IN THE PARAYANAVAGGA 80 6 CONCLUSION: The origin of Buddhist meditation and early Buddhism 111 NOTES 129 BIBLIOGRAPHY 158 INDEX 163 Based on the early Brahminic literature, the author asserts the origin of the method of meditation learned by the Buddha from his two teachers and identifies some authentic teachings of the Buddha on meditation.