The Golden Age of Indian Buddhist Philosophy

Jan Westerhoff's book explores the development of Buddhist philosophy in the first millennium CE, focusing on the schools of the Abhidharma, Madhyamaka, Yogacara, and Dinnaga and Dharmakirti. It discusses the historical context, intellectual and cultural factors, and key concepts such as non-self, suffering, reincarnation, karma, and nirvana.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Jan Westerhoff delves into the captivating story of one of the most significant periods in the history of Indian thought: the evolution of Buddhist philosophy during the first millennium CE. He begins his exploration by tracing the composition of the Abhidharma works before the common era, and continues until the time of Dharmakirti in the sixth century. This era was marked by the emergence of a diverse range of philosophical schools and approaches that have shaped Buddhist thought to this day. These include the scholasticism of the Abhidharma, the profound theory of emptiness proposed by the Madhyamaka school, the idealistic vision of Yogacara, and the logical and epistemological works of Dinnaga and Dharmakirti.

The book endeavors to provide a comprehensive account of the historical development of these schools, placing particular emphasis on three factors that played a pivotal role in shaping Buddhist philosophical thought: the need to clarify the contents of canonical texts, the discourses of the historical Buddha and the Mahayana sutras; the desire to defend their positions through sophisticated arguments against criticisms from fellow Buddhists and from non-Buddhist thinkers of classical Indian philosophy; and the need to account for insights gained through the application of specific meditative techniques. While the primary focus lies in the period up to the sixth century CE, Westerhoff also delves into the influence of some important thinkers who contributed to Buddhist thought between this time and the decline of Buddhist scholastic philosophy in India at the beginning of the thirteenth century.

Through his historical presentation, Westerhoff aims to offer the reader a deeper and more systematic understanding of key Buddhist concepts such as non-self, suffering, reincarnation, karma, and nirvana. By exploring the rich tapestry of Buddhist philosophy during this period, readers gain a valuable insight into the evolution and development of this profound and influential philosophical tradition.

Weight: 530g
Dimension: 235 x 154 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198878391