In The Mirror Of Memory

Book Details:

• Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications

• Author: Janet Gyatso

• Language: English

• Pages: 307

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 23 cm x 15 cm

• Weight: 470 gm

• Edition: 1993

• ISBN: 9788170303749

About the Book:

This thought-provoking and pioneering collection brings together essays by leading scholars in the field, all of whom explore various aspects of memory as it is discussed in Buddhist thought and practice. The book covers a diverse range of topics, including Buddhist meditation, visualization, prayer, and the commemoration of the Buddha. A key theme throughout the work is how Buddhist teachings view memory, from the recollection of past lives to the memorization of vast scriptures.

The contributors examine different Buddhist practices where memory plays a crucial role, such as the use of mnemonic lists to condense scriptures and the recollection of infinite past lives before Sakyamuni’s attainment of Buddhahood. Some schools of Buddhism even suggest that enlightened awareness is itself a form of “mnemic engagement” with reality.

Additionally, the essays address more mundane acts of memory, such as recognizing, reminding, memorizing, and storing information, all of which are significant within Buddhist practice. One of the most intriguing insights of the book is the connection between perception and memory, where certain Buddhist practices cultivate an intimate relationship between the two, transforming ordinary acts of perception into spiritually enriching experiences.

Drawing on a wide variety of primary sources, including northern and southern Abhidharma literature, Pali and Mahayana sutras, Yogacara materials, and Tibetan traditions, this volume also considers Buddhist views on memory in relation to Western phenomenology, psychology, and history of religion.

The introduction by Janet Gyatso delves into the underexplored role of memory in Buddhist philosophy, arguing against the reductionist view that memory only pertains to recollection. Gyatso demonstrates how Buddhist discourse includes a wide range of mnemic phenomena, many of which are not strictly about recalling past experiences but also about engaging with memory in ways that support soteriological development.

Through a comparative approach, the essays explore how Buddhist memory practices align with or diverge from Western theories of memory, offering fresh insights into both Buddhist thought and the nature of memory itself. By engaging with both Buddhist and Western perspectives, this collection expands our understanding of memory as both a psychological and philosophical phenomenon, highlighting its role in Buddhist practice and its significance in the broader field of memory studies.