CONTENTS
List of Illustrations vii
Foreword ix
Preface xi
The Buddha xv
CHAPTER I
The Buddhist Attitude of Mind
Man is supreme—One is one's refuge—Responsibility—Doubt—Freedom of Thought—Tolerance—Is Buddhism Religion or Philosophy?—Truth has no label—No blind faith or belief, but seeing and understanding—No attachment even to Truth—Parable of the raft—Imaginary speculations useless—Practical attitude—Parable of the wounded man 1
THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
CHAPTER II
The First Noble Truth: Dukkha
Buddhism neither pessimistic nor optimistic, but realistic—Meaning of 'Dukkha'—Three aspects of experience—Three aspects of 'Dukkha'—What is a 'being'?—Five Aggregates—No spirit opposed to matter—Flux—Thinker and Thought—Has life a beginning? 16
CHAPTER III
The Second Noble Truth: Samudaya: 'The Arising of Dukkha'—Definition—Four Nutriments—Root cause of suffering and continuity Nature of arising and cessation—Karma and Rebirth—What is death?—What is rebirth? 29
CHAPTER IV
The Third Noble Truth: Nirodha: 'The Cessation of Dukkha'—What is Nirvana?—Language and Absolute Truth—Definitions of Nirvana Nirvana not negative—Nirvana as Absolute Truth—What is Absolute Truth?—Truth is not negative—Nirvana and Samsara—Nirvana not a result—What is there after Nirvana?—Incorrect expressions—What happens to an Arahant after death?—If no Self, who realizes Nirvana?—Nirvana in this life 35
CHAPTER V
The Fourth Noble Truth: Magga: 'The Path'
Middle Path or Noble Eightfold Path—Compassion and Wisdom—Ethical Conduct—Mental Discipline—Wisdom—Two sorts of Understanding—Four Functions regarding the Four Noble Truths 45
Middle Path or Noble Eightfold Path—Compassion and Wisdom—Ethical Conduct—Mental Discipline—Wisdom—Two sorts of Understanding—Four Functions regarding the Four Noble Truths 45
CHAPTER VI
The Doctrine of No-Soul: Anatta
What is Soul or Self?—God and Soul: Self protection and Self-preservation—Teaching 'Against the Current'—Analytical and Synthetical methods—Conditioned Genesis—Question of Free-will—Two kinds of Truths—Some erroneous views—The Buddha definitely denies 'Atman'—The Buddha's silence—The idea of Self a vague impression—Correct attitude—If no Self, who gets the result of Karma?—Doctrine of Anatta not negative 51
What is Soul or Self?—God and Soul: Self protection and Self-preservation—Teaching 'Against the Current'—Analytical and Synthetical methods—Conditioned Genesis—Question of Free-will—Two kinds of Truths—Some erroneous views—The Buddha definitely denies 'Atman'—The Buddha's silence—The idea of Self a vague impression—Correct attitude—If no Self, who gets the result of Karma?—Doctrine of Anatta not negative 51
CHAPTER VII
'Meditation' or Mental Culture: Bhavana
Erroneous views—Meditation is no escape from life—Two forms of Meditation—The Setting-up of Mindfulness—'Meditation' on breathing—Mindfulness of activities—Living in the present moment—'Meditation' on Sensations—on Mind—on Ethical, Spiritual and Intellectual subjects 67
Erroneous views—Meditation is no escape from life—Two forms of Meditation—The Setting-up of Mindfulness—'Meditation' on breathing—Mindfulness of activities—Living in the present moment—'Meditation' on Sensations—on Mind—on Ethical, Spiritual and Intellectual subjects 67
CHAPTER VIII
What the Buddha Taught and the World Today
Erroneous views—Buddhism for all—In daily life—Family and social life—Lay life held in high esteem—How to become a Buddhist—Social and economic problems—Poverty: cause of crime—Material and spiritual progress—Four kinds of happiness for laymen—On politics, war and peace—Non-violence—The ten duties of a ruler—The Buddha's Message—Is it practical?—Asoka's Example-The Aim of Buddhism 76
Erroneous views—Buddhism for all—In daily life—Family and social life—Lay life held in high esteem—How to become a Buddhist—Social and economic problems—Poverty: cause of crime—Material and spiritual progress—Four kinds of happiness for laymen—On politics, war and peace—Non-violence—The ten duties of a ruler—The Buddha's Message—Is it practical?—Asoka's Example-The Aim of Buddhism 76
SELECTED TEXTS
Setting in Motion the Wheel of Truth (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) 92
The Fire Sermon (Adittapariyaya Sutta) 95
Universal Love (Metta Sutta) 97
Blessings (Mangala Sutta) 98
Getting rid of All Cares and Troubles (Sabbasava Sutta) 99
The Parable of the Piece of Cloth (Vatthupama Sutta) 106
The Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipatthana Sutta) 109
Advice to Sigala (Sigalovada Sutta) 119
The Words of Truth (Dhammapada) 125
The Last Words of the Buddha (from the Mahaparinibbana Sutta) 136
Abbreviations 139
Selected Bibliography 140
Glossary 142
Index 148
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