Buddhist Monasteries and Monastic Life in Ancient India : From the Third Century BC to the Seventh Century AD Book

Contents: Preface. 1. Historical and ideological background of Sramanism and early development of Monasticism. 2. Buddhist sects–background and post-Asokan developments. 3. Life in the monasteries. 4. Monasteries as centres of learning. 5. Monasteries and the social context. 6. Existing monastic remains: form and structure. Bibliography. Index.

"This book provides an authoritative and critical account of Buddhist Monasteries and monastic life in India spanning the period 3 century BC to 7 century AD.

Within a broad framework encompassing the growth and eventual decline of the monasteries, it trains its focus on their place as centers of education, scholarship and intellectual ferment, contributing to the traditions of free and logical thinking. All this is covered in the context of the historical and ideological development of monasticism and the growth of the Buddhist sects.

A notable feature of the book which distinguishes it from most other works on Buddhist Monasteries, is the detailed account it presents of life in the monasteries, based on literary and inscriptional sources as well as foreign traveller's accounts.

Last, but not the least, the book includes an account of the form and spirit presented by the remains of Buddhist Monasteries." (jacket)