1st Edition
The Routledge Handbook of Indian Buddhist 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.
Introduction William Edelglass, Pierre-Julien Harter, Sara McClintock
Part 1: Buddhas as Philosophers
Introduction to Part 1
1. Gotama Buddha: His Quest and Teachings Bhikkhu Anālayo
2. Siddhārtha Gautama: Beyond the Historical Figure Richard F. Nance
3. The Tantric Buddha: Primordial Buddhas as Philosophical Authors Vesna A. Wallace
4. Maitreya: The Future Buddha as an Author Klaus-Dieter Mathes
Part 2: Poet Philosophers
Introduction to Part 2
5. Aśvaghoṣa: The Dawn of Indian Buddhist Philosophy Vincent Eltschinger
6. The Milindapañha: How to Use a Philosophical Resource and Find a Literary Gem Sonam Kachru
7. Cāttanār: Poet-Philosopher in Tamil Anne E. Monius
8. Saraha: The Anti-Philosopher as Philosopher Roger R. Jackson
Part 3: Abhidharma Philosophers
Introduction to Part 3
9. The Dhammasaṅganī and Vibhaṅga: The Perfectly-Awakened Buddha and the First Abhidhammikas Maria Heim
10. Moggaliputta Tissa’s Points of Discussion (Kathāvatthu): Reasoning and Debate in Early Buddhist Thought Rupert Gethin
11. Kātyāyanīputra and the Large Commentary (Mahāvibhāṣā): The Development of Abhidharma Literature and of a Sarvāstivāda Self-identity Bart Dessein
12. The Vātsīputrīyas/Sāṃmitīya: Buddhist Personalism as a Mainstream School of Thought Peter Skilling
Part 4: Philosophical Founders
Introduction to Part 4
13. Nāgārjuna: Dependent Arising Without Any Thing Arising Amber D. Carpenter
14. Āryadeva: Quietism and Buddhist Ethics Tom J.F. Tillemans
15. Asaṅga: Great Systematizer of Yogācāra Thought Jowita Kramer
16. Vasubandhu: Mainstream and Mahāyāna Jonathan C. Gold
17. Dignāga: Early Innovator in Buddhist Epistemology Kei Kataoka
18. Dharmakīrti: Philosopher and Defender of the Faith John Taber
Part 5: Early Period Commentators (Fifth – Seventh Century)
Introduction to Part 5
19. Buddhaghosa: Phenomenology, Hermeneutics, and Understanding Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad
20. Bhāviveka: Madhyamaka Dialectic, Doxography, and Soteriology Karl-Stéphan Bouthillette
21. Dharmapāla: A Janus-Faced Interpreter of Yogācāra? Ching Keng
22. Sthiramati: A Yogācāra Commentator and Innovator Roy Tzohar and Jowita Kramer
23. Devendrabuddhi and Śākyabuddhi: Dharmakīrti’s First Commentators Alexander Yiannopoulos
24. Candrakīrti: Gardener of Sky-Flowers Mattia Salvini
Part 6: Middle Period Commentators (Eighth – Ninth Century)
Introduction to Part 6
25. Śubhagupta: An Externalist Outsider Within the Dharmakīrtian Tradition Serena Saccone
26. Dharmottara: Systematic and Innovative Commentator David Nowakowski
27. Jñānagarbha: Two Truths Theory, Gradualism, and Mādhyamika Philosophy Ryusei Keira
28. Śāntarakṣita: Climbing the Ladder to the Ultimate Truth Allison Aitken
29. Kamalaśīla: Madhyamaka Champion of Magical Reason Sara McClintock
30. Haribhadra: The Voice of Perfect Wisdom Pierre-Julien Harter
31. Śāntideva: Virtue on the Empty Path of the Bodhisattva Stephen Harris
32. Prajñākaragupta: Buddhist Epistemology as the Path to the Wisdom of Non-Duality Shinya Moriyama
Part 7: Late Period Commentators (Tenth – Twelfth Century)
Introduction to Part 7
33. Jitāri: A Later Buddhist Master of Debate Junjie Chu
34. Jñānaśrīmitra: Variegated Non-Duality Lawrence McCrea
35. Ratnakīrti: Aligning Everyday Experience with Momentariness and Idealism Patrick McAllister
36. Ratnākaraśānti: The Illumination of False Forms Gregory Max Seton
37. Atiśa: The Great Middle Way of Mere Appearance James B. Apple
38. Abhayākaragupta: A Last Great Paṇḍita Kazuo Kanō
Part 8: Modern Philosophers
Introduction to Part 8
39. B. R. Ambedkar: Justice, Religion, and Buddhist Political Philosophy William Edelglass
40. The Dalai Lama XIV: A Modern Indian Philosopher Jay L. Garfield.
Index
Biography
William Edelglass is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Emerson College and Director of Studies at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, USA.
Pierre-Julien Harter is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and The Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation Professor of Philosophy in Buddhist Studies at University of New Mexico, USA.
Sara McClintock is Associate Professor of Religion at Emory University, USA.
'A splendid and comprehensive study of Buddhist philosophy in its country of origin. The Routledge Handbook of Indian Buddhist Philosophy is an important addition to the global philosophy movement.' - Owen Flanagan, Duke University, USA
'With an emphasis on the creative originality of key historical philosophers, and with a line-up of the finest scholars in Buddhist philosophy, this volume is sure to become an indispensable resource for teachers and scholars alike, and also serve as a magnificent introduction to the dynamism and potentiality of the field.' - Jonardon Ganeri, University of Toronto, Canada
'This carefully edited volume provides an understanding of Indian Buddhist philosophy through the study of the authorial figures that shaped its schools and doctrines. From the early discourses to the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, a picture emerges of an active intellectual enterprise devoted to the exploration of some of the most profound issues in philosophy.' - Anita Avramides, University of Oxford, UK
'An amazing resource for scholar and student alike, the chapters in this book, written by the very best scholars in the field, masterfully introduce the life and thought of the major figures of Indian Buddhist philosophy in clear and readable prose. There is no book quite like it. The next time I teach a course on this subject, this book will be atop the reading list.' - José Ignacio Cabezón, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA
'This Handbook is a landmark contribution to the field, offering superb coverage of the principal Indian Buddhist philosophers and showcasing the breadth and depth of one of the world’s richest philosophical traditions. It will be an essential reference work for scholars and students alike for years to come.' - Evan Thompson, University of British Columbia, Canada
'This is a great resource for all those who want to learn more about Indian Buddhism and its philosophical traditions. It explores in great depth many different aspects of these rich traditions and will be an invaluable resource for those interested in further exploring Indian Buddhist philosophy.' - Georges Dreyfus, Williams College, USA
