Buddhists oftentend to disregard economics completely, because the monastic may of life idealised by Buddhism is economically very minimilist. Such neglect of comment concerning economic values is not warranted, however, because the Buddhist scriptures are in fact rich with advice from the Buddha regarding values.

The book presents a detailed account of the socio-economic, geo-political and ethico-religious conditions of the country.

Dr. Indra Narain Singh, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Buddhist Studies Delhi University since 1996, obtained his Doctorate on A Study of Universal Flux in Theravada Buddhism.

Dr. Singh has published a number of articles and is a regular contributor to various journals and magazines of national and international repute. He has also edited The Journals of Buddhist Studies.

Religions, it is often observed, are products of fear. This fear is in turn based on ignorance. With the dawn of wisdom and the ever-expanding horizons of knowledge, faith and confidence in religions begin to evaporate, like morning mist under the rising sun.

Not so with Buddhism. Buddhism is a result of the human quest for the ultimate truth, an aspiration for that which is the highest and noblest in life. It is based on the Buddha's wisdom, on his enlightenment, attained through the complete eradication of ignorance, fear and all other defilements from his mind. His teachings, called the Dhamma (Sanskrit: Dharma), have stood the test of time for more than twenty-five centuries.

One of the most outstanding features of Buddhism is its total independence of divine elements. It is a religion of self help. According to Buddhism, human beings should learn to be self-reliant and to have faith in their own ability. Buddhist philosophy is anthropocentric in its outlook and practical implementation, placing man at the center of its metaphysical and ethical systems. It is a religion that insists primarily on man's own effort and perseverance to achieve his goals, be they material or spiritual, rather than prayer or wishful thinking.

**Contents and Sample Pages**