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90
Review
Buddha is nothing else but the same Ātman described by the Upanişads. Dharma to him is Reality (Satyam) itself in a dynamic form, regulating the course of nature like the Brahman or Ātman of the Upanisads, which is the basis of all. It is described by the Buddha as an unborn, unmade, non-becoming and up-compounded (Ajātam, Akstam, Abhūtam and Asamskrtam). Like Upanişadic seers he calls Reality as immortal or Amtam. "The gates of Immortality are opened for all" ...(Mahāvagga-1-1-7). The Reality or Ātman of the Upanisads is called by Buddha as 'Dharma' 'Amrta.' or "Bodhi'.
The author proves that Buddha adopting the negative approach, sought for the Ātman (attā) in the indirect way.
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The self is neither the sense organs nor the external world as conveyed to us through the five outer senses. Neither the mind nor the mental objects (Dharma) are true self. "Thus my self lies beyond all cognition and hence beyond the world as the sum of everything cognizable. It is the un-knowable, the un-fathomable; it is neither so, nor different but totally different" (p.9), True self is beyond space and time, beyond the reach of human intellect and there with immeasurable, un-fathomable like the great ocean.
This book is based on an indepth study of Buddha's original teachings. This will be very much useful for understanding the Buddha's doctrine of anattă (anātmavāda). Translator's language is simple and polished. Book is nicely printed and exquisitely got up.
· Y. S. Shastri
Gautama : the Nyāya Philosophy by N. S. Junankar, Motilal Bagarasidass, Delhi - 7, 1978. PP - 664, Price : Rs. 130
The book under review is critical and faithful exposition of Nyāya Philosophy of Gautama Nyāyasūtras, as explained by Vātsyāyana and Udd yotakara.
The Nyāyaśāstra means the science of right judgment or true reasoning. Etymologically 'Nyaya' means an argument that leads one to the establishment of intended meaning (Niyate prăpyate vivakṣitārthasiddhih anena iti Nyāyaḥ). Thus the word 'Nyāya' signifies that, the system is predominently analytical, logical and epistemological. It is also evident from Vātsyāyana's observation that the word Nyāya signifies a syllogism or five members (Pañcavayava) (N.B. -I-I-I .)
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