From Nothingness To Personhood

July 12, 2003

New Book from Satyaraja! Buddhism from a Vaishnava Perspective!

From Nothingness to Personhood: A Collection of Essays on Buddhism From a Vaishnava Perspective

The first Chapter of From Nothingness to Personhood begins with an assessment of Buddhism's popularity, citing examples of its ardent reception East and West. Satyaraja next offer several possible explanations for this popularity. Having established its wide and enthusiastic acceptance, he gives a brief overview of Buddhist history and tradition, elucidating her various schools of thought and evolution over time. Chapter Two focuses on Lord Buddha's identity who was he really? When we speak of Buddha, are we talking about a name or a title? Is Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of historical Buddhism, the only Buddha, or are there others? More importantly, who is the original Lord Buddha and what did he teach? A discussion of his essential teachings, embodied in his specially formulated mission, brings this chapter to a close revealing truths about his identity and esoteric purpose that have hitherto remained confined to little known Vaishnava texts.

In Chapter Three we discuss the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism philosophical ideas about suffering and how to overcome it. We will show that these ideas are as integral to Vaishnavism as they are to Buddhism, and that both traditions seek to resolve the problem of suffering in similar ways. Next, in two chapters we explore both vegetarianism and reincarnation two philosophical principles that have a complex history in Buddhist thought. Through the centuries, Buddhist schools have either accepted or rejected these two principles, depending on which epoch in world history we are referring to and which faction of Buddhism is being discussed. These chapters analyze why vegetarianism and reincarnation are such volatile subjects in Buddhist tradition, and how Buddhism inherited a respectful place for them from her parent faith, Vaishnavism.

Next, we examine "Buddhist Yoga," that is, Buddhism's use of yogic practices, and how this is based on ancient Indian tradition. Naturally, in any discussion of yoga, seminal texts such as Patanjali's Yoga-sutras and the Bhagavad-gita come into play. Here, we show that the Gita recommends a particular form of yoga-one that is not akin to most forms of Buddhism. In addition, the Gita deemphasizes another, more common form of yoga-one that is unfortunately reminiscent of Buddhist meditational practices in general. We will explain why this is so. After this, in the next chapter, we engage a somewhat lengthy critique of voidism and impersonalism, using both logic and ancient wisdom-texts to underline the limitations of these two philosophical traditions. In addition, we cite Vaishnava scriptures concerning the theological foundations of personalism, showing how it augments voidist and impersonalist perspectives.

In the final chapter, we specifically look at Buddhism in relation to Chaitanya Vaishnavism, the zenith of India's theistic heritage. Sri Chaitanya (1486 -1533 CE) is regarded by the tradition as Krishna Himself in the guise of His own devotee. Thus, His view of Buddhist thought is pivotal in assessing Vaishnava reaction to historical Buddhism. This chapter highlights the interaction of Buddhism and Sri Chaitanya's teachings, where they meet and where they part. We will look at Sri Chaitanya's predecessors, such as Madhva, and see what they had to say about Buddhism, and we will cite historical examples of specific Buddhists who met with Sri Chaitanya Himself. We will also analyze a medieval Vaishnava text, the Chaitanya-charitamrita, in regard to its view of Buddhist teaching, which, again, shows the shortcomings of voidist and impersonalist philosophy. In the end, while maintaining a healthy respect for Lord Buddha, we will see how Buddhist thought might benefit from Vaishnava doctrine, and how knowledge of the predecessor tradition might add light to an already luminous heritage.

Available from "FOLK Books," 30 Village Gate Way, Nyack, NY 10960. Individual copies are US$15.00 post paid. Five or more copies are $10.00 each, post paid.