General Themes of the Indian Philosophical Tradition A Short Account of the Vedas and Upanishads The Philosophy of the Upanishads The Identity of Brahman and Atman
II The Legend and Life of the Buddha
Introduction The Early Life The Four Signs Renunciation
III Reading the Middle Way
Steering the Middle Course A Symbolic Reading Concluding Remarks
IV The First Noble Truth: Three Understandings of Suffering
Introduction Pervasiveness and Eliminability The First Understanding The Second Understanding The Third Understanding The Five Aggregates The Buddha and David Hume Concluding Remarks
V The Second Noble Truth: An Analysis of Craving
Introduction Craving and Permanence Craving and Wanting — A Difference in Kind The Character of Craving — Qualitative Observations The Character of Craving — Formal Observations Criticism of Bahm Self and Suffering
VI The Third Noble Truth: Nirvana, the Cessation of Suffering
Introduction Samsara Understanding and Describing Nirvana
VII The Fourth Noble Truth: Walking the Noble Eightfold Path
Introduction The Noble Eightfold Path More on Mindfulness
VIII The Doctrine of No Self
Introduction The Argument from the Aggregates A Lute, a Chariot and the Composite Self The Argument from Lack of Control
IX The Doctrine of Impermanence
Introduction Arising and Passing Other Views of Change Numerical Identity and Qualitative Identity Annihilationism and Eternalism Concluding Remarks
X The Doctrine of Dependent Origination
Introduction The First Model: Physical Causation The Second Model: Mental Causation without Universal Causation The Third Model: Mental Causation with Universal Causation The Importance of Universal Causation Dependent Origination and Causal Continuity
XI Karma and Rebirth: Continuity, Not Identity
Introduction Karma and Morality Karma and Rebirth Continuity of Self over Time, Not Identity
XII The Concept of Dharmas in the Abhidharma
The Abhidharma, the Dharma, and Dharmas Dharmas and Atoms Dharmas as Ultimate Reality Dharmas and Mindfulness What Is the Duration of a Dharma?
XIII The Concept of Emptiness in Mahayana Buddhism
Introduction to Mahayana Buddhism The Perfection of Wisdom and Emptiness Emptiness and Dependent Origination Emptiness and Non-Duality Emptiness and Enlightenment
XIV Compassion and Skillfulness in Mahayana Buddhism
Introduction The Bodhisattva The Bodhisattva Renounces Compassion and Suffering Genuine Compassion Skillful Means, the Arhat and the Bodhisattva An Emphasis on Practice over Belief
XV The Parable of the Burning House — A Closing Discussion
Glossary of Select Sanskrit, Pali and PhilosophicalTerms Bibliography Index