Book Reviews

Buddhist Studies Brahmajala and Samannaphla of the Digha Nikaya it is stated that killing and Journal of the Department destruction of seeds, embryos and so forth of is against the Buddhist ethical teaching. In the conclusion it is said that cloning and stem cell research should not be Vols. November 2002 – Vol. XXII; encouraged. March 2003 – Vol. XXIII February 2004 – Vol. XXIV and The next article is written by Prof. February 2004 – Vol. XXV Pradyumna Dubey of Benaris Hindu University. It is on Asvaghosa and his Editor: Dr. Bhikshu Satyapala works. In this article it has been pointed Published for the Department of out that Asvaghosa was the first person to Buddhist Studies, University of Delhi, write on in . Delhi 7, by Jai Computers, Delhi – References are made to Buddhacarita and 110 032 Saundaranada poems. Number of printing mistakes are found in the article. The Journal Under review, Buddhist is the publication of the Studies, The third article is “A Conceptual Department of Buddhist studies, Delhi Approach to Akasa-Dhatu.” This is an University, India. The editor of the extremely short presentation. At the journal is none other than the Head of beginning one can see that two traditions the Department of Buddhist Studies, regarding the status of Akasa have been Venerable Dr. Bhikshu Satypala. We mentioned. Samkhya, Nyaya-Vaisesika have received three copies of the and medical traditions, Caraka and Journal ranging from 2002 to 2004, for Susruta, consider Akasa as a Mahabhuta. review. Buddhism excludes Akasa from the list of Mahabhuta but the status of element The November 2002 volume of the (Dhatu) is accorded to it. Even though the Journal of Buddhist Studies carries pioneering work on the subject, Buddhist seventeen articles written by scholars of Analysis of Matter written by Y. India. There is an Editorial included at Karunadasa (published in 1967) is not the beginning of the Journal written by mentioned in the article, it sounds that it the Editor, Ven. Bhikshu Satyapala. In has been used closely in writing this that he has indicated the present volume article. is an outcome of many coordinating factors as well as right motivating Next article entitled: The Contribution, efforts. the Madhyamika Philosophy Can Make

to the World Culture is written by Dr. T. The first article written by Prof. Deepak R. Sharma. The emphasis of the article is Kumar Barua is on to show that the Madhyamika system has with Reference to Stem Cell Research: contributed an analytical way of A Bioethical Study. In this article an investigation into phenomena. In the attempt is made to give an extremely conclusion of the article it has been short history as to the inception of Stem emphasized that Madhyamika philosophy Cell research and the countries involved can show a way leading to a possible in the project. There is a very short world culture. description of Harvesting Stem Cell and Stem Cell Research and Its Benefits. Next article is on the Importance of Next the Buddhist attitude to Stem Cell Teaching of and Sanskrit in Research has been explained in terms of Buddhist Studies is written by the editor early . Referring to of the journal, Ven. Dr. Bhikshu Satyapala.

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Main concern of this article is to show Sunyata and Karuna (compassion). the relevance of Pali and Sanskrit Mahamudra is divided into three: ground learning in the study of Buddhism. Mahamudra, Path Mahamudra and result There is a vast literature written in Pali Mahamudra. This is a veryshort article. and Sanskrit on Buddhism. Both Pali Evaluative Study of Nettippakarana and Sanskrit learning is necessary to contributed by Dr. K. K. Pandey is a have a sound knowledge of Buddhism. useful article. Nettippakarana is a manual The early attempt to preach and of Buddhist hermeneutics written by Ven. preserve Buddhism in Sanskrit Kaccana to impart guidelines of (Chandas or Vedic language) too has commentarial methodology. The article been briefly discussed in the article. covers its authority, scope, arrangement, treatment, format and special features. Dr. H. P. Gang Negi’s article is on Iconography of the Vajradhatu Concept of Ahara in Early Buddhism Vairocana at Tabo. This article can be written by Dr. Ramesh Prasad explains considered as a well researched one. four nutrients: Kabalinkarahara (gross The article on Vipassana Meditation: food), Phassahara (contact), Path of Liberation is written by Dr. O. Manosancetanahara (thoughts) and P. Pathak. This is a short description of Vinnanahara (sustenance of the insight (Vipassana) method of consciousness). The Pitaka and meditation. It is stated in the article that Animal Rights is an interesting article Vipassana method of meditation does contributed by Dr. Rajesh Rajan. An not have any sectarian elements and it attempt has been made in this article to can be practiced by anybody explain animals’ rights to exist and how irrespective of their religious and their rights have been totally ignored by sectarian background. Next article man. The mistreatment is done in the form entitled The Buddha: A Great of eating meat, scientific or medical Psychiatrist written by Dr. Satyendra experimentation and research and also in Kumar Pandey is a short description of religious practices by animals to how the Buddha made use of his gods and supernatural beings. psychiatric healing power. A list of diseases physical as well as mental has Lalan Kumar Jha has contributed the been collected from the Pali sutras. It is article entitled Well Guarded Mind: stated that Buddha was a great Important for Prosperous Life. The physician as well as psychiatrist during emphasis of this article is to show that it is his time. K. Manohar Gupta’s article on extremely important to discipline our Ravana, the Disciple of the Buddha- mind. Very short description of Buddhist Mythological or Historical attracts meditation is also given in the article. readers’ attention very much. Ravana Next article is a brief investigation of The was Sri lanka’s mythological king who Evolution of Dialects and Languages in was considered a pre-Buddhist ruler. Buddhist India. Aravind Rituraj has Valmiki wrote his great epic poem contributed this article. Very brief called Ramayana describing Rama and description of Vedic language (Chandas), Ravana mythology. The question has Sanskrit, Pali and other Middle Indo- been raised already as to how far it is Aryan Prakrits has been given in the authentic that Ravana was a disciple of article. the Buddha. Chronologically this idea cannot be proved. Ven. Hsu Chuan Ling of Taiwan has contributed the article entitled The In the article, Mahamudra, written by Process of Founding of Hua-Yen Sect. Dr. Bindiya Trivedi an interpretation is This is a very short description of Hua- given to mahamudra. It is voidness or yen which is known as Avatamsaka

348 Book Reviews sutra in Sanskrit and the establishment Referring to Cakkavatti Sihanada sutra of of the sect in China. The last article of the Digha Nikaya it is stated that it is the this volume is Thervada Buddhist prime duty of rulers to eradicate poverty Educational Philosophy for from society by treating its cause. Psychopathology of Politics. It has been contributed by Prof. Manavendra Dr. T. R. Sharma has contributed Kishore Das. Many questions have been ‘Buddhism: A way to Integration of raised regarding corruption, fraud, Body, Mind and Spirit.’ At the embezzlement of public funds and so beginning of the article, it has been forth. It has been pointed out that these emphasized that the integration of the problems can be overcome by applying constituents of body, mind and spirit is religion and morality. necessary for development of human personality. Referring to Yogacara teaching, the importance of mind or Buddhist Studies consciousness has been explained.

Journal of the Department Ven. Dr. Bhikshu Satyapala’s article on of Buddhist Studies Kala and in the Buddhism is an interesting one even though it is short. Many terms indicative University of Delhi of time have been taken from Pali texts March, 2003, Vol. XXIII have been mentioned and explained. It has been pointed out that the Dhammasangani, The first article of this Volume, the first book of the Abhidhamma does Applied Buddhism for the Modern not consider time as ultimate and Way of Life, has been contributed by are divided into three depending Prof. Dipak Kumar Barua. At the very on time. The law of karma is the central beginning of this article the term theme of Buddha’s teaching. Buddhism has been defined. The important of Sila or morality as a The article, Buddhism and controlling factor of one’s physical Contemporary Crisis of Ethical Values verbal and mental behavior has been is an attempt to show the crisis of ethical, emphasized. The second article which is moral and spiritual values in man. Dr. on Two Indian Approaches to Field- Anita Sharma has contributed the article Being: Substantialist and Non- on ‘Buddhism and Myth of the Royal is written by Prof. S. R. Substantialist Persecution in Ancient India.’ is an Bahatt. Main concern of the article is to attempt to reason out the causes that led to view the Concept of Field-Being the disappearance of Buddhism from India. (Ksetraja) in terms of Hinduism and The strong belief that due to Pusyamitra Buddhism. The field being is the Sunga’s destructive activities Buddhism concept of Brahma, Purusa, in the vanished from Indian soil has been Vedic thought and the Dharmakaya in challenged. Dr. O. P. Pathak’s article on Buddhism. ‘The Concept of Spirit in Early

Buddhist Tradition’ is a description of The article entitled ‘Buddha’s Peta (spirits) concept in Buddhism. A Pragmatic Approach to Social short account of is Harmony and Material Prosperity’ is given at the beginning. All the planes of contributed by Prof. Angraj Chaudhary. existence from purgatory to no-form plane It has been pointed out that long before existence are listed. A short account of Carl Marx Buddha very clearly pointed each plane of existence is also given in the out the problem of poverty and due to article. poverty how social evils come about.

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Dr. Bimalendra Kumar has written on The next article entitled ‘Practice of Compassion (Karuna ‘Dhammacakkam as the Base of Early ) and World Peace.’ This is a Pitaka Literature’ is written by Lalan very short article. In this article an Kumar Jha who is studying for Ph. D. in attempt is made to define Karuna the Department of Buddhist Studies, Delhi (compassion) in terms of Pali University. An attempt is made in this commentaries. Karuna as a practice of article to show that Buddha’s first sermon meditation has been very briefly is the base of the whole Buddhist teaching, explained in this article. The title of the entire Pitaka literature. next article is ‘The Buddha: Great Physician’. It is contributed by Dr. The Connection of Dhando Caitya with Satyendra Kumar Pandey. The main Carumati the Daughter of Asoka the emphasis of this article is to explain Great is an article archeologically how the Buddha prescribed remedies to important article. It is contributed by humanity to cure their illnesses, Swoyambhu Dhar Tuladhar. In this article especially mental illnesses. The article an attempt is made to elucidate that entitled ‘Buddhism and World Peace’ Carumati, daughter of Emperor Asoka, has been contributed by Dr. Ram built the caitya named Dhando in Nepal. Nandan Singh of University of Jammu. The article is based on recent findings by It is stated that Buddhism can play a archeologists. Large quantities of decisive role in preserving world peace antiquities well preserved were found and it’s aspiration is to achieve a from the site. More than one peaceful global order. Buddhist thousand coins, three hundred and eighty approach to peace and harmony has five small and hundreds of statues been explained under different aspects were discovered. Specially, two bricks such as and Peace, discovered by a monk contain an and Peace, Rationalistic inscription. This inscription reads the Thought and Peace, Democratic name of cha-ru-wa-ti, the daughter of Thought and Peace and Concept of Emperor Asoka. Welfare and Peace. The Article entitled Indian Next article is written by Dr K. Characteristics in Vietnamese Buddhist Manohar Gupta on Buddhism – An Activities is contributed by Ven. Dr. Answer to Current Crisis of Ethical Thich Chon Thien. This article displays Values. It has been pointed out in this Indian characteristics of Vietnamese article that Buddhism is a response to Buddhism. It emphasizes that Buddhism fundamental problem of ethics. The came to Vietnam directly from India. Next article contributed by Dr. Siyaram article is on the Concept of No-Soul in Mishra Haldhar is on a very Buddhism. It is contributed by Ha Thanh controversial subject. The title of the Liem who is reading for the Degree of article is Revision of the Concept of Doctor of Philosophy in Gelhi University. Ahimsa and Meat Eating in Early At the beginning a reference is made to Buddhism. It has been argued that the conception of soul developed by Buddha’s approval of eating meat Upanishad thinkers. And then the article which is pure in three ways goes on to show that there are only five (Trikotiparisuddha) is a later Khandhas and any of theses Khandhas interpolation. Eating meat is contrary to cannot be identified as soul. the first precept. In the concluding remarks mention is made of that all The article The Nuns of the Mendicant living beings like to live, and therefore, Tradition in Vietnam has been life should be protected. contributed by Thich Nu Tri Lien, Nguyen Thi Tuyet. It is a description of the

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Congregation of Vietnam Mendicant The book contains five thousand and one (Giao Hoi Tang Gia Khat Si hundred slokas (stanzas). The poem has Vietnam). It has been pointed out that in nineteen chapters called Parvas. And also addition to two Buddhist traditions, it is divided into one hundred cantos Southern (Theravada) and Northern (Sargas). The poem is written in classical (), the new tradition was Sanskrit. The complete 36th canto called founded in 1946 by Master Minh Dang Maraparajayah has been quoted from the Quang. Sanskrit original and has been translated into English. This volume includes three articles written in Hindi language. Bhagavan The article, Notes on the Chinese Buddha Ke Marga Par is contributed Buddhist Text of the A-PI-TA-MO by Vishvanath Pandey, SHIH-SHEN TSU-LUN (- Bauddhavammaya mem Traivdhya Vijnanakaya-Padasastra) is written by ka Mahatva by Ramesha Kumar Dr. Swati Ganguly who is a research Dvivedi and Cina mem scientist of Asiatic Society of Bengal, Abhidharmanikaya Tatha Uske Calcutta. The Abhidharma Vijnanakaya Pradurbhava mem Padasastra is one of the seven books of Misrakabhidharmahrdayasastra ki Abhidharma Pitaka of school Bhumika byLalaji Sravak. of Buddhism. The original Sanskrit text is lost but it is preserved in Chinese translation. Hsuan-tsang (599-664) Buddhist Studies translated the Sanskrit text into Chinese. According to Yasomitra’s Journal of the Department Sphutarthabhidharmakosa Vyakhua, of Buddhist Studies Vijnanakaya Padasastra was written by Devasarman. In this article the title of the text, structure and contents and University of Delhi philosophy and psychology have been Vol. XXIV, February, 2004 briefly explained.

The first article of this volume is The Prof. M. K. Das’s article on Admission Buddhist Statecraft in Asia Process at the Ancient University of contributed by Prof. S. K. Pathak. Nalanda Based on Chinese Sources is an Statecraft means polity or political interesting article. The necessary materials science. At the very beginning of the are drawn from the records of Chinese article it has been mentioned that there pilgrims like Fa-hien, Hiuen-tsang, Itsing is no systematic treatise on statecraft and others who went to India for Buddhist apart from Kautilya’s Arthasatra education. Admission to the University which was written during the third (Nalanda) was very strict. Students were century B.C.E. It has been shown that supposed to show their ability. Only Buddhist Sangha was the model of twenty to thirty per cent of students were Gana republics in ancient India. The successful in the oral examination to enter article includes a long bibliography. the university. Article includes sub sections like Students and Scholars, Sanghasen Singh has contributed the Norms of Admission of Various Levels, article An Introduction to the Secular Section, Unordained Section and Buddhavijayakavya of Shanti Popularity. Bhikshu Shastri. This is a Mahakavya written by Shanti Bhikshu Sastri while The next article is The Concept of he was living in Sri Lanka as a Anatman in Buddhism contributed by Professor of Vidyalankara University. Prof. K.T. S. Sarao. Anatma (no-soul) is a

351 Hsi Lai Journal of Humanistic Buddhism much discussed subject in Buddhism, therefore many books and articles are The articles, Right Mental Awareness, written by eastern as well as western Dependent Arising, Buddhism and its scholars. It is very traditional to start the Message for Universal Peace and subject from Upanishad teachings as the Harmony, Time and Temporality in doctrine of Atma or soul has been Buddhism, The Concept of Buddhist systematically elucidated by Brahmana Humanism for Peace, and seers who retired into forest at their old Nirvrti, Vimanavatthu: A Manual of and matured age. In the article, Karma Theory and An Outlook of Buddhist analysis of personality into Theatrical Performance as Mirrored five aggregates and their impermanent Through Buddhist Texts are useful nature have been mentioned to disprove contributions to the study of Buddhism. that there is a permanent and These articles are written by Dr. unchanging soul. And also reference to Satyendra Kumar Pandey, Dr. K. many scholars as authorities of the Manohar Gupta, Dr. Lalan Kumar Jha, subject and their writings have been Rana Purushottama Kumar Singh, Dr. Ms. mentioned. Arguments for both Atma Veena Gaur, Ven. Neluwe Sumanawansa, and Anatma have been quoted from Sumalai Ganwiboon and Ven. Makuruppe sources and discussed. Dhammananda respectively.

Next article Ethico-Eschatological There are four articles written in Hindi Perspective of Death in Early langue: Bauddha Sangitiyam Tatha Buddhism is contributed by Bhikshu Esiya Mem Bauddha- Pracara, Satyapala. Buddha has succinctly Bauddhadharma Aura Paryavarana discussed the death and eschatology as Pradusana, Madhyamika Darsna Evam it is prone to metaphysics and it is Acarya and Buddhakalina therefore, beyond comprehension of Samajika Vyavastha. They are average people. Buddhist karma and it contrubuted respectively by relatedness to death has been explained. Radhesyamadhar Dvivedi, Brahmadeva It is fairly a good article. Dr. Vijaya Narayana Sarma, Ramesh Kumar Dvivedi Laksmi Singh’s article is on Buddhism and (Srimati) Rama Shukla. at Mathura. It is on the history and spread of Buddhism in India. Referring Journal of Buddhist Studies Published by to excavations done in this region it has the Department of Buddhist Studies of the been emphasized that the form of University of Delhi is a step forward in Buddhism existed in Mathura was the study of Buddhism. Articles, though Sarvastivada. The next article is on The they are short, depict the research Arts of Ajanta contributed by Dr. component and enthusiasm in the study of Praveen Prakash. Three stages of Buddhism. All credits should go to Ven excavation are mentioned in the article. Bhikshu Satyapala, the editor of the The next article Relevance of Studying Journal, for his great effort of collecting Pali Scriptures in the Modern World and publishing the Journal. has been contributed by Dr. C. S. Prasad. The importance of study of Pali – Kottegoda S. Warnasuriya sutras has been emphasized in the article. Referring to Vijnanavada shool of Buddhism it has been remarked that without comparing its philosophy with Pali Abhidhamma, Sarvastivada Abhidharma and Sautrantika teaching it is useless.

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