Indian Buddhist Theories of Person: Vasubandhu's Refutation of the Theory of a Self (Routledgecurzon Critical Studies in Buddhism)

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Summary: An essential book for understanding differences in Buddhism
Review: I have had the wonderful opportunity to take classes from the author while he was composing this work. His understanding of the complex issues between those who propose a permanent Self (or soul), those who propose no self, and those who walk the middle path between these two extreme views. It is this middle path that Professor Duerlinger (and Vasubandhu) is attempting to illuminate.
Professor Duerlinger has done a wonderful job capturing the debates between Vasubandhu and his opponents. Those familiar with the style of Socrates'' dialogs will see a very familiar style of presentation in Vasubandhu's work. Many times, Vasubandhu moves from answering a question from one opponent to attacking another in the very same response.
Vasubandhu and other Buddhist writers often attempted to have their work be in verses that were easily memorized so that they could be meditated upon more easily. While this is great for monks and Geshes, it leaves the uninitiated reader a little confused by the brevity of Vasubandhu's statements. This is where Professor Duerlinger shines. He is able to separate out the intricate points that Vasubandhu condenses into a four line verse to fully explain the implications each line has to the overall belief in the existence of a Self.
Vasubandhu lived in a time when Buddhism was thriving in India. His main opponents are Hindus and Nihilists, although at times he has an opponent from another school of Buddhist thought. This was a time before the mass proliferation of what has historically been called Mahayana Buddhism. But for the students of later Buddhist thought, such as Gelug-pa, you can see the philosophy of Vasubandhu distancing himself from the Hindus and the Buddhist schools of thought that clung to hard to absolute existence in a Self. While Vasubandhu's arguments against a Self never reach the Middle Way that Nagarjuna or Tsong Kha Pa espouse, you can definitely see the congruity between these three great Buddhist philosophers. Many times while reading, you feel like answering Vasubandhu's opponents with later Tibetan arguments against a Self. That is one of the wonderful things about this book, Professor Duerlinger helps one see these dialogs in the in historical context, as well as their later lasting effects on Buddhist thought.