Essentials of Buddhism

Chapter One
1. The Buddha in the Pali Canon
Renunciation, Self-Mortification & Enlightenment
The Buddha’s Mission
Salient Features of the Theravada Concept of the Buddha

Chapter Two
2. Impermanence as a Basic Fact of Existence
Arguments Adduced in the Anattalakkhaõa-sutta
Empirical Observation of Facts
Etymological & Doctrinal Meaning of the Term ‘anicca’
Impermanence: the Nature of all Component Things
Is Consciousness Soul?

Chapter Three
3. The Concept of Dukkha in Early Buddhist Teaching
The Etymological Definition & the Exegesis
Physiological, Psychological & Doctrinal Applications of the Term
Three Kinds of Feeling
Different Kinds of Happiness

Chapter Four
4. The Theory of Egolessness (anatta) in Early Buddhism
Monism in Indian Philosophy
The Buddhist Criticism of the Theory of Ego
Five Aggregates are Conditioned
Doctrine of Egolessness as via Media
Body and Mind are Devoid of Ego
Ignorant Worldlings Seek Ego in Individual Factors of Five Aggregates 46
The Totality of Five Aggregates is not Ego
The World is Empty of an Ego
Consciousness is Egoless

Chapter Five
5. The First Noble Truth: Suffering (dukkha sacca)
The Two Extremes are to be Avoided by a Truth-Seeker
Why are They Called ‘Noble’ & ‘Truths’?
The Dhamma is Compared to Medicine
The Therapeutic Approach
Is Buddhism Pessimistic?

Chapter Six
6. The Second Noble Truth: Cause of Suffering (dukkhasamudaya sacca)
English & Pali Synonyms for Craving
Threefold Craving in Relation to Six Senses & Six Sense Objects
Craving as a Multi-Significant Term in Buddhist Doctrine
The Threefold Craving
Craving as the Origin of Personality & Suffering

Chapter Seven
7. The Third Noble Truth: Cessation of Suffering (dukkhanirodha sacca)
Nibbàna as the Cessation of Suffering
Nibbàna as Indefinable in Terms of Logic & Reasoning
Nibbàna in Negative Perspective
Nibbàna in Positive or Conventional Perspective
Sopàdisesa & Anupàdisesa Nibbàna
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Chapter Twenty-One