Buddhism- Its History and Literature

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Religion One of the most significant of the human concerns, is perhaps the amalgamation of varied sets of traditions, practices and ideas, that cross different boundaries in human experience. The book "Buddhism Its History And Literature' ature", by T.W. Rhys Davids comprises of six scholarly American lectures on the "History of Religion". It deals with the life and teachings of Buddha and brings forth the different aspects of early Buddhism with strong cultural and religious background.

Lecture I begins with the Religious theories in India before Buddhism. It talks about the different interpretations of the word Religion. Religion has taken a central place in the lives of all civilization and cultures, throughout history. But, what is Religion? Religion can be dated back to the time when perhaps the first ray of consciousness was experienced by man. Religious views and Religious feelings of an individual profoundly affect his/her life. This lecture brings forth a view of religion entirely different from the early stage of culture in India where existence of gods and souls were taken for granted, where religion was dependent on soul theories and superstitions. In a subtle way the lecture explains that the phenomenal existence has a cause. Nothing exists independently without a cause. If there is coming into existence then there is disappearance as well. Till the time Buddha was in the empirical world he was also a part of the cause and effect factor.

Lecture II moves on to walk the reader through "The Authorities on which our knowledge of Buddhism is based".

This lecture brings forth the different aspects of early Buddhism with a strong cultural and religious background. It talks about the three baskets or the Tripitakas that canon at the heart of Buddhism's teachings and form the foundation of the written word or dharma. Tripitaka is the collection of the teachings of the Buddha in the Pali language, and it consists of Sutta - conventional teaching, Vinaya disciplinary code, and Abhidhamma - the moral psychology.

Lecture III portrays the early life of Buddha the prince extraordinaire, with wonderful tolerance who would enter into the need and aspirations, hopes and fears of our common humanity. Tathagata, Arahat - Buddha ("enlightened one" or "the awakened") inherited an ancient, rich and varied cultural Tradition of a high order. Then out of it he formulated and established a new culture. This culture was theoretically enlightening and practically redeeming from the Labyrinth of suffering, imperfection, impermanence and other vicissitudes of life. Buddha started a peaceful reformation that is being continued till date.