About the Book
The first four Nikaya-texts belonging to the Suttapitaka of the Pali Tipitaka which contains the sacred sayings of Gotama (Skt. Gautama) Buddha are of inextimable value since they provide important source-materials to study the religio-cultural history of the contemporary period. From the sociological point of view to they are of utmost significance, because they vividly present the daily life of the people of ancient India. Hence the importance of the Nikayas can neither be gainsaid nor exaggerated. In fact, this work contains an outline study of the four Nikayas, namely, Dighanikaya, Majjhimanikaya, Samyttanikaya, and Anguttaranikaya, which belong to the Theravada Pali Canon, on some select aspects in five chapters and three appendices treating of the age of the Nikayas, comparative study between the Sanskrit/Chinese Agamas and Pali Nikayas, their language, Buddha's discourses to the laity, teachings of Early Buddhism under the threefold divisions of Sila, Samadhi and Panna, discussions on administrative, social and economic condition of ancient India, Historical and geographical materials found in the Nikayas, mutual relation of the treatment of similes in the Suttas of those Nikayas. In the present work, on the whole, an attempt has been made to introduce the first four Nikayas-texts in their entirety.
About the Author
Dipak Kumar Barua (born 1938) is a well-known Pali scholar with a brilliant academic record. He retired as Professor and Head of the Department of Pali, University of Calcutta. He was also nominated National Lecturer in Pali by UGC and became the Director of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda. His published work are: Anagarika Dharmapala: A Study (1964); Catalogue of Folklore Exhibition (1966); Vihara in Ancient India: A Survey of Buddhist Monasteries (1969); An Analytical Study of the Four Nikayas (1971, 2002); Buddha Gaya Temple; Its History (1975, 1981); Buddhist Art of Central Asia (1981); Ruparupa-Vibhaga of Acariya Buddhadatta Thera, Pali text with English translation and notes (1995); Buddhadattakrta Ruparup-Vibhaga, Pali text with Bengali translation and note (1997).
THE FOUR NIKAYAS Probable time of compilation of the four Nikayas Nikayas and Agamas compared Language of the Nikayas
DISCOURSES TO THE LAITY Introductory Discussion Definitions of Gahapati and Upasaka Ethical Religious Secular Discourses Jaina Discourses Compared
DISCOURSES ON SILA, SAMADHI AND PNNA Introduction Discussion Sila Samadhi Panna
DISCUSSIONS ON SECULAR MATTERS - ADMINISTRATIVE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC Origin of State Kinship Republican form of Government Military Administration Rural Administration Caste Classes of People Slavery Marriage and Position of Women Offences and Punishments General Life Agriculture Industry Seaproducts Trade and Commerce Famine
HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL MATERIAL IN THE NIKAYAS Anga Magadha Kasi Kosala Vajji Malla Cedi Vamsa Kuru Pancala Maccha Surasena Assaka Avanti Gandhara Kamboja Clans and Peoples Conception of Jambudipa Physiography Divisions of India Physical Features Places Mentioned
Mutual Relations of the Four Nikaya
Treatment of Similes in the four Nikaya
Brief contents of the Suttas in the Four Nikaya
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Art (276)
Biography (245)
Buddha (1957)
Children (75)
Deities (50)
Healing (33)
Hinduism (58)
History (534)
Language & Literature (448)
Mahayana (420)
Mythology (73)
Philosophy (428)
Sacred Sites (109)
Tantric Buddhism (94)
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