Philosophy of Universal Flux in Theravada Buddhism

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Philosophy of Universal Flux in Theravada Buddhism is a new subject in the field of Buddhist Studies and much has not been written on it. It is a study of flux from the materials in the Pali Nikayas. This book disscuses analytically the Buddhist concepts of Citta, Cetasika, Rupa, Paticcsamup pada, Soul Theory of Vatsiputriyas and Theory of Momentariness. The author has discussed these concepts from a new point of view. The author has not only used exhaustively all the literary and epigraphic sources available on the subject but has also analyzed them in a scholarly manner.

Dr. Indra Naram Singh obtained his doctorate on A Study of Universal Flux in Theravada Buddhism from University of Delhi in 1994. He has been working in the Department of Buddhist Studies, Delhi University as a Senior Lecturer since 1996.

Dr. I. N. Singh has published over half a dozen articles in various journals and books. He has also edited The Journal of Buddhist Studies, yearly research journal of the Department of Buddhist Studies, vol. xx, Dec. 2000.

The present book 'Philosophy of Universal Flux in Theravada Buddhism' is an attempt ot present the investigative research regarding various facets of the problem of Impermanence. This work is substantially based on my Ph.D. thesis.

According to Lord the the Buddha the whole world whether subject to incessant changes; it is state of flux. Everything in this world is material; or immaterial, is impermanent and is constantly changing. That is: "Sabbe Sankhara Anicca and Anicca Vata Sankhara". Both these statements tantamount to saying that all conditioned things are phemomernal process, mental as well as material, that go to make up Samasaric plane of existence, are transient or impermanent.

In this work several subtle problems linked to the theory of impermanence have been discussed. For instance, what is the nature of impermanence? How it has been defined by the various schools of Buddhism, including as to whether everything could be said to be impermanent? An effort has been made in this book to relate the common varying points of the theory of Impermanence as defined by the various Buddhist schools of thought. Further, I have also probed the relation of the theory of impermanence with two other theories of Dukkha and Anatta. After having probed and discussed these problems, we have tried to determine the place of impermanence, vis-a-vis the three characteristic of this Samsara i.e. Anicca, Dukka and Anatta. And finally, if everything is impermanent then how and why one can aspire for the achievement of Nibbana?

Keeping all these questions in mind the present work proceeds with an introduction in which all the above problems have received a focus and have been adequately dealt with. Thereupon the present work is divided into eight chapters.