Origin and Transformation: Early Buddhist Studies in India: Early Buddhist Studies in India

Author: Fang Guangxun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: History has long shown that the development and propagation of Buddhism cannot transcend the cultural, intellectual, political, economic, and academic contexts of its time. Although 20th-century Chinese Buddhism faced significant impacts from Western culture, as well as political and economic changes, it ultimately survived the challenges of the century with the care, support, and efforts of a group of eminent monks, generous donors, and concerned members of society. It is now moving along a healthier path. Early Indian Buddhism is the foundation of all Indian Buddhism and the foundation of all Buddhism. This book offers insightful and unique analyses and elaborations on the dating and periodization of early Buddhism, its origins, its philosophy, the Five Skandhas and Anatta (no-self) in early Buddhism, its concept of the soul and its influence on later traditions, the meditation practices of early Buddhism, and Buddhist models of time, space, and the world.