In the Mirror of Memory: Reflections on Mindfulness and Remembrance in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism.

• Author: Sherburne, Richard

This collection of essays offers a thorough exploration of Buddhist notions of memory (smrti), showing the diverse . modes and uses of memory in both the fundamental religious practices of mindfulness, with attendant shades of meaning, and the Buddhist description of memory as storehouse of past events in its epistemological and phenomenological senses.

Working with the sparse references to memory in Buddhist literature, the eleven contributors, the finest English-writing Buddhologists of our day, as well as the penetrating American philosopher, Edward S. Casey, have investigated many facets of mnemonic phenomena, as orchestrated by the editor, Janet Gyatso, who has capitalized on the specialization and expertise of each. Several of the essays represent extensive funded research over several years.

Donald S. Lopez, Jr., explores the Buddha's memory of infinite past lives, treating this phenomenon as one of the superknowledges (abhijna) of bodhisattva yoga practice, and makes interesting comparisons of Buddha-memory with Freud's "screen (selective) memories."

Padmanabh S. Jaini reflects on the absence of Buddhist smrti in lists of mental events in Sanskrit Abhidharma literature, and the apparent avoidance of its definition, lest Buddhist non-self teaching be attacked.

Nyanaponika Thera also notes the omission of memory in Theravadin Pali lists of dhammas, describing how and why memory is ascribed to the perception (samjna) aggregate, and likewise remarks that this obviates questions regarding the foundations of Buddhist no-self/impermanence teachings.

Collett Cox treats the practice of mindfulness, so basic to Buddhist meditational exercises, and various terms for its development, from early Buddhism up to Sarviistivadin Abhidharma description.

Paul J. Griffiths shows how classical Indian Yogacara accounts for Buddhas' recollection of their past lives, interpreting such memory as actually present-active contemplative vision, rather than recall of past events.

Alex Wayman makes a comprehensive investigation of all Buddhist terms for recollection and other types of memory, introducing the Buddhist logicians' view of mundane memory as unreliable, and how it is viewed as a hindrance since it is part of discursive thought (vikalpa).

Rupert Gethin comments on the Buddhist memorization lists (matika), their importance as reminders for mindfulness...