Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benares to Modern Colombo (The Library of Religious Beliefs and Practices)

Written by the leading authority on Theravada Buddhism, this up-dated edition takes into account recent research to include the controversies over the date of the Buddha and current social and political developments in Sri Lanka. Gombrich explores the legacy of the Buddha's predecessors and the social and religious contexts against which Buddhism has developed and changed throughout history, demonstrating above all, how it has always influenced and been influenced by its social surroundings in a way which continues to this day. "Theravada Buddhism is widely recognized as the classic introduction to the branch of Buddhism found in Sri Lanka and parts of South East Asia. The Buddha preached in north-east India in about the fifth-century BC. He claimed that human beings are responsible for their own salvation, and put forward a new ideal of the holy life, establishing a monastic Order to enable men and women to pursue that ideal. For most of its history the fortunes of Theravada, the most conservative form of Buddhism, have been identified with those of that Order. Under the great Indian emperor, Asoka, himself a Buddhist, Theravada reached Sri Lanka in about 250 BC. There it became the religion of the Sinhala state, and from there it spread, much later, to Burma and Thailand. Richard Gombrich, the leading authority on Theravada Buddhism, has updated his text and bibliographies to take account of recent research, including the controversies of the date of the Buddha and recent social and political developments in Sri Lanka.. He explores the legacy of the Buddha's predecessors and the social and religious contexts against which Buddhism has developed and changed throughout history. Above all, he shows how it has always influenced and been influenced by its social surroundings in a way which continues to this day." -- Publisher description

Theravada is the branch of Buddhism is found in Sri Lanka and parts of South East Asia. The Buddha preached in north-east India in about the fifth-century BC. He claimed that human beings are responsible for their own salvation, and put foward a new ideal of the holy life, establishing a monastic Order to enable men and women to pursue that ideal. For most of its history the fortunes of Theravada, the most conservative form of Buddhism, have been identified with those of that Order. Under the great Indian emperor, Asoka, himself a Buddhist, Theravada reached Sri Lanka in about 250 BC. There it became the religion of the Sinhala state, and from there it spread, much later, to Burma and Thailand.

Richard Gombrich's book, widely recognised as the classic introduction to the field of Theravada Buddhism, shows how Theravada Buddhism has influenced and been influenced by its social surroundings. He explores the influences of the Buddha's predecessors and the social and religious contexts against whichBuddhism has developed and changed throughout history. This revised and updated new edition incorporates recent research, including recent controversies over the date of the Buddha, as well as reflecting recent social and political developments in Sri Lanka.

Book Cover......Page 1 Half-Title......Page 2 Series-Title......Page 3 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgments and recommendations for further reading......Page 7 1 Introduction......Page 9 2 Gotama Buddha’s problem situation......Page 32 3 The Buddha’s Dhamma......Page 53 4 The Sangha’s discipline......Page 73 5 The accommodation between Buddhism and society in ancient India......Page 95 6 The Buddhist tradition in Sri Lanka......Page 109 7 Protestant Buddhism......Page 135 8 Current trends, new problems......Page 154 Works cited......Page 163 Abbreviations and primary sources......Page 167 References......Page 169 Index......Page 182 Acknowledgements And Recommendations For Further Reading -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Gotama Buddha's Problem Situation -- 3. The Buddha's Dhamma -- 4. The Sangha's Discipline -- 5. The Accommodation Between Buddhism And Society In Ancient India -- 6. The Buddhist Tradition In Sri Lanka -- 7. Protestant Buddhism -- 8. Current Trends, New Problems. Richard F. Gombrich. Originally Published: London ; New York : Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1988. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [211]-226) And Index. Widely recognized as the classic introduction to the field, Richard Gombrich’s book shows how Theravada Buddhism has influenced and been influenced by its social surroundings. First Published in 1988. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.