Encyclopaedia of Buddhism: A World Faith, Volume 9: The Middle Path

The introductory chapter begins with the Four Noble Truths and explains suffering (duḥkha), its causal basis, its cessation, and the path leading to cessation. It then presents the Middle Path as the Buddha’s rejection of both indulgence and renunciation carried to extremes. The Noble Eightfold Path is discussed through right knowledge, resolve, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration. Nirvāṇa is presented as the final goal, while dependent origination provides the causal structure explaining the arising and cessation of suffering.

The introduction also develops pratītyasamutpāda through the twelve links, discusses its relationship with impermanence and conditionality, and brings this doctrine into dialogue with Madhyamaka interpretations of emptiness and intrinsic existence. The chapter therefore establishes the conceptual framework for the remainder of the volume: the Middle Path is simultaneously ethical discipline, meditative practice, causal analysis, philosophical method, and the path toward Nirvāṇa.

• Table of Contents:

1. Introduction

2. A Revolutionary Concept of Socio Spiritual Engineering

3. Advent of Socialism

4. Agenda 2000: Integration of Science and Spiritual Wisdom

5. Austerity to Eternal Life

6. Beyond Time and Space

7. Buddha in the Making

8. Buddha the Enlightened

9. Buddha, the Reformist

10. Desire: The Seed of Mind

11. Dhamma & Dhammapada

12. Edifice of Buddhism

13. Evolution of Consciousness

14. Four Purusharthas

15. Globally Accepted Ethics

16. God: The Uncaused Cause of Creation

17. Harmonious World Community

18. Himalayas, The Sangam Sthal

19. Interdependence

20. Kalachakra for World Peace

21. Lotus Sutra

22. Madhyamaka Has Soteriological Orientation

23. Mind the Interrelatedness of Thoughts

24. Moral Values & Pure Senses

25. Re-incarnation, Re-birth & Transmigration

26. The Self and Selflessness

27. Sunyata is Buddha

28. The Jataka Myth & Legend

29. Life After Death

30. The Middle Path, Sustainable Development

31. The Suffering

32. Truth in Mahayana

33. Vedic Tradition

34. Vipassana: Buddhas Variegated Contribution

    Bibliography

    Appendix I: Nāgārjuna’s Letter to King Gautamiputra

    Appendix II: Mūlamadhyamakakārikā Sanskrit (Roman English) & English

    Index