The Philosophy of Desire in the Buddhist Pali Canon

David Webster

Psychology Press, 2005 - History - 267 pages

David Webster explores the notion of desire as found in the Buddhist Pali Canon. Beginning by addressing the idea of a 'paradox of desire', whereby we must desire to end desire, the varieties of desire that are articulated in the Pali texts are examined. A range of views of desire, as found in Western thought, are presented as well as Hindu and Jain approaches. An exploration of the concept of ditthi(view or opinion) is also provided, exploring the way in which 'holding views' can be seen as analogous to the process of desiring. Other subjects investigated include the mind-body relationship, the range of Pali terms for desire, and desire's positive spiritual value. A comparative exploration of the various approaches completes the work.

What people are saying

User Review -

about difference in desire

Contents

• The paradox of desire: 2
• Scope of this study: 8
• desire and the transformation of living: 11
• sources and textual issues: 16
• Desire in nonBuddhist Indian religion: 49
• Desire as the enemy of the spiritual: 57
• Desire in the Bhagavad Gītā: 70
• the Kāma Sūtra: 76
• Conclusion: 86
• the dynamics of desire: 143
• Desire and paticcasamuppāda: 151
• The mindbody relationship: 158
• a structural analogy?: 165
• Noview or rightview?: 171
• A paradox of views?: 179
• Introduction: 187
• challenging a bipolar distinction: 193
• seeking the end of the world?: 199
• Glossary: 206
• Bibliography: 255
• Index: 263

About the author

David Webster is Lecturer in Religious Studies at the University of Gloucestershire.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Philosophy of Desire in the Buddhist Pali Canon; RoutledgeCurzon critical studies in Buddhism; Issue 1 of RoutledgeCurzon critical studies in Buddhism: Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies series
• Author: David Webster
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Psychology Press, 2005
• ISBN: 0415346525, 9780415346528
• Length: 267 pages
• Subjects: History / Asia / General; Philosophy / Buddhist; Religion / Buddhism / General