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Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism

About the Book Series

Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism is a comprehensive study of the Buddhist tradition. The series explores this complex and extensive tradition from a variety of perspectives, using a range of different methodologies. The series is diverse in its focus, including historical, philological, cultural, and sociological investigations into the manifold features and expressions of Buddhism worldwide. It also presents works of constructive and reflective analysis, including the role of Buddhist thought and scholarship in a contemporary, critical context and in the light of current social issues. The series is expansive and imaginative in scope, spanning more than two and a half millennia of Buddhist history. It is receptive to all research works that are of significance and interest to the broader field of Buddhist Studies.

Some of the titles in the series are published in association with the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies, which conducts and promotes rigorous teaching and research into all forms of the Buddhist tradition.

Editorial Advisory Board:
James A. Benn, McMaster University, Canada

Rupert Gethin, University of Bristol, UK

Peter Harvey, University of Sunderland, UK

Sallie King, James Madison University, USA

Anne Klein, Rice University, USA

Lori Meeks, University of Southern California, USA;

Ulrich Pagel, School of Oriental and African Studies, UK

John Powers, Australian National University, Australia;

Juliane Schober, Arizona State University, USA

Vesna A. Wallace, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA

Michael Zimmermann, University of Hamburg, Germany

69 Series Titles


The Refutation of the Self in Indian Buddhism Candrakīrti on the Selflessness of Persons

The Refutation of the Self in Indian Buddhism: Candrakīrti on the Selflessness of Persons

1st Edition

By James Duerlinger
May 18, 2017

Since the Buddha did not fully explain the theory of persons that underlies his teaching, in later centuries a number of different interpretations were developed. This book presents the interpretation by the celebrated Indian Buddhist philosopher, Candrakīrti (ca. 570–650 C.E.). Candrakīrti’s ...

The Reflexive Nature of Awareness A Tibetan Madhyamaka Defence

The Reflexive Nature of Awareness: A Tibetan Madhyamaka Defence

1st Edition

By Paul Williams
May 13, 2016

Places the controversy initiated by the Tibetan Tsong kha pa - who elaborated on one of the eight difficult points in understanding Madhyamaka philosophy - in its Indian and Tibetan context....

A Survey of Vinaya Literature

A Survey of Vinaya Literature

1st Edition

By Charles S. Prebish
February 29, 2016

The most important research tool for vinaya studies. Covers both primary and secondary sources in Sanskrit, Pali, Tibetan, and Chinese as well as modern sources in English, French, German and Japanese....

Buddhism and Human Rights

Buddhism and Human Rights

1st Edition

By Wayne R. Husted, Damien Keown
June 08, 2015

It is difficult to think of a more urgent question for Buddhism in the late twentieth century than human rights. The political, ethical and philosophical questions surrounding human rights are debated vigorously in political and intellectual circles throughout the world and now in this volume....

Buddhism in Australia Traditions in Change

Buddhism in Australia: Traditions in Change

1st Edition

Edited By Cristina Rocha, Michelle Barker
May 21, 2015

The number of Buddhists in Australia has grown dramatically in recent years. In 2006, Buddhists accounted for 2.1 per cent of Australia's population, almost doubling the 1996 figures, and making it the fastest growing religion in the country. This book analyses the arrival and localisation of ...

Altruism and Reality Studies in the Philosophy of the Bodhicaryavatara

Altruism and Reality: Studies in the Philosophy of the Bodhicaryavatara

1st Edition

By Paul Williams
March 31, 2015

Brings together Paul Williams' previously published papers on the Indian and Tibetan interpretations of selected verses from the eighth and ninth chapters of the Bodhicaryavatara....

Developments in Australian Buddhism Facets of the Diamond

Developments in Australian Buddhism: Facets of the Diamond

1st Edition

By Michelle Spuler
February 27, 2015

This book examines the adaptation of Buddhism to the Australian sociocultural context. To gain insight into this process of cross-cultural adaptation, issues arising in the development of Diamond Sangha Zen Buddhist groups (one of the largest Zen lineages in the West) in Australia are ...

Pain and Its Ending The Four Noble Truths in the Theravada Buddhist Canon

Pain and Its Ending: The Four Noble Truths in the Theravada Buddhist Canon

1st Edition

By Carol Anderson
February 27, 2015

Demonstrates how the four noble truths are used thorughout the Pali canon as a symbol of Buddha's enlightenment and as a doctrine within a larger network of Buddha's teachings. Their unique nature rests in their function as a proposition and as a symbol in the Theravada canon....

The Glorious Deeds of Purna A Translation and Study of the Purnavadana

The Glorious Deeds of Purna: A Translation and Study of the Purnavadana

1st Edition

By Joel Tatelman
February 27, 2015

By providing an annotated translation of, and applying the methods of literary criticism to, a first-century account of the life of the saint Purna, this study introduces the reader to the richness and complexity of an essential Buddhist genre....

Emptiness Appraised A Critical Study of Nagarjuna's Philosophy

Emptiness Appraised: A Critical Study of Nagarjuna's Philosophy

1st Edition

By David F. Burton
November 10, 2014

Emptiness means that all entities are empty of, or lack, inherent existence - entities have a merely conceptual, constructed existence. Though Nagarjuna advocates the Middle Way, his philosophy of emptiness nevertheless entails nihilism, and his critiques of the Nyaya theory of knowledge are shown ...

Women in the Footsteps of the Buddha Struggle for Liberation in the Therigatha

Women in the Footsteps of the Buddha: Struggle for Liberation in the Therigatha

1st Edition

By Kathryn R. Blackstone
May 16, 2014

A detailed exploration of the quest for liberation on the part of the early bhikkunis. Only text in the Buddhist tradition of known female authorship. Important to anyone investigating women's own perspective on their religion. Also provides a clear statement about how renunciants understand ...

Tibetan and Zen Buddhism in Britain Transplantation, Development and Adaptation

Tibetan and Zen Buddhism in Britain: Transplantation, Development and Adaptation

1st Edition

By David N Kay
March 31, 2014

This book analyses the transplantation, development and adaptation of the two largest Tibetan and Zen Buddhist organizations currently active on the British religious landscape: the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT) and the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives (OBC). The key contributions of recent ...

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