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Philosophy of the Buddha
By: Gowans, Christopher W.

Our Price: $24.95
Members Price: $22.46

Author: Gowans, Christopher W.
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 0415278589

Product Code: 12166

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Description

About the author

Contents

Philosophy of the Buddha is a philosophical introduction to the teaching of the Buddha. It carefully guides readers through the basic ideas and practices of the Buddha, including kamma (karma), rebirth, the not-self doctrine, the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, ethics, meditation, nonattachment, and Nibbana (Nirvana).
The book includes an account of the life of the Buddha as well as comparisons of his teaching with practical and theoretical aspects of some Western philosophical outlooks, both ancient and modern. Most distinctively, Philosophy of the Buddha explores how Buddhist enlightenment could enable us to overcome suffering in our lives and reach our full potential for compassion and tranquillity.
This is one of the first books to introduce the philosophy of the Buddha to students of Western philosophy. Christopher W. Gowans' style is exceptionally clear and appropriate for anyone looking for a comprehensive introduction to this growing area of interest.

Philosophy of the Buddha, Christopher W. Gowans, RoutledgeCurzon, Paperback, 225 pages, $24.95.

Christopher W. Gowans is Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University.

Preface ix

Abbreviations xi

The Buddha's teaching as a philosophy 1

Observing the stream 3

The life of the Buddha 17

The teaching in brief 28

Practical dimensions of the teaching 41

Theoretical dimensions of the teaching 50

The not-self doctrine 61

An interpretation of the not-self doctrine 63

The rationale for thinking there are no substance-selves 76

Some philosophical issues: are we substance-selves or process-selves? 91

Kamma, rebirth, and the not-self doctrine 104

The nature, origin, and cessation of suffering 117

The nature and extent of suffering 119

The origin of suffering 127

The cessation of suffering: Nibbana-in-life 135

The cessation of suffering: Nibbana-after-death 148

The way to the cessation of suffering 159

The Eightfold Path: wisdom 161

The Eightfold Path: virtue 176

The Eightfold Path: concentration 186

A message of hope: the Buddha's invitation to live selflessly 197

Buddhist resources on the Internet 201

Glossary of important Pali terms 202

Bibliography 206

Index 216

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