Author: CHOONG Mun-Keat
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
Year: 1999
Language: English
Pages: 132
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8120816498
Description
This book investigates the teachings of emptiness in early Buddhism, as recorded in the Pali and Chinese versions of the early Buddhist canon. In general, the finding is that these two versions, although differently worded, record in common that the teachings of the historical Buddha are connected with emptiness (sunnatapatisamyutta). The notion of emptiness is mainly applied in the teachings of empty of self-attachment and empty of the two extremes.
By way of the wisdom of right view, leading to the highest peaceful state (nirvana), the mind can, in this very life, be fully liberated from (empty of) suffering, affliction, and distress. Having shown that the emptiness-teachings are common to the Pali and Chinese versions, the author concludes that the notion of emptiness had arisen already in the period of the early Buddhist sutras, and was not simply a creation of the Mahayana.
The general reader, with little or no prior knowledge of Buddhism, can discover in this book how early Buddhism provides a vision and a method to help in overcoming the ills of the mind.
Contents
FOREWORD
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS TO THE FIRST EDITION
ABBREVIATIONS
INTRODUCTION
Aim of the study, subject mater, and argument
Sources and Methodology
Presentation
CHAPTER ONE
The Meaning of Emptiness in Early Buddhism
Emptiness and the Place for Practising Meditation
The Emptiness of Kong-sanmei/Sunnata-vihara and Empty World
Conditioned Genesis, Nirvana and Emptiness
The Recognition of Emptiness
CHAPTER TWO
The Practice of Emptiness in Early Buddhism
Emptiness and Samatha-vipassana (calm and insight)
Emptiness and Mind-liberation or Mind-concentration
Emptiness, Three Concentration (samadhi), and Three Kinds of Contact (phassa)
Small and Great Emptiness
CONCLUSION
APPENDIX
Three emptiness-sutras in the Chinese Samyuktagama and their reconstructed Sanskrit versions
NOTES
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX