Book Description

The philosophically and psychologically important Kalakarama Sutta brings out some striking features of the epistemology of early Buddhism. As a prologue and as a framework for discussion of his exposition of the discourse, the author gives the simile of the “magic-show” to show the illusory nature of consciousness in the context of doctrinal categories such as the five aggregates. Throughout the exposition similes and analogies, both canonical and modern, and quotations from other discourses are given to illustrate and explain the relevant facts. The author, Bhikkhu Nyanananda, is a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk well known for his knowledge of Buddhist and Western philosophy. Before his ordination he was an assistant lecturer in Pali at the University of Peradeniya. Since entering the Buddhist Order in 1969 he has resided mostly in meditation hermitages.