Indian Madhyamaka Buddhist philosophy after Nagarjuna. Plain English translations and summaries of the essential works of Chandrakirti and Shantideva and two early Madhyamaka critiques of God

This volume continues to trace the development of Madhyamaka Buddhist philosophy in India after its initiator, Nagarjuna. It consists of translations of Sanskrit texts into easily readable English for the general educated public interested in Buddhism or philosophy. Notes and separate Essays dealing with the philosophical content are also included. Presented in this volume are the central philosophical writings of the last two prominent Indian Madhyamikas and two Madhyamaka critiques of the idea of a creator God. Parts of two texts by Chandrakirti are presented: Chapter 6 of Entering the Middle Way (Madhyamakavatara), and core chapters of his Clearly-worded Commentary (Prasannapada) on Nagarjuna’s Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way. Chapters 8 and 9 of Shantideva’s Entering the Bodhisattva’s Path (Bodhicaryavatara) on meditation and wisdom (prajna) and verses from his Collection of the Teachings (Shiksa-samucchaya) follow. The translations conclude with the portions of Bhavaviveka’s Verses on the Heart of the Middle Way (Madhyamakahridayakarikas) on a creator God, and The Refutation of Vishnu as the One Creator (Vishnorekakartritvanirakaranam) attributed to Nagarjuna * * * Richard H. Jones holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University in the history and philosophy of religion and an A.B. from Brown University in religious studies. He also holds a J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley.