MANUAL OF INDIAN BUDDHISM

The sacred lore of the Buddhists is based on the canonical books, acomplete collection of which is technically called Tripitaka (Tipitaka), i.e., the three Basketsi. Vinaya, Sutra (Sutta), and Abhidharma (Abhidhamma). Of all the collections going by that name the Pali Tipitaka, representing the version acknowledged by the orthodox Theras or Vibhajyavadins of Ceylon, is the only one which forms a well arranged whole and is sufficiently known to admit of a critical disquisition into the relative age of its component parts, at least to a certain extent. Buddhism is a religion of universal peace and concord. The present book fulfils its aim by placing emphasis on the facts in relation to this aspect of the creed. The book is divided into five sections. Section I is Introductory. It recounts in particular the sacred books of the Buddhists, literature subsidiary to the canon the period of Origin of Buddhism and Indian thoughts and ideals contemporaneous with it. Section II deals with the life of Buddha from conception birth the childhood to Parinirvana cremation and partition of the relics.