The Doctrine of Awakening: The Attainment of Self-Mastery According to the Earliest Buddhist Texts (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: revolt against the modern world, incomparable safety, samsáric consciousness, Prince Siddhattha, Awakened One, Doctrine of Awakening (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Evola . . . had a clarity of mind and a gift for explaining tremendously difficult concepts in nonacademic language. His account of the niddana-chain (the twelve stages of conditioned genesis) is a masterpiece. It equips the reader for a whole new understanding, not only of Buddhism, but of the human state in general. -- Gnosis Magazine

Evola's is the most original book I've ever read on Buddhism. -- Dan Byrnes, New Dawn, March/April 2002

In essence, the Buddhist "Doctrine of Awakening" is, for Evola, the cultivation of a pure, naked, transcendent consciousness, and his book shines in describing the stages leading to this consciousness. -- Richard Smoley, Parabola

Review

"Evola ... had a clarity of mind and a gift for explaining tremendously difficult concepts in nonacademic language. His account of the niddana-chain (the twelve stages of conditioned genesis) is a masterpiece. It equips the reader for a whole new understanding, not only of Buddhism, but of the human state in general."
(

Gnosis Magazine

)

"In essence, the Buddhist 'Doctrine of Awakening' is, for Evola, the cultivation of a pure, naked, transcendent consciousness, and his book shines in describing the stages leading to this consciousness."
(

Richard Smoley, Parabola

)

"Evola engages in a well-graduated exposition of Buddhist techniques as seen in this ascetic light, with discussion of the mental/spiritual states encountered. Evola's is the most original book I've ever read on Buddhism."
(

Dan Byrnes, New Dawn, March/April 2002

)

" . . . a provocative study of the teachings of the Buddha by one of Europe's most stimulating thinkers." (
Buddha Torrents, Oct 2008 )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892815531
• ISBN-13: 978-0892815531
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #486,949 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a book for those seeking "Buddhism for Dummies", August 24, 2001

By	Kenneth Robinson (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Students and admirers of Evola will, of course, wish to read this significant part of the Evola canon. However, for those interested in, but unfamiliar with, Evola should start with his magnum opus, Revolt Against the Modern World, to better understand his decidedly complex and unusual world view. This book is a poor choice for someone looking for an introduction to Buddhism or meditation. The subtitle: "The Attainment of Self-Mastery According to the Earliest Buddhist Texts" suggests that this is something of a practice manual--it certainly is not. Rather, the book purports to set forth the fundamental ascesis of early Buddhism before it degenerated into a religion of the masses. Whether he has succeeded, I leave to the judgment of scholars of Buddhism. I believe that advanced students of Buddhism (or other serious spiritual disciplines)who are unintimidated by dry, scholarly, intellectually demanding writing will find this work to be fascinating and useful. But, of necessity, this is a very small audience. Evola, the unabashed elitist and aristocrat, would not be disappointed to have a limited, but discerning audience.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fascinating Interpretation of Buddhism, June 11, 2002

By	Nicq MacDonald (Sioux Falls, SD United States) - See all my reviews

Buddhism has been called by western scholars "a path of annhilation", a "route of destruction", and a "system of nihilistic life-denial". Modern translators and teachers, such as Lama Surya Das and Robert A.F. Thurman, have attempted to portray Buddhism in a modernistic light, as a progressive route of compassion and evolution. However, according to Evola, both interpretations are incorrect.

Evola digs through the earliest texts of the Pali Canon to expose a tradition of "ascesis"- not life-denying, repressive asceticism as we know in the west, but a tradition of detachment and training towards enlightenment through proper thought, reflection, and action. He puts Buddhism in historical perspective, showing it as a movement that started with the intention of renewing the Brahmanical tradition, one based not on modern equality and humanitarianism but on spiritual elitism and the favoring of a spiritual elect known as the Ariya. Lastly, he tries to show how those of us living in the modern world can attempt to follow the tradition of liberation.

Although I don't accept some of Evola's interpretations or conclusions, he brings up many valid points and exposes a spiritual tradition that still holds validity today- and will perhaps for the rest of the age as well.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nontheistic spirituality for martial artists, November 17, 2005

By	T. Kalamaras "Scrivener" (Midwest USA) - See all my reviews

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Rather than repeat the generalities of the other helpful reviews, I recommend this book for its magnificent exposition of two unique topics. Firstly, Evola discusses Buddhism as a form of non-theistic religion or spirituality-- which some may consider a contradiction in terms. Secondly, Evola explores the "Aryan" origins of Buddhism in the form of the kshatriya Siddhartha, who was a member of the warrior caste of ancient India. Practicioners of martial arts may find the development the theme of Buddhism as a spirituality suited to the warrior caste personally meaningful.