Buddhism, Knowledge and Liberation: A Philosophical StudyBuddhism is essentially a teaching about liberation - from suffering, ignorance, selfishness and continued rebirth. Knowledge of 'the way things really are' is thought by many Buddhists to be vital in bringing about this emancipation. This book is a philosophical study of the notion of liberating knowledge as it occurs in a range of Buddhist sources. Buddhism, Knowledge and Liberation assesses the common Buddhist idea that knowledge of the three characteristics of existence (impermanence, not-self and suffering) is the key to liberation. It argues that this claim must be seen in the context of the Buddhist path and training as a whole. Detailed attention is also given to anti-realist, sceptical and mystical strands within the Buddhist tradition, all of which make distinctive claims about liberating knowledge and the nature of reality. David Burton seeks to uncover various problematic assumptions which underpin the Buddhist worldview. Sensitive to the wide diversity of philosophical perspectives and interpretations that Buddhism has engendered, this book makes a serious contribution to critical and philosophically aware engagement with Buddhist thought. Written in an accessible style, it will be of value to those interested in Buddhist Studies and broader issues in comparative philosophy and religion. |
Contents
Thorough knowledge Versus Deficient Understanding | 31 |
Moral Knowledge and the Buddhist Path | 55 |
Buddhist Antirealism | 79 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
achieve actually anti-realism anti-realist apprehend arguably argue Awakened Bodhi Bodhisattvas Buddha Buddhist path Buddhist sceptics Buddhist teachings Candrakīrti cause suffering Chapter conceptual construction correct cognition craving and attachment craving and hence craving and suffering dependent origination dharmas dukkha emotional emptiness entities eradicate craving eradication of craving ethical example experience fabrications Furthermore happiness hence suffering human impermanent ineffable reality inexpressible instance interpretation knowledge by acquaintance knowledge by description knowledge claim lack inherent existence lake in Hyde liberating knowledge Madhyamaka Mahāyāna means meditation mental mind moral judgement moral relativists mystical Nāgārjuna Nikāya nirvāṇa not-self omniscience one's craving ontological Pāli perceive perception perhaps permanent phenomena philosophical possible practitioners propositional knowledge refute samsāra saññā Sarvāstivādins Sautrāntikas seems selfless sense sentient simply stop craving store consciousness suffering when craved texts Theravāda thought three characteristics Tibetan tradition trans ultimate truth Unawakened unconscious belief understanding unfabricated Vasubandhu words Yogācāra Yogācārins
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