The Mind In Early Buddhism

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About the Book

This book is an attempt to comprehend the Buddhist concept of mind (citta in Pali) when sectarianism was not exertive yet n the Pali literature. This book is based for its materials on the Tipitaka whose dating and stratification - especially the Suttapitaka which is most substantial of the Buddhist canonical literature and best able to serve a sense of purity - are examined in view that the earlier a particular text is, the more authentic it should be.

The mind in question is worked upon as a technical term and a concept. Its lexical meanings in general and applied ones in the Buddhist canonical contest are surveyed. How the fundamental and condensed shades of citta figure in the Buddhist system as well as in the contemporary Brahmanic ones is sketched out. With the supplement of lexical elucidation, tabular illustrations and doctrinal relevance the work should virtually exhaust all the cases of conceivable citta in the Suttapitaka and Abhidhammapitaka so long as its literary occurrence is concerned. The matters inherent of psycho-philosophical interest, however, will be elaborated on with further analysis and deeper ideation. This book should be found useful to students and the scholars alike.

About the Author

Bh. Thich Minh Thanh alias Nguyen Van Thuong has devoted himself to monastic life since 1973. He has been member of Dept. of Propagation, and secretary of Dept. of Foreign Affairs, Vietnam Buddhist Sangha since 1991. He took his B.A. From the institute of Higher Buddhist Studies, Ho Chi Minh City in 1988 and got another B.A. from the University of Ho Chi Minh City in 1990. He was awarded a medal by the University of Delhi when he topped in M.A. at 1996. He was also awarded M. Phil. and doctorate degrees in 1997 and 2000 respectively.

CONTENTS

Preface

Chapter 1
Introduction
A. The Term Citta
B. Pre-Buddhist Citta
C. Chronology in the Buddhist Canon

Chapter 2
Chronological Survey of the Nikayas
A. Stratification and Dating of the Dighanikaya
B. Stratification and Dating of the Anguttara and Samyutta Nikayas
C. Stratification and Dating of the Khuddakanikaya

Chapter 3
Citta Conceived through its Ordinary States
1. Citta as General State of Sentient Being
2. Citta as a Lustful Heart
3. Citta as Evil Heart
4. Citta as Purposed Heart

Chapter 4
Citta Conceived through its Elevated States
1. Receptive, Wieldy, Ready for Truth Citta
2. Calmed, Allayed and Passionaless Citta
3. Composed Citta
4. Emancipated Citta

Chapter 5
Citta Origination and Essential Aspects
1. Where does Citta come from?
2. The Psychological Subjectiveness of Citta 3. Citta as 'Ego' being criticized by 'Superego'
4. Citta and Emancipation Citta
6. Citta's Feasibility
7. Citta of Negative Traits
8. The Taming of Citta

Chapter 6
Divisions of Citta in the Abhidhamma
A. Kamavacaranacittas
B. Rupavacaranacittas
C. Arupavacaracittas
D. Lokuttaravacaracittas

Chapter 7
Conclusion
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Bibliography
Index