Awakening : An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought

For introductory courses in Asian Philosophy and Asian Religions, and a supplement for courses in World Religions, Comparative Religions, Comparative Philosophy, and Asian History. This text provides the historical development of the major Eastern traditions of religious and philosophical thought. The text is chronological and is filled with anecdotes, analogies, definitions, comparisons, and supporting quotes from primary and secondary sources.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION We humans struggle to make sense out of a world that often seems chaotic and meaningless. In every age men and women--at least some men and women--have sought to go beyond the appearances of everyday life and discover a transcendent truth in which reality is seen as it really is. Such an experience is often called "awakening"--it is the opening of consciousness to the light of perfect understanding. This great quest has been an important part of the history of both East and West, and in both worlds much attention has been given to uncovering a fundamental principle of unity that underlies the manifold expressions of nature. There has, however, been a difference in emphasis. Speaking very broadly, the West has emphasized the rational and scientific approach, whereas the East, again speaking very broadly, has tended to emphasize the introspective approach, an intuitive opening of consciousness that goes beyond the limits of the rational mind. Such a state of consciousness, in which the underlying oneness of Being is personally experienced, is known as the "unitive state." The search for a way of life that will result in this kind of awakening is at the heart of the history of Eastern thought. This book tells the story of that search. It is a search that unfolds slowly over nearly four millennia. And, of course, it is still unfolding today; the present age is merely the cutting edge. There is something especially exciting about the present age, though. As the global village takes form, the traditions of East and West are coming together. Who can imagine what wondrous offspring may result from this marriage? The evolution of Eastern thought grows from many roots. Those of India and China are especially strong and deep, reaching back before the beginnings of recorded history. We will take up this study at the source of the tradition, in India. It is appropriate to begin in India because so much of the spiritual and philosophical foundation of Eastern thought is to be found there. And, it was out of the amazingly fertile Hindu tradition that Buddhism was born. From India, Buddhism would spread to all parts of the Eastern world, sometimes merging with other evolving traditions to create new directions of growth. In China, Buddhism would confront the already established traditions of Confucianism and Daoism, and in Japan, the ancient tradition of Shinto. These too are important parts of this study. The history of the development of Eastern thought is far too vast to be reduced to the pages of any single volume. The purpose of this work, therefore, is not to tell everything; that would be impossible. Rather, in this book my primary aim is to help you form a comprehensive overview of the subject, a "Big Picture." In the pages that follow I will introduce you to this important part of the story of humankind's search for awakening. It is my goal to include all that is essential to a broad understanding of the subject and to clarify all major concepts no matter how complex they may be, in a way that is clear and engaging. It is my deepest hope that you, the reader, will come away from this book hungry for more, and that you will choose to become a lifelong student of this fascinating subject. PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION In recent years the study of Eastern philosophical and spiritual traditions has become a very active field. Ongoing research is constantly generating new interpretations and understandings. And, my own involvement in the field has continued to grow as well. Out of this, a new edition ofAwakeninghas emerged. It improves on the original by having a more accessible overall organization, by incorporating up-to-date scholarship, and by the addition of an expanded treatment of several topics, including the subject of Tantra, which encompasses a whole new section in this edition. In addition, I have used only my own photo