A History of Indian Buddhism: From Śākyamuni to Early Mahāyāna

The book begins with an explanation of the special characteristics of Indian Buddhism, presenting Buddhism as a tradition that arose in India but adapted differently as it spread to other regions. It then outlines the major periods of Indian Buddhist history and clarifies why the study focuses on Early Buddhism, Nikāya Buddhism, and Early Mahāyāna. Part One examines Early Buddhism through the religious environment of India at the time of the Buddha, including Vedic religion, Brahmanical thought, śramaṇa movements, Jainism, karma, rebirth, and competing doctrines of self and liberation. The following chapters reconstruct the life of Śākyamuni Buddha, from birth and renunciation to enlightenment, first preaching, formation of the saṅgha, missionary activity, major disciples, the establishment of the order of nuns, and the Buddha’s final passing. The doctrinal chapters analyze the central teachings of early Buddhism, including the Four Noble Truths, Middle Path, unanswered questions, five aggregates, no-self, Dharma, dependent origination, karma, rebirth, meditation, and nirvāṇa. Subsequent sections examine the growth and organization of the Buddhist order, the development of monastic rules, the formation of sectarian schools, the emergence of Abhidharma analysis, and the gradual appearance of early Mahāyāna ideas. Through this structure, the book connects biography, doctrine, institutional history, and textual development into a comprehensive account of Indian Buddhism’s formative centuries.