Abstract

The early Buddhists have recognized the central role of the affective and cognitive processes in a human being and they have explicated the human predicament, the Buddhist goal and the path leading to the goal according to these two processes. The case for this thesis is made by a critical examination of these analyses and the Nik ayas' explanations of the human being, Buddhist path, liberation , and the liberated ones . As developed here, the argument shows that the affective and cognitive processes provide the basis for the whole spectrum of the Buddhist teachings in the Nik ayas. ;Since the affective and cognitive processes are interrelated and interdependent, the causes of the human predicament, namely, craving and ignorance, are also interrelated and interdependent. These two causes, together with other negative and positive qualities, function in individuals in different degrees and hence produce different temperaments. For this reason, the Buddhist path has been structured loosely, making it possible for different temperaments to reduce gradually the causes of the unsatisfactoriness of existence and to undertake the path at a stage appropriate to their spiritual attainments. ;Because of the gradual, progressive, and individually relative nature of the Buddhist path, there are many paths leading to the ultimate goal known as nibb ana. Corresponding to the relatively different paths there are secondary and often temporary goals relative to the particular follower of the path. Seeking these intermediate goals is essential for Buddhists in their pursuit of the higher goals leading to the highest goal. Because of the differences in personalities and the plurality of paths and stages, there are many types of temporary and permanent liberations and liberated ones. Since the ultimate liberation from the cycle of birth and death is the same for all persons, there is only one ultimate goal to be pursued. The P ali Nik ayas have used the term nibb ana to denote this ultimate goal, and the term vimutti to denote the entire Buddhist liberation concept including nibb ana