ABSTRACT
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 it 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.
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 Anālayo 2. Siddhārtha 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. Aśvaghoṣa: 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. Cāttanār: 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 Dhammasaṅganī and Vibhaṅga: The Perfectly-Awakened Buddha and the First Abhidhammikas Maria Heim 10. Kātyāyanīputra and the Large Commentary (Mahāvibhāṣā): The Development of Abhidharma Literature and of a Sarvāstivāda Self-identity Bart Dessein 11. Moggaliputta Tissa’s Points of Discussion (Kathāvatthu): Reasoning and Debate in Early Buddhist Thought Rupert Gethin 12. The Sāṃmitīya-Vātsīputrīyas: Buddhist Personalism as a School of Thought Peter Skilling Part 4: Philosophical Founders Introduction to Part 4 13. Nāgārjuna: Dependent Arising Without Any Thing Arising Amber Carpenter 14. Āryadeva: Quietism and Buddhist Ethics Tom Tillemans 15. Asaṅga: Great Systematizer of Yogācāra Thought Jowita Kramer 16. Vasubandhu: Mainstream and Mahāyāna Jonathan Gold 17. Dignāga: Early Innovator in Buddhist Epistemology Kei Kataoka 18. Dharmakīrti: Philosopher and Defender of the Faith John Taber Part 5: Early Period Philosophical Commentators (fifth – eighth century) Introduction to Part 5 19. Buddhaghosa: Phenomenology, Hermeneutics, and the Buddhist Path Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad and Sarah Fleming 20. Bhāviveka: Madhyamaka Dialectic, Doxography, and Soteriology Karl-Stéphan Bouthillette 21. Dharmapāla: A Janus-Faced Interpreter of Yogācāra? Ching Keng 22. Sthiramati: A Yogācāra Commentator and Innovator Roy Tzohar and Jowita Kramer 23. Devendrabuddhi and Śākyabuddhi: Dharmakīrti’s Earliest Commentators Alexander Yiannopoulos 24. Candrakīrti: Gardener of Sky-Flowers Mattia Salvini Part 6: Middle Period Philosophical Commentators (eighth – ninth century) Introduction to Part 6 25. Śubhagupta: An Externalist Outsider within the Dharmakīrtian Tradition Serena Saccone 26. Dharmottara: Systematic and Innovative Commentator David Nowakowski 27. Jñānagarbha: Two Truths Theory, Gradualism, and Mādhyamika Philosophy Ryusei Keira 28. Śāntarakṣita: Climbing the Ladder to Ultimate Truth Allison Aitken 29. Kamalaśīla: Madhyamaka Champion of Magical Reason Sara McClintock 30. Haribhadra: The Voice of Perfect Wisdom Pierre-Julien Harter 31. Śāntideva: Virtue on the Empty Path of the Bodhisattva Stephen Harris 32. Prajñākaragupta: Buddhist Epistemology as the Path to the Wisdom of Non-Duality Shinya Moriyama Part 7: Late Period Philosophical Commentators (tenth – twelfth century) Introduction to Part 7 33. Jitāri: A Later Buddhist Master of Debate Junjie Chu 34. Jñānaśrīmitra: Variegated Non-Duality Lawrence McCrea 35. Ratnakīrti: Aligning Everyday Experience with Momentariness and Idealism Patrick McAllister 36. Ratnākaraśānti: The Illumination of False-form Gregory Max Seton 37. Atiśa: The Great Middle Way of Mere Appearance James Apple 38. Abhayākaragupta: A Last Great Paṇḍita Kazuo Kanō Part 8: Modern Philosophers Introduction to Part 8 39. Ambedkar: Buddhism as Critical and Liberating William Edelglass 40. The Dalai Lama XIV: A Modern Indian Philosopher Jay L. Garfield. Index
