The Life or Legend of Gaudama, the Buddha of the Burmese, Vol.II

The volume is structured around the final phase of Gaudama Buddha’s life, the aftermath of his death, and the institutional development of Burmese Buddhism. Chapters I–II narrate Buddha’s last teachings, his travels, the deaths of Thariputra and Maukalan, his final illness, last instructions, and entrance into Neibban. Chapter III describes the events following Buddha’s death, including Ananda’s announcement to the Malla princes, the funeral preparations, Kathaba’s arrival, the cremation, the division of relics, and the honours paid to them by King Adzatathat. Chapter IV moves into the preservation of doctrine, focusing on Kathaba’s leadership, the first council at Radzagio, Ananda’s role, the establishment of the religious era, and the second council at Pataliputra. Chapter V continues the historical account through royal succession, King Athoka’s conversion, the finding and distribution of relics, the third council, missionary activity, and the transmission of Buddhist scriptures into Burma. The later sections provide an abstract of selected Dzats, identify principal places mentioned in the legend, explain the Seven Ways to Neibban through precepts, meditation, the nature of beings, form and name, the true ways to perfection, and progress in perfect science, and conclude with a study of the Phongyies, including their order, hierarchy, ordination, rules, occupations, and religious influence among the laity.