Description
Book SynopsisThe doctrine of the two truths - a conventional truth and an ultimate truth - is central to Buddhist metaphysics and epistemology. The two truths (or two realities), the distinction between them, and the relation between them is understood variously in different Buddhist schools; it is of special importance to the Madhyamaka school. One theory is articulated with particular force by Nagarjuna (2nd C CE) who famously claims that the two truths are identical to one another and yet distinct. One of the most influential interpretations of Nagarjuna''s difficult doctrine derives from the commentary of Candrakarti (6th C CE). In view of its special soteriological role, much attention has been devoted to explaining the nature of the ultimate truth; less, however, has been paid to understanding the nature of conventional truth, which is often described as deceptive, illusion, or truth for fools. But because of the close relation between the two truths in Madhyamaka, conventional truth also dem
Trade Reviewa high-quality, engaging work, which is accessible to undergraduates and of interest to specialists. The Cowherds are to be commended for having provided a home on the range for anyonereally, anyoneinterested to understand a philosophically significant, Buddhist approach to the nature of truth. * Jonathan C. Gold, SOPHIA *
Table of ContentsACKNOWLEDGMENTS; PREFACE; GUY NEWLAND AND TOM J F TILLEMANS; JAY L GARFIELD; SONAM THAKCHOE; GUY MARTIN NEWLAND; JAY L GARFIELD AND SONAM THAKCHOE; GEORGES DREYFUS; GEORGES DREYFUS AND JAY L GARFIELD; GRAHAM PRIEST, MARK SIDERITS AND TOM J F TILLEMANS; TOM J F TILLEMANS; MARK SIDERITS; BRONWYN FINNIGAN AND KOJI TANAKA; JAN WESTERHOFF; GRAHAM PRIEST; BRONWYN FINNIGAN AND KOJI TANAKA; REFERENCES AND ABBREVIATIONS; INDEX
