The Buddhist Theory of Self-Cognition

This highly original work explores the concept of self-awareness or self-consciousness in Buddhist thought. Its central thesis is that the Buddhist theory of self-cognition originated in a soteriological discussion of omniscience among the Mahasamghikas, and then evolved into a topic of epistemological inquiry among the Yogacarins. To illustrate this central theme, this book explores a large body of primary sources in Chinese, Pali, Sanskrit and Tibetan, most of which are presented to an English readership for the first time. It makes available important resources for the study of the Buddhist philosophy of mind.

Zhihua Yao received his PhD from Boston University. He is Research Assistant Professor at the Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong. He specializes in Buddhist Philosophy and Philosophy of Religion.

Preface  List of Figures  List of Abbreviations  1. Introduction  2. Origin: Mahasa Ghika  3. Refutation: Sarvastivada  4. Synthesis: Sautrantika  5. Systematization: Yogacara  6. Conclusion: Knowing That One Knows  Appendix. A List of the Dates of Major Indian Authors  Bibliography