The Vagrant Lotus: An Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy

Synopsis
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Synopsis

The author begins by giving the life of Buddha and the central elements in the Buddha myths, especially the Four Noble Truths. He outlines the history og Buddhism with special emphasis on the great schism from which the present Theravada and Mahayana wings emerge. He analyzes Buddhism as both a religion and a philosophy. Then comes the heart of the book - an analysis of Theravada (its concepts, their relation to the religious goals of Buddhism, and their effect on value theory) as compared to Mahayana (the development of an Absolutism, the origin of "evil," especially in the forms of suffering and delusion; and the implications for value theory of the new Absolutism). Next the author analyzes the nature and meaning of human existence and the culminating idea of Nirvana. In the final chapter, ethics become the main theme, as Dr. Fox discusses the ideal person, and the way of deliverance from the human dilemma of existence.