ABSTRACT
T A C I T A S S U M P T I O N S
Many of the metaphysical theories of Buddhism must appear remote,
inaccessible and elusive to the average reader w h o is unprepared for
them. This is because they presuppose a close and long-standing
familiarity with the laws of the spiritual universe and with the rhythms
o f a spiritual life, not to mention a rare capacity for prolonged dis-
interested contemplation. In addition, Buddhist thinkers make a
number of tacit assumptions which are explicitly rejected by modern
European philosophers. T h e first, common to nearly all Indian,* as
distinct from European, 'scientific', thought treats the experiences o f
Y o g a as the chief raw material for philosophical reflection. Secondly,
all 'perennial' (as against 'modern') philosophers, agree on the hierar-
chical structure of the universe, as shown in (a) the distinction o f a
'triple world' and (b) of degrees of 'reality', and (c) in the establish-
ment o f a hierarchy o f insights dependent on spiritual maturity.
