A Princeton Classics edition of an essential work of twentieth-century
scholarship on India
Since its first publication, Philosophies of India has been considered
a monumental exploration of the foundations of Indian philosophy. Based
on the copious notes of Indologist, linguist, and art historian Heinrich
Zimmer, and edited by Joseph Campbell, this book is organized into three
sections. "The Highest Good" looks at Eastern and Western thought and
their convergence; "The Philosophies of Time" discusses the philosophies
of success, pleasure, and duty; and "The Philosophies of Eternity"
presents the fundamental concepts of Buddhism, Brahmanism, Jainism,
Sankhya and yoga, and Tantra. This work examines such areas as the
Buddhist Tantras, Buddhist Genesis, the Tantric presentation of
divinity, the preparation of disciples and the meaning of initiation,
and the symbolism of the mandala-palace Tantric ritual and twilight
language. It also delves into the Tantric teachings of the inner Zodiac
and the fivefold ritual symbolism of passion. Appendices, a
bibliography, and general and Sanskrit indexes are included.