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.

List of contents

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 Analayo  2. Siddhartha Gautama: Beyond the Historical Figure Richard F. Nance  3. Vajradhara: Tantric Buddha as Philosophical Author Vesna Wallace  4. Maitreya Buddha: The Future Buddha as an Author Klaus-Dieter Mathes  Part 2: Poet Philosophers  Introduction to Part 2  5. Asvaghosa: 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. Cattanar: Poet-Philosopher in Tamil Anne Monius  8. Saraha: The Anti-Philosopher as Philosopher Roger Jackson  Part 3: Abhidharma Philosophers  Introduction to Part 3  9. The Dhammasangani and Vibhanga: The Perfectly-Awakened Buddha and the First Abhidhammikas Maria Heim  10. Katyayaniputra and the Large Commentary (Mahavibhasa): The Development of Abhidharma Literature and of a Sarvastivada Self-identity Bart Dessein  11. Moggaliputta Tissa's Points of Discussion (Kathavatthu): Reasoning and Debate in Early Buddhist Thought Rupert Gethin  12. The Sa mitiya-Vatsiputriyas: Buddhist Personalism as a School of Thought Peter Skilling  Part 4: Philosophical Founders  Introduction to Part 4  13. Nagarjuna: Dependent Arising Without Any Thing Arising Amber Carpenter  14. Aryadeva: Quietism and Buddhist Ethics Tom Tillemans  15. Asanga: Great Systematizer of Yogacara Thought Jowita Kramer  16. Vasubandhu: Mainstream and Mahayana Jonathan Gold  17. Dignaga: Early Innovator in Buddhist Epistemology Kei Kataoka  18. Dharmakirti: Philosopher and Defender of the Faith John Taber  Part 5: Early Period Commentators (fifth - eighth century)  Introduction to Part 5  19. Buddhaghosa: Phenomenology, Hermeneutics, and the Buddhist Path Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad  20. Bhaviveka: Madhyamaka Dialectic, Doxography, and Soteriology Karl-Stéphan Bouthillette  21. Dharmapala: A Janus-Faced Interpreter of Yogacara? Ching Keng  22. Sthiramati: A Yogacara Commentator and Innovator Roy Tzohar and Jowita Kramer  23. Devendrabuddhi and Sakyabuddhi: Dharmakirti's Earliest Commentators Alexander Yiannopoulos  24. Candrakirti: Gardener of Sky-Flowers Mattia Salvini  Part 6: Middle Period Commentators (eighth - ninth century)  Introduction to Part 6  25. Subhagupta: An Externalist Outsider within the Dharmakirtian Tradition Serena Saccone  26. Dharmottara: Systematic and Innovative Commentator David Nowakowski  27. Jñanagarbha: Two Truths Theory, Gradualism, and Madhyamika Philosophy Ryusei Keira  28. Santaraksita: Climbing the Ladder to Ultimate Truth Allison Aitken  29. Kamalasila: Madhyamaka Champion of Magical Reason Sara McClintock  30. Haribhadra: The Voice of Perfect Wisdom Pierre-Julien Harter  31. Santideva: Virtue on the Empty Path of the Bodhisattva Stephen Harris  32. Prajñakaragupta: 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. Jitari: A Later Buddhist Master of Debate Junjie Chu  34. Jñanasrimitra: Variegated Non-Duality Lawrence McCrea  35. Ratnakirti: Aligning Everyday Experience with Momentariness and Idealism Patrick McAllister  36. Ratnakarasanti: The Illumination of False-form Gregory Max Seton  37. Atisa: The Great Middle Way of Mere Appearance James Apple  38. Abhayakaragupta: A Last Great Pandita Kazuo Kan   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

About the author

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.

Summary

An outstanding reference source to the principal philosophers in the Buddhist traditions. Essential reading for students and researchers in Eastern and comparative philosophy, and also of interest to those studying Buddhism in religious studies and related subjects.

Report

'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 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

Product details

• Authors: William Harter Edelglass
• Assisted by: William Edelglass (Editor), Edelglass William (Editor), Pierre-Julien Harter (Editor), Sara McClintock (Editor), McClintock Sara (Editor)
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 27.05.2024
• EAN: 9781032301952
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3230195-2
• No. of pages: 678
• Series: Routledge Handbooks in Philosophy
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History; RELIGION / Buddhism / General, Buddhism