The Selfless Mind: Personality,Consciousness and Nirvana in Early Buddhism FROM THE PUBLISHER
This careful analysis of early Buddhist thought opens out a perspective in which no permanent Self is accepted, but a rich analysis of changing and potent mental processes is developed. It explores issues relating to the not-Self teaching: self-development, moral responsibility, the between-lives period, and the "undetermined questions" on the world, on the "life principle" and on the liberated one after death. It examines the "person" as a flowing continuity centered on consciousness or discernment (vinnana) configured in changing mind-sets (cittas). The resting state of this is seen as "brightly shining"—
like the "Buddha nature" of Mahayana thought—
so as to represent the potential for Nirvana. Nirvana is then shown to be a state in which consciousness transcends all objects, and thus participates in a timeless, unconditioned realm.
FROM THE CRITICS
Rupert Gethin - Journal of Buddhist Ethics
Harvey's book is full of thought-provoking discussions of various puzzles and points raised by the Nikaayas' understanding of consciousness and personality....[The book's] great virtue is that Harvey continually cites interesting and challenging material from his primary sources; he is also not afraid of those awkward passages that others often overlook or shy away from because they do not fit the received understanding of early Buddhist thought.
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