Primitive Buddhism: Its Origin and Teachings

The book is organized into eleven chapters. Chapter I introduces primitive Buddhism as a reform movement in India, discussing its social role, its benefit to women, the need for critical study, and the number of its adherents. Chapter II presents the Buddhist tradition of numerous Buddhas before Gautama, including Dīpaṅkara and other predecessors. Chapter III gives the Buddhistic account of Gautama Buddha through legendary sources such as the Lalita Vistara and the Jātakas. Chapter IV offers a more historical sketch of Buddha’s life, including his asceticism, enlightenment, first sermon, teachings on non-self, final meal, and death. Chapters V and VI analyze Buddhist teachings, including transmigration, former births, metaphysics, the soul, atheism, morality, Nirvana, and Pari-Nirvana. Chapter VII discusses the Buddhist order of monks and nuns, including ordination and monastic rules. Chapters VIII, IX, and X survey early Buddhist literature, including the Tri-Piṭaka, Vinaya texts, Dhammapada, Sutta-Nipāta, Mahāyāna texts, Japanese sutras, Prajñā-pāramitā, Tantra literature, and Buddhism’s relationship with Brahmanism. Chapter XI concludes with an assessment of primitive Buddhism in India, its origin, karma, pessimism, merit, Nirvana, literature, originality, and historical influence.