Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Classical Indian Buddhist Philosophy |
Editors | Robert Repino |
Place of Publication | Online |
Publisher | Oxford Bibliography Online |
Pages | 1 |
Volume | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 2010 |
Abstract
Classical Indian Buddhist philosophy encompasses a vast range of thinkers, schools, and issues. One important tradition is abhidharma (higher doctrine), a scholastic philosophy that examined key elements of Buddhist teaching and developed often elaborate and highly detailed analyses of the psycho-physical elements of existence. Early Buddhism is commonly divided into eighteen philosophical schoolsincluding such influential traditions as SarvÄstivÄda, VaibhÄá¹£ika, SautrÄntika, SthaviravÄda, MahÄsÄṃghika, and so forththough more are actually mentioned in Indic sources. Each of these developed its own distinctive philosophical system and engaged in debate with both Buddhist and non-Buddhist rivals. With the rise of Mahayana, new philosophical systemsincluding the Middle Way school (MÄdhyamika), the Yogic Practice school (YogÄcÄra), and the Epistemological school (PramÄṇa)developed. Tantric Buddhism added a new stream of philosophical thought that developed the conceptual implications of tantric scriptural texts.