The History of Buddhist Thought

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The History of Buddhist Thought by Edward J. Thomas delves into the intricate tapestry of Buddhism, weaving together the threads of its evolution over centuries. The author acknowledges the formid- able challenge of encapsulating the entire history of Buddhist communities, given the vastness of its chronicles. The narrative shifts to the early period, challenging the conventional portrayal of Buddhism and urging readers to consider it as 'Sakya." Thomas acknowledges the meticulous work of scholars like Rhys Davids, McGovern, and others in deciphering the Pali tradition. He argues that even the earliest known form of Buddhism faced scrutiny and potential degeneration, necessitating a reevaluation of its historical evolution. The emergence of Mahayana schools, initially revealed by Alexander Csoma de Körös, posed challenges due to fragmented historical documents. However, ongoing efforts by scholars, notably in the Bibliotheca Buddhica, aim to establish connections between Mahayana and earlier traditions. Thomas expresses gratitude to scholars worldwide, from S. Oldenburg to T. Stcherbatsky and Professor L. de la Vallée Poussin. Japanese scholars, including Rev. Bunyiu Nanjio and D. T. Suzuki, contribute significantly to the understanding of Buddhism.

A HISTORY of Buddhism in the sense of a connected account of the chief events of all the Buddhist communities throughout the centuries is an ideal not yet attainable. The monumental Cambridge History of India is blazing a path, but it has so far completed only the first volume of the Hindu portion. Merely to record the known. facts of some two thousand years of Buddhism would require more than one volume.

During the last few years several important works dealing with the less explored regions of Buddhism have appeared. Dr. N. Dutt's Aspects of Mahayana Buddhism is more funda- mental than appears from the title, and in The Bodhisattva Doctrine in Buddhist Sanskrit Literature Dr. H. Dayal has devoted much intensive research to one special development. A general treatment has been begun by Dr. McGovern in his Manual of Buddhist Philosophy, vol. 1, and in An Introduc- tion to Mahayana Buddhism. From Dr. B. M. Barua we have Prolegomena to a History of Buddhistic Philosophy.

An account of a religion may be expected to begin with the biography of its founder. But in the case of Buddhism we are faced with the fact that all the biographies by ancient Buddhist authors are centuries later than the period of which they speak. They have all been composed after the time when the movement had broken up into separate schools, and they represent the traditions, often contradictory, preserved by these bodies, and modified in accordance with various dogmas concerning the nature of a Buddha and the means of winning release. The popular story of Buddha's life, as known to the West, is merely the modern version of one of these traditions, and it has been made plausible only by ignoring the other accounts and omitting all the marvels.