2500 Years of Buddhism

Foreword — Presents the significance of the Buddha’s life, enlightenment, teaching mission, and mahāparinirvāṇa. I. India and Buddhism — Discusses the Indian background of Buddhism and its relationship with earlier religious traditions. II. Origin of Buddha — Examines the historical and cultural origins of the Buddha. III. Life and Teachings — Summarizes the Buddha’s biography and core doctrines. IV. Four Buddhist Councils — Presents the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Councils with appendices. V. Aśoka and the Expansion of Buddhism — Covers Aśoka and the spread of Buddhism in India, Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Nepal, Ceylon, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Viet-Nam, and Indonesia. VI. Principal Schools and Sects of Buddhism — Surveys Indian, Northern, and Southern Buddhist traditions, including Theravāda, Mahāyāna, Madhyamaka, Yogācāra, Zen, Pure Land, and Japanese sects. VII. Buddhist Literature — Introduces important Buddhist texts, biographies, teachings, and disciplinary literature. VIII. Buddhist Education — Discusses monastic training and major Buddhist universities such as Nālandā, Valabhī, Vikramaśīla, Jagaddala, and Odantapurī. IX. Some Great Buddhists after Aśoka — Presents major Buddhist thinkers and teachers in India, Tibet, China, and Japan. X. Chinese Travellers — Covers Faxian, Xuanzang, and Yijing. XI. A Brief Survey of Buddhist Art — Introduces Buddhist art in India and other Asian countries. XII. Places of Buddhist Interest — Surveys Buddhist sites in Northern, Western, and Southern India. XIII. Later Modifications of Buddhism — Discusses Hindu influence, Tāntric Buddhism, and related developments. XIV. Buddhist Studies in Recent Times — Reviews modern Buddhist studies in India, Europe, China, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Viet-Nam, Japan, and other regions. XV. Buddhism in the Modern World — Examines cultural, political, and revival dimensions of Buddhism. XVI. In Retrospect — Concluding reflection, followed by glossary, bibliography, index, charts, maps, and illustrations.