The Origin of Buddhist Meditation (Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism - Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies)

Wynne, Alexander

ISBN 10: 0415423872 / ISBN 13: 9780415423878

Published by Routledge, 2007

About this Item

Based on the early Brahminic literature, namely the early Upanishads and Moksadharma, this work asserts the origin of the method of meditation learned by the Buddha from the teachers, and attempts to use them to identify some authentic teachings of the Buddha on meditation. Num Pages: 188 pages, black & white illustrations. BIC Classification: HR. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational; (UP) Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly; (UU) Undergraduate. Dimension: 234 x 156 x 16. Weight in Grams: 422. . 2007. 1st Edition. hardcover. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland.

Seller Inventory # V9780415423878

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Origin of Buddhist Meditation (Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism - Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies)
• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication Date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0415423872
• ISBN 13: 9780415423878
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Having identified early material that goes back to the Buddha himself, the author argues that the two teachers of the Buddha were historical figures. Based on the early Brahminic literature, namely the early Upanishads and Moksadharma, the author asserts the origin of the method of meditation learned by the Buddha from these teachers, and attempts to use them to identify some authentic teachings of the Buddha on meditation.

Stimulating debate within the field of Buddhist Studies, the following claims are put forward:

• the Buddha was taught by Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta, as stated in the literature of numerous early Buddhist sects, is historically authentic
• Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta taught a form of early Brahminic meditation
• the Buddha must consequently have been trained in a meditative school whose ideology was provided by the philosophical portions of early Upanishads

Shedding new light on a fascinating aspect of the origins of Buddhism, this book will be of interest to academics in the field of Buddhist studies, Asian religion and South Asian studies.

About the Author

Alexander Wynne is a translator for the Clay Sanskrit Library. He was awarded a DPhil in Oriental Studies from the University of Oxford in 2003 and was a Junior Research Fellow at St John’s College, Oxford, from 2002--2006.