Self-Awareness in Tibetan Buddhism. The Philosophical Relevance of Rang rig and Its Contribution to the Contemporary Debates on the Nature of Consciousness

This book, based on the Author’s doctoral dissertation, examines the concept of self-awareness (SKT svasaṃvedana; TIB rang rig) in the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist tradition, where it is understood as the mind’s inherent ability to know itself. It analyzes traditional interpretations of this concept and concludes by engaging with contemporary debates on the philosophy of mind, aiming to demonstrate how Buddhist thought can contribute to modern discussions on the nature of consciousness. The volume begins by tracing the origins of svasaṃvedana within the Indian Buddhist context, exploring its development from early formulations to the sophisticated epistemological frameworks of Dignāga and his successors. This historical overview lays the groundwork for the second part of the book, which investigates Tibetan perspectives on rang rig and analyzes their epistemological, ontological, and soteriological dimensions. Key themes include the interplay between the intentionality and luminosity of consciousness, as well as its connection with the doctrine of the two truths. The final section bridges these Buddhist perspectives with contemporary philosophical discussions, exploring how the former can deepen and enrich modern debates on issues such as the conditions for subjective experience, the so-called ‘hard problem of consciousness’, and the relationship between the mind and its objects. By focusing on the reflexivity of the mind, the book examines a crucial yet underexplored theme in Buddhist philosophical discourse. At the same time, it underscores the relevance of these perspectives for contemporary thought, fostering intercultural dialogue on fundamental questions within the broader field of philosophical inquiry.