Mahāyāna Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations

Chapter 1. Introduction Explains Buddhism as a tradition marked by doctrinal diversity but relative moral unity. Discusses the Indian background, early Buddhist sects, Vinaya traditions, Abhidharma, Mahāsāṃghika ideas, Lokottaravāda, and possible factors behind Mahāyāna development. Examines the origins of Mahāyāna, the role of laity, early Mahāyāna sūtras, and the question of how Mahāyāna texts justified their authority. Chapter 2. The Perfection of Wisdom (Prajñāpāramitā) Sūtras Studies the origins and development of Prajñāpāramitā literature. Explains wisdom, emptiness, absence of self, and the bodhisattva ideal. Chapter 3. Mādhyamika Presents Nāgārjuna, Āryadeva, and the Indian Madhyamaka tradition. Discusses emptiness, intrinsic existence, causation, self, nirvāṇa, two truths, and meditation on emptiness. Chapter 4. Yogācāra Introduces Yogācāra thinkers and texts. Explains the three natures, mind, substratum consciousness, and debates within the Yogācāra school. Chapter 5. The Tathāgatagarbha Examines Buddha-nature sūtras and the Ratnagotravibhāga. Discusses tathāgatagarbha in Tibet and East Asia, including the Dasheng qixinlun, Dōgen, Critical Buddhism, and debates on not-self. Chapter 6. Huayan — The Flower Garland Tradition Introduces Buddhism in China and the Avataṃsaka Sūtra. Explains Huayan thought, Fazang’s “Golden Lion,” Huayan practice, Vairocana, and Buddhist art. Chapter 7. The Saddharmapuṇḍarīka (Lotus) Sūtra and Its Influences Studies the Lotus Sūtra and its impact. Includes Tiantai/Tendai and Nichiren traditions. Chapter 8. On the Bodies of the Buddha Explains Mahāyāna theories of Buddha bodies. Discusses emptiness, Yogācāra developments, the dGe lugs schema, nonabiding nirvāṇa, and the Buddha’s lifespan. Chapter 9. The Path of the Bodhisattva Discusses the spread of Buddhism to Tibet, eighth-century debates, compassion, bodhicitta, bodhisattva stages, paths, and perfections. Chapter 10. Trust, Self-Abandonment and Devotion: The Cults of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas Examines devotional Mahāyāna practice. Covers recollection of the Buddha, Buddha fields, Maitreya, Avalokiteśvara, Tārā, Mañjuśrī, Kṣitigarbha, Akṣobhya, Bhaiṣajyaguru, Amitābha/Amitāyus, Pure Land Buddhism, Hōnen, and Shinran.