The Selfless Mind (Paperback)
- Personality, Consciousness and Nirvana in Early Buddhism

Beskrivelser af The Selfless Mind

Forlagets beskrivelse

This analysis of early Buddhist thought discusses a perspective where no permanent idea of the "Self" is accepted. Instead, the idea of the changing and potent mental processes is developed. The text explores issues relating to the not-Self teaching.

Bibliotekernes beskrivelse

This careful analysis of early Buddhist thought opens out a perspective in which no permanent Self is accepted, but a rich analysis of changing and potent mental processes is developed. It explores issues relating to the not-Self teaching: self-development, moral responsibility, the between-lives period, and the 'undetermined questions' on the world, on the 'life principle' and on the liberated one after death. It examines the 'person' as a flowing continuity centred on consciousness or discernment (vinnana) configured in changing minds-sets (cittas). The resting state of this is seen as 'brightly shining' - like the 'Buddha nature' of Mahayana thought - so as to represent the potential for Nirvana. Nirvana is then shown to be a state in which consciousness transcends all objects, and thus participates in a timeless, unconditioned realm.