Discourses in Buddhist Classics

ISBN: 9788124603604
Year Of Publication: 2006
Edition: 1st
Pages : xviii, 166
Bibliographic Details : Bibliography, Indices
Language : English
Binding : Hardcover
Publisher: D.K. Printworld Pvt. Ltd.
Size: 23 cm.
Weight: 475 gm.

Discourses in Buddhist Classics is primarily designed with twofold objective viz., (a) to serve as the tool for post-graduate teaching of the Course in “Philosophy of the Buddha”; and (b) to sustain the interest of the enterprising student by providing comprehensive understanding of Theravada and Mahayana schools of Buddhism. Divided into six chapters, the first chapter gives an account of the missionary life and object of Buddha’s teachings from Pali and Sanskrit sources; the second surveys the evolution of Pali language and its significant contribution; the third and fourth provide a brief sketch of Pali Tripitakas, the salient features as well as the Philosophical doctrines of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism by comparison and contrast. The last two chapters discuss the historiography of the two representative Buddhist Classics each from Thervada and Mahayana philosophical schools of Buddhism viz., Dhammapada, Sutta-Nipata, Vajracchedika Prajnaparamita and Saddharma Punóarika Sutra while throwing light on their central teachings. This work serves as a useful companion for the scholars and researchers who are seriously interested in the history of Buddhist literature; who wish to probe into Buddhist Textual Studies and who desire to have a lucid understanding of the philosophy of the two major Buddhist traditions of Theravada and Mahayana

Foreword — Angraj Chaudhary
Preface
Transliteration Chart
1. Life and Mission of Gautama Buddha
Life of the Buddha – Buddha’s Missionary Life – Mission of the Buddha
2. Origin and Development of the Pali Language
Definitions of the word Pali – Date and Antiquity of the Pali Language – Theories on the Evolution of the Pali – Views of Scholars on the original home of Pali language – Stages in the development of Pali language – Contribution of Scholars and Institutions to Pali Language and Literature – Significance of the Study of Pali Language
3. The Tripitaka Literature
Vinaya Pitaka – Sutta Pitaka – Abhidhamma Pitaka
4. Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism – Salient features of Theravada – Doctrine of Dependent Origination – Doctrine of Non-self (Anatta) – Doctrine of Karma and Rebirth – Doctrine of four Noble Truths – Doctrine of Noble Eight-Fold Path – Mahayana Buddhism – Emergence of Mahayana, its home and antiquity – Meaning and Justification of the term Mahayana – Salient features of Mahayana Buddhism – Points of Agreement between Theravada and Mahayana – Principal differences between Theravada and Mahayana
5.Theravada Buddhist Classics
I. Dhammapada – Introduction –?Venerable or Arhat – Awakened or Buddha – Way or Magga – Mendicant or Bhikkhu
II. Sutta-Nipata – Introduction – Central Teachings – Uraga Vagga : Rhinoceros Sutta (Khaggavisana Sutta) – Book of Octades (Atthaka Vagga) – Book of the Way-Across (Parayana Vagga)
6.Mahayana Buddhist Classics
I. Vajracchedika Prajnaparamita-Sutra
Introduction – Central Teachings – Ideal of Bodhisattva – Characteristics of the conditional Phenomena
II. Saddharma-Pundarika-Sutra
Introduction – Central Teachings – Ideal of the Tathagata – Doctrine of Universal Salvation – Buddha-hood as the highest goal of Perfection – Doctrine of One Vehicle (Eka-yana) – Role of Bodhisattvas as Enlighteners and Saviours – Doctrine of Salvation by Faith and Devotion – Philosophical significance of the Parables – Parable of the Burning House – Parable of the Prodigal Son – Parable of Plants – Parable of Blind man and the Physician – Parable of Physician and his sons
Bibliography
Index of Pali and Sanskrit Works
Index of Technical Terms and Proper Names