Buddhist Psychology : An Inquiry into the Analysis and Theory of Mind in Pali Literature
One of the most marked signs of the times is the close attention that is being
paid to psychological research, the results of which are being followed with
the greatest interest by an intelligent public, and the continued advanced of
which promises to be one of the most hopeful activities of modern science.
The observation, analysis, and classification of mental phenomena are being
pursued with untiring energy, and the problems of mind attacked on all side
with refreshing vigour. In brief, the new science of psychology seems to
promise at no distant date to become one of the most fruitful, if not the most
fruitful, field of human tillage. But turn where we will to our manuals or
special studies, we find no reference to the patient work of many centuries
accomplished by the introspective genius of the East. In this field none have
laboured with greater industry and acumen than the Buddhist thinkers, whose
whole philosophy and therewith also their religion rests on a psychological
basis. Not only so, but some of their main contentions are very similar to the
later views advanced by the dominant schools of modern research. The work
of these profound analysts of the nature of mind should, therefore, by no
means be neglected by modern psychologists and those who are interested in
their instructive labours –and who that desires to know himself can fail to be
so interested? It must, however, be admitted that there is some excuse for
previous neglect owing to the lack of books designed to smooth the way for
those unacquainted with Oriental studies. It is with the hope of making a start
in this direction that the present valuable introduction has been secured from
the pen of one who is acknowledged to be the most competent student of the
subject in the West.
paid to psychological research, the results of which are being followed with
the greatest interest by an intelligent public, and the continued advanced of
which promises to be one of the most hopeful activities of modern science.
The observation, analysis, and classification of mental phenomena are being
pursued with untiring energy, and the problems of mind attacked on all side
with refreshing vigour. In brief, the new science of psychology seems to
promise at no distant date to become one of the most fruitful, if not the most
fruitful, field of human tillage. But turn where we will to our manuals or
special studies, we find no reference to the patient work of many centuries
accomplished by the introspective genius of the East. In this field none have
laboured with greater industry and acumen than the Buddhist thinkers, whose
whole philosophy and therewith also their religion rests on a psychological
basis. Not only so, but some of their main contentions are very similar to the
later views advanced by the dominant schools of modern research. The work
of these profound analysts of the nature of mind should, therefore, by no
means be neglected by modern psychologists and those who are interested in
their instructive labours –and who that desires to know himself can fail to be
so interested? It must, however, be admitted that there is some excuse for
previous neglect owing to the lack of books designed to smooth the way for
those unacquainted with Oriental studies. It is with the hope of making a start
in this direction that the present valuable introduction has been secured from
the pen of one who is acknowledged to be the most competent student of the
subject in the West.
