The Selfless Mind: Personality, Consciousness and Nirvana in Early Buddhism (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780700703388)

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.

Author: Peter Harvey
ISBN-10: 0700703381
ISBN-13: 9780700703388
Publisher: Routledge
Language: English
Published: 09/28/1995
Pages: 304
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.77lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.42w x 0.18d