Extreme scepticism about the study of early Buddhism is common in Buddhist Studies. Sometimes it is even claimed that the Buddha never existed; myth is all we have. Going against this view, this paper shows that early Buddhist discourses are largely authentic, and can be regarded as a reasonably accurate historical witness. Special attention is paid to the personality of the Buddha, and the way in which his idiosyncrasies flow into the teachings. The resulting ‘Dharma’ has a very particular character, and should be regarded as a singular creation which could not have been invented by a committee.
目次
1. what is prood? 100 2. Buddhsit texts, Buddhist myth 106 3. the information of the Tipitaka 109 4. stones and bones 112 a) the Sanchi relics 112 b) the Piprahwa relics 113 c) the Deorkothar inscription 114
5. a pre-imperial world 116 6. early Buddhist realism, or what committees do not invent 120 7. mythic elaboration: the first sermon and the five disciples 123 8. the idiosyncratic Buddha 126 9. the silent Buddha 128 10. pragmatism and metaphysical reticence 131 a) unanswered questions 131 b) the not-self teaching 133
11. like a flame gone out 135 12. the big picture 139 13. fear and loathing in Buddhist studies 142
