Synopses & Reviews
Accessible to today’s readers, this anthology of readings is a survey of Asian thought–in India and China. It strikes a balance between major and minor figures, and features the best available translations of texts–complete works or complete sections of works–which are both central to each thinker or school and are widely accepted to be part of the emerging Asian canon.
Introductions to each historical period and to each thinker, photographs, and a timeline help to keep learners focused throughout.
For individuals interested in learning about World Religions, Asian thought, or Chinese and Indian philosophy.
Table of Contents
Timeline
I: INDIAN THOUGHT.
1: Vedic Origins.
Upanishads: Portions of Brihadaranyaka, Chandogya, and Taittiriya, and the complete text of Aitareya, Kena, Katha, Isha, Shvetashvatara, Mundaka, Prashna, and Mandukya.
2: Heterodox Alternatives.
Dhammapada : Complete. The Diamond Sutra: Complete. Vasubandhu, The Thirty Verses on the Mind-Only Doctrine: Complete.
3: Orthodox Perspectives.
The Bhagavad Gita : Complete. Patanjali, The Yoga Sutras: Complete. Sankara, A Thousand Teachings: Part I (metrical part): Complete.
4: Western Encounters.
Aurobindo, The Supramental Manifestation Upon Earth: Complete. Gandhi, Selections.
II: CHINESE THOUGHT .
5: Confucian Origins.
Confucius, Analects: Complete. Mencius, The Book of Mencius: Book I, Part A and Book VI, Part A.
6: Taoist Alternatives.
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching: Complete. Chuang Tzu, The Book of Chuang Tzu: Seven Inner Chapters.
7: Buddhist Innovations.
The Awakening of Faith : Complete. Hui-neng, Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch (1-37). Fa-tsang, On the Golden Lion: Complete.
8: Neo-Confucian Syntheses.
Chu Hsi: Selections. Wang Yang-ming, Inquiry on the Great Learning: Complete.
9: Western Encounters.
Lin Yutang, The Importance of Living: Selections. Mao Tsetung, On Practice: Complete. Mao Tsetung, On Contradiction: Complete.