An Introduction to Early Buddhist Soteriology: Freedom of Mind and Freedom by Wisdom

The book provides a comprehensive interpretation of Buddhist liberation and meditation concepts based on the original Pāli scriptures of Theravāda Buddhism. It critically examines the early Buddhist soteriology and explores its psychological aspects through the recognition of two sets of mental configurations: craving and ignorance. It demonstrates how these dualisms shape the early Buddhist path to liberation, offering a gradual process that allows individuals to experience temporary and irreversible secondary goals. The book is valuable for students and scholars of Buddhism, religion, and psychology, providing an insightful introduction to Buddhist soteriology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 308 pages
Publication date: 10 May 2022
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

The book delves into a comprehensive exploration of Buddhist liberation and meditation concepts, drawing upon the original Pāli scriptures of Theravāda Buddhism. Through a critical and sympathetic interpretation, it intertwines the Buddhistological and Buddhistic debates on understanding the Buddha's original teaching on bondage, liberation, liberated ones, and meditation. It showcases the liberal and pluralistic nature of early Buddhist soteriology by interpreting it psychologically, drawing from the Buddha's recognition of two distinct mental configurations: psychosomatic and epistemic. These mental configurations play a central role in shaping the early Buddhist understanding of liberation. The book highlights how this dualism permeates the early Buddhist soteriology by recognizing craving and ignorance as the primary causes of suffering. It further elucidates the two constituents of liberation: the emancipation of the mind and the emancipation through wisdom. Additionally, it explores the two methods of attaining liberation: meditative appeasing and meditative watching. By structuring a gradual path to liberation, the book allows individuals to experience various temporary and irreversible secondary goals along the way. It empowers them to join the path at any stage that aligns with their temperaments and advancement, irrespective of their time and spatial location. Consequently, this book serves as an invaluable resource for students and scholars of Buddhism, religion, and psychology, providing a comprehensive and insightful introduction to Buddhist soteriology.

Weight: 555g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811919138
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022