Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies, Vol. Ix (Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies, Vol. 9: Buddhist Philosophy from 350 to 600 A. D.) (Book Review‪)‬

Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies, vol. IX: Buddhist Philosophy from 350 to 600 A.D. Edited by Karl.h Potter. Delhi: MOTILAL BANARSIDASS, 2003. Pp. 762. Rs. 1295. Published in 2003, this is the ninth tome of the Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies edited by Karl H. Potter, and the third of the five volumes dedicated to Buddhist philosophy. The two preceding volumes cover Abhidharma Buddhism up to A.D. 150 (vol. VII, 1996) and Buddhist Philosophy from 100 to 350 (vol. VIII, 1999). Volume X (Buddhist Philosophy from 600 to 750) and volume XI (Buddhist Philosophy from 750 to 1300) are in preparation. The present volume deals with the years 350 to 600, a period that sees an increase of exchange with China and the founding of the great universities of Nalanda and Valabhl. The themes of special importance contained in the works of this period include the development of surveys of Abhidharma notions (by Buddhaghosa, Buddhadatta, Vimalamitra, Yas'omitra), advancements in the logico-epistemological theory and the theory of language (Dignaga), interpretations of Nagarguna's Madhyamika methods (Buddhapalita, Bhavaviveka), the tradition stemming from the Ratnagotravibhaga and its commentaries, and the development of Yogacara thought through commentaries on the works of Vasubandhu (Sthiramati). Like previous volumes of the Encyclopedia, this one consists of 1) an introduction dealing with the historical context and some specific topics of the literature of this period (pp. 19-69), 2) summaries of works of philosophical interest to the period under consideration (pp. 71-619), followed by 3) a glossary-index (pp. 621-762).