Ebook: The Bodhisattva doctrine in Buddhist Sanskrit literature

his work consists of 7 chapters that deal with the Bodhisattva doctrine as expounded in the principle Buddhist Sanskrit literature. Chapter 1 describes the nature of the Bodhisattva doctrine with particular stress on the distinct characteristics of arhat, bodhisattva and sravaka. Chapter 2 recounts the different factors including the influence of Persian religio-cult, Greek art and Christian ethics that contributed to the rise and growth of the Bodhisattva doctrine. Chapter 3 expounds the production of the thought of Enlightenment for the welfare and liberation of all creatures. Chapter 4 describes 37 practices and principles conducive to the attainment of Enlightenment. Chapter 5 explains the 10 perfections (Paramitas) that lead to welfare, rebirth, serenity, spiritual cultivation and supreme knowledge. Chapter 6 states different stages of spiritual progress in the aspirant's long journey to the goal of final emancipation. Chapter 7 relates the events of Gautama Buddha's past lives as Bodhisattva. Lucidly written, it contains comprehensive notes and references as well as a general index. From:Bodhisattva Doctrine in Buddhism von Leslie Kawamura http://gen.lib.rus.ec/book/index.php?md5=0C5373B8CDF4E519192DADBEDF001D9A Har Dayal's The Bodhisattva Doctrine in Buddhist Sanskrit Literature published in 1931 was the first extensive study in English of the Bodhisattva doctrine. Dayal discussed the Bodhisattva doctrine as it was expounded in the Buddhist sanskrit texts, and it remains a question whether anything more can be added to his excellent study. However, no other book on the doctrine has appeared in English subsequent to Dayal's study, and Buddhist scholarship, having expanded beyond the boundaries of the Sanskrit anguage, must now take into account information found not only in the Sanskrit language but also in other languages fundamental to Buddhist studies.

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