The Routledge Handbook of Indian Buddhist Philosophy (Routledge Handbooks in Philosophy)

The Routledge Handbook of Indian Buddhist Philosophy is the first scholarly reference volume to highlight the diversity and individuality of a large number of the most influential philosophers to have contributed to the evolution of Buddhist thought in India. By placing the author at the center of inquiry, the volume highlights the often unrecognized innovation and multiplicity of India’s Buddhist thinkers, whose unique contributions are commonly subsumed in more general doctrinal presentations of philosophical schools. Here, instead, the reader is invited to explore the works and ideas of India’s most important Buddhist philosophers in a manner that takes seriously the weight of their philosophical thought. The forty chapters by an international and interdisciplinary team of renowned contributors each seek to offer both a wide-ranging overview and a philosophically astute reading of the works of the most seminal Indian Buddhist authors from the earliest writings to the twentieth century. The volume thus also provides thorough coverage of all the main figures, texts, traditions, and debates animating Indian Buddhist thought, and as such can serve as an in-depth introduction to Buddhist philosophy in India for those new to the field. Essential reading for students and researchers in Asian and comparative philosophy, The Routledge Handbook of Indian Buddhist Philosophy is also an excellent resource for specialists in Buddhist philosophy, as well as for contemporary philosophers interested in learning about the rigorous and rich traditions of Buddhist philosophy in India. Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgments Notes on Contributors Introduction Part 1 Buddhas as Philosophers Introduction to Part 1 1 Gotama Buddha: His Quest and His Teachings 2 Siddhārtha Gautama: Beyond the Historical Figure 3 The Tantric Buddha: Primordial Buddhas as Philosophical Authors 4 Maitreya: The Future Buddha as an Author Part 2 Poet Philosophers Introduction to Part 2 5 Aśvaghoṣa: The Dawn of Indian Buddhist Philosophy 6 The Milindapañha: How to Use a Philosophical Resource and Find a Literary Gem 7 Cāttaṉār: Poet-Philosopher in Tamiḻ 8 Saraha: The Anti-Philosopher as Philosopher Part 3 Abhidharma Philosophers Introduction to Part 3 9 The Dhammasaṅgaṇī and Vibhaṅga: The Perfectly Awakened Buddha and the First Abhidhammikas 10 Moggaliputta Tissa’s Points of Discussion (Kathāvatthu): Reasoning and Debate in Early Buddhist Thought 11 Kātyāyanīputra and the Large Commentary (Mahāvibhāṣā): The Development of Abhidharma Literature and of a Sarvāstivāda Self-identity 12 The Vātsīputrīya/Sāṃmitīya: Buddhist Personalism as a Mainstream School of Thought Part 4 Philosophical Founders Introduction to Part 4 13 Nāgārjuna: Dependent Arising Without Any Thing Arising 14 Āryadeva: Quietism and Buddhist Ethics 15 Asaṅga: Great Systematizer of Yogācāra Thought 16 Vasubandhu: Mainstream and Mahāyāna 17 Dignāga: Early Innovator in Buddhist Epistemology 18 Dharmakīrti: Philosopher and Defender of the Faith Part 5 Early-Period Commentators (Fifth–Seventh Century) Introduction to Part 5 19 Buddhaghosa: Phenomenology, Hermeneutics, and Understanding 20 Bhāviveka: Madhyamaka Dialectic, Doxography, and Soteriology 21 Dharmapāla: A Janus-Faced Interpreter of Yogācāra? 22 Sthiramati: A Yogācāra Commentator and Innovator 23 Devendrabuddhi and Śākyabuddhi: Dharmakīrti’s First Commentators 24 Candrakīrti: Gardener of Sky-Flowers Part 6 Middle-Period Commentators (Eighth–Ninth Century) Introduction to Part 6 25 Śubhagupta: An Externalist Outsider Within the Dharmakīrtian Tradition 26 Dharmottara: Systematic and Innovative Commentator 27 Jñānagarbha: Two Truths Theory, Gradualism, and Mādhyamika Philosophy 28 Śāntarakṣita: Climbing the Ladder to the Ultimate Truth 29 Kamalaśīla: Mādhyamika Champion of Magical Reason 30 Haribhadra: The Voice of Perfect Wisdom 31 Śāntideva: Virtue on the Empty Path of the Bodhisattva 32 Prajñākaragupta: Buddhist Epistemology as the Path to the Wisdom of Non-Duality Part 7 Late-Period Commentators (Tenth–Twelfth Century) Introduction to Part 7 33 Jitāri: A Later Buddhist Master of Debate 34 Jñānaśrīmitra: Variegated Non-Duality 35 Ratnakīrti: Aligning Everyday Experience with Momentariness and Idealism 36 Ratnākaraśānti: The Illumination of False Forms 37 Atiśa: The Great Middle Way of Mere Appearance 38 Abhayākaragupta: A Last Great Paṇḍita Part 8 Modern Philosophers Introduction to Part 8 39 B. R. Ambedkar: Justice, Religion, and Buddhist Political Philosophy 40 The Dalai Lama XIV: A Modern Indian Philosopher Index "The Routledge Handbook of Indian Buddhist Philosophy is an outstanding reference source to the principal philosophers in the diverse Buddhist traditions of India, from the early Pāli writings to the twentieth century. The Handbook provides thorough coverage of the most significant figures, texts and debates that animate Buddhist philosophy. A key feature is the attention given to the ideas and works of particular Buddhist thinkers, placing the author at the centre of inquiry. Forty chapters by an international team of contributors are divided into eight clear sections, each of which includes an introduction by the editors: Buddhas as Philosophers Poet Philosophers Abhidharma Philosophers Philosophical Founders Early Period Philosophical Commentators (fifth - eighth century) Middle Period Philosophical Commentators (eighth - ninth century) Late Period Philosophical Commentators (tenth - twelfth century) Modern Philosophers. Essential reading for students and researchers in Eastern and comparative philosophy and especially Buddhist philosophy, The Routledge Handbook of Indian Buddhist Philosophy will also be of interest to those studying Buddhism in religious studies and related subjects"-- Provided by publisher