Metaphor and Literalism in Buddhism

<p>Soonil Hwang studies the doctrinal development of nirvana in the Pali <em>Nikaaya</em> and subsequent tradition and compares it with the Chinese <em>aagama</em> and its traditional interpretation. He clarifies early doctrinal developments of <em>Nirvana</em> and traces the word and related terms back to their original metaphorical contexts elucidating diverse interpretations and doctrinal and philosophical developments in the <em>abhidharma</em> exegeses and treatises of Southern and Northern Buddhist schools. The book finally examines which school if any kept the original meaning and reference of <em>Nirvana</em>.</p>