Early Buddhism: A New Approach: The I of the Beholder Paperback – 16 May 2000
by Sue Hamilton-Blyth (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 14 ratings
Part of: Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism (77 books)
New interpretations of the central teachings of early Buddhism, mainly the relationship between identity and perception in early Buddhism.
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Table of Contents
Introduction Sources, Methods and Caveats;
Chapter 1 Setting the Scene: We have no self but we are comprised of five aggregates;
Chapter 2 The Indian Context;
Chapter 3 The Focus on Experience;
Chapter 4 The World of Experience;
Chapter 5 The Experience of Subjectivity and Objectivity;
Chapter 6 The Structure of Experience;
Chapter 7 The Limits of Experience;
Chapter 8 World of Metaphor: Continuity, Death and Ethics; On What is a human being?;
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248 pages
Product description
Review
'A stimulating and challenging discussion of certain aspects of Buddhism. - The Middle Way
'This book contributes significantly to the on-going project of disentangling the teachings of Pali Buddhism. ... Its particular contribution consists in seeking to do this by relating those teachings directly to human subjective experience.' - Journal of Religious History
'A stimulating and challenging discussion of certain aspects of Buddhism. - The Middle Way
'This book contributes significantly to the on-going project of disentangling the teachings of Pali Buddhism.' - Journal of Religious History
248 pages
Product description
Review
'A stimulating and challenging discussion of certain aspects of Buddhism. - The Middle Way
'This book contributes significantly to the on-going project of disentangling the teachings of Pali Buddhism. ... Its particular contribution consists in seeking to do this by relating those teachings directly to human subjective experience.' - Journal of Religious History
'A stimulating and challenging discussion of certain aspects of Buddhism. - The Middle Way
'This book contributes significantly to the on-going project of disentangling the teachings of Pali Buddhism.' - Journal of Religious History
About the Author
Sue Hamilton
Product details
Publisher : Routledge; 1st edition (16 May 2000)
Language : English
Paperback : 248 pages
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 14 ratings
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Friedrich D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Difficult
Reviewed in Germany on 21 April 2017
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but worth reading. Highly recommended for followers who have not been corrupted by the commentary literature and have found joy in the Buddha's Word. It's a shame that the citation information is once again difficult to identify because it's based on the PTS edition.
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Elizabeth A. Gibson
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books ever written on early BuddhismReviewed in the United States on 12 February 2010
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This book is brilliant -- challenging and deeply thoughtful and thought-provoking. Hamilton is an excellent scholar and researcher, of early Buddhist and Indian thought, and of Pali, the language in which the earliest buddhist teachings were written.
What has impressed me most about this book is Hamilton's own very deep thinking on this subject -- how and why did the Buddha say the things he did in the ways he did (as presented in the early Buddhist canon)? Hamilton clears up some fuzzy thinking on a few topics -- chiefly anatta, not-self, and creates a rich, coherent picture of what the Buddha knew and wanted us to know.
This is a fascinating, challenging, and deeply rewarding book. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
16 people found this helpfulReport
thoughtful man
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on discussing the teachings of the BuddhaReviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 February 2011
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This is an excellent book that discusses among other topics; the context, psychology, philosophy and teachings of the Buddha. I found myself drawn into the author's discussions and understanding her many excellent points about the Buddha and his teachings. Much denser but highly readable compared to many introduction books on early Buddhism and the Buddha's teachings. Highly recommend it.
5 people found this helpfulReport
J.Alia
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and insightfulReviewed in the United States on 21 June 2009
Verified Purchase
This book is a huge help for people interested in studying early Pali Buddhism.
Sue Hamilton is both sympathetic toward the subject and does not take difficult points, perhaps resulting from previous misinterpretation, as dogma. Her interpretation and analysis is from the point of view of the Buddha's primary and only goal of helping others reach liberation.
The writing is clever and engaging.
... a truly excellent work!!!
11 people found this helpfulReport
Liz
5.0 out of 5 stars An important bookReviewed in the United States on 27 March 2014
Verified Purchase
This book scrutinises the early Buddhist texts in a way that can have an impact on everyday modern lives. It is difficult reading but well worth persevering. I gained a lot of understanding from it.
Report
Verified Purchase
but worth reading. Highly recommended for followers who have not been corrupted by the commentary literature and have found joy in the Buddha's Word. It's a shame that the citation information is once again difficult to identify because it's based on the PTS edition.
Report
Translate review to English
Elizabeth A. Gibson
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books ever written on early BuddhismReviewed in the United States on 12 February 2010
Verified Purchase
This book is brilliant -- challenging and deeply thoughtful and thought-provoking. Hamilton is an excellent scholar and researcher, of early Buddhist and Indian thought, and of Pali, the language in which the earliest buddhist teachings were written.
What has impressed me most about this book is Hamilton's own very deep thinking on this subject -- how and why did the Buddha say the things he did in the ways he did (as presented in the early Buddhist canon)? Hamilton clears up some fuzzy thinking on a few topics -- chiefly anatta, not-self, and creates a rich, coherent picture of what the Buddha knew and wanted us to know.
This is a fascinating, challenging, and deeply rewarding book. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
16 people found this helpfulReport
thoughtful man
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on discussing the teachings of the BuddhaReviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 February 2011
Verified Purchase
This is an excellent book that discusses among other topics; the context, psychology, philosophy and teachings of the Buddha. I found myself drawn into the author's discussions and understanding her many excellent points about the Buddha and his teachings. Much denser but highly readable compared to many introduction books on early Buddhism and the Buddha's teachings. Highly recommend it.
5 people found this helpfulReport
J.Alia
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and insightfulReviewed in the United States on 21 June 2009
Verified Purchase
This book is a huge help for people interested in studying early Pali Buddhism.
Sue Hamilton is both sympathetic toward the subject and does not take difficult points, perhaps resulting from previous misinterpretation, as dogma. Her interpretation and analysis is from the point of view of the Buddha's primary and only goal of helping others reach liberation.
The writing is clever and engaging.
... a truly excellent work!!!
11 people found this helpfulReport
Liz
5.0 out of 5 stars An important bookReviewed in the United States on 27 March 2014
Verified Purchase
This book scrutinises the early Buddhist texts in a way that can have an impact on everyday modern lives. It is difficult reading but well worth persevering. I gained a lot of understanding from it.
Report
