CONTENTS

Editorial Note XI Preface 1

PART ONE: PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS

1. East and West 9 2. The Divergence 13 3. The Classical Prejudice 18 4. Relations between the Peoples of Antiquity 24 5. Questions of Chronology 29 6. Linguistic Difficulties 36

PART TWO: THE GENERAL CHARACTER OF EASTERN THOUGHT

1. Main Divisions of the Eastern World 43 2. Principles of Unity of the Eastern Civilizations 48 3. What is Meant by Tradition? 54 4. Tradition and Religion 58 5. Essential Characteristics of Metaphysics 70 6. Relations between Metaphysics and Theology 79 7. Symbolism and Anthropomorphism 86 8. Metaphysical Thought and Philosophical Thought 92 9. Esoterism and Exoterism 107 10. Metaphysical Realization 114