Author: Iqbal Singh
S Radhakrishnan/Arvind Sharma
Editor(s): Matthew T Kapstein
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 2004
Language: English
Pages: 828
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0195668987
Description
The three works brought together in this collection explore Buddhism as a rich source of literary legend, an austere ethical guide, and a contemporary philosophy very relevant in the modern world. In view of the resurgence of interest in the Buddha and his philosophy, this volume provides a basis for an understanding of the life of Buddha and his teachings as well as for a comparative view of Buddhism as a world religion.
Mathew T Kapstein's Introduction, written especially for this edition, provides a concise historical overview of Buddhism in India an the renewal of interest in the Buddha's teachings. He situates the works in their proper contexts: the first two are discussed with reference to the place of Buddhism in mid-twentieth-century Indian thought and the third from the perspective of a post-modern thinker posing an entirely new set of questions.
Gautama Buddha by Iqbal Singh views the life of the Buddha in the context of the eventful age in which he lived. The book deals with the man in all his complex but ennobling humanity, keeping in mind the significant connection of the personality of Gautama and his understanding of the nature of human experience and destiny with the deeper problems of our age.
The Dhammapada or the path of virtue is the founding text of Buddhist teaching. The verses of the Dhammapada are believed to have been the utterances of Gautama the Buddha himself. Presented here in both Pali and English this classic edition was translated, edited, and annotated by S Radhakrishnan, one of India's foremost philosophers.
The Philosophy of Religion by Arvind Sharma is an illuminating study in which Sharma interrogates key philosophical issues such as the nature of evil, belief o disbelief in God, human destiny, immortality, karma, and reincarnation, from the perspective of Buddhist philosophy and compares them with the tenets of the Western-dominated philosophy of religion.
This book will be read with great interest by scholars and students of philosophy and religion, and lay readers interested in knowing more about Buddhism and its relevance in modern times.
REVIEWS
GAUTAMA BUDDHA
A sharply critical mind analyses the story of the Buddha's life…Singh displays a sound understanding of the prevailing social order and a fine sweep of erudition and cross-reference.
-The Times of India
THE DHAMMAPADA
The Dhammapada is the most popular and influential book of Buddhist canonical literature…Books so rich in significance…require to be understood by each generation in relation to its own problems.
-From the Preface by S Radhakrishnan
THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
The present work…is of general interest and promise…on account of its theme and approach and the exceptional competence of its author…it is based on a sound knowledge of the varied literature on the subject and is at the same time full of the sparkle of stimulating philosophical reflection in a cross-cultural context.
-Seminar
Contents
INTRODUCTION BY Matthew T Kapstein
GAUTAMA BUDDHA
Apropos the Second Impression
Preface
PART I: THE WORLD OF THE BUDDHA
PART II: BIOGRAPHICAL
Maya's Dream and the Nativity of the Buddha
The Republic of Kapilavastu
Some Early Events
The Pursuit of Pleasure
The Crisis and Renunciation
After Strange Gods
Enlightenment
Turning the Wheel of Doctrine
Growth of the Order
Years of Wandering and a Day
Fools in the Order
The Great Decease
Posthumous Postscript
PART III: THE WORLD OF THE BUDDHA
The Wheel
The Way
The Void
PART IV: AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH
PART V: THE BUDDHA IN A CHANGING WORLD
Epilogue
Little to add
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
Index
THE DHAMMAPADA
Preface
List of Abbreviations
Introduction:
The Dhammapada
Gautama the Buddha
Text, Translation, and Notes:
The Twin-Verses
Vigilance
Thought
Flowers
The Fool
The Wise Man
The Arhat (The Saint)
The Thousands
Evil Conduct
Punishment
Old Age
The Self
The World
The Buddha (The Awakened)
Happiness
Pleasure
Anger
Impurity The Righteous
The Path
Miscellaneous Verses
The Downward Course (Hell)
The Elephant
Thirst (or Carving)
The Mendicant
The Brahmin
Selected Bibliography
Pali Index
General Index
THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION: A BUDDHIST PERSPECTIVE
Introduction
The Concept of God
Grounds for Belief in God
Grounds for Disbelief in God
The Problem of Evil
Revelation and Faith
Problems of Religious Language
The Problem of Verification
The Conflicting Truth Claims of Different Religions
Human Destiny: Immortality and Resurrection
Human Destiny: Karma and Reincarnation
Notes and References
Index