The book gives a short account of Buddhism in the last 2500 years. The foreword for the book was written by Dr. Radhakrishnan, world renowned philosopher. The book contains 16 chapters and about one hundred articles written by eminent Buddhist scholars from India, China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Nepal.

Buddhism is a way of life of purity in thinking speaking and acting. This book gives an account of Buddhism not only in India but also in other countries of the East. Detailed and insightful glimpse into the different schools and sects of Buddhism find a place in this book. Buddhist ideas on education and the prevailing state of Buddhism as revealed by their Chinese pilgrims who visited India during that times are other components of the book. Chapters on Buddhist art in India and abroad and places of Buddhist interest are also included to give it a holistic perspective.

The spirit of Buddha comes alive in the book and enlightens the readers with his teaching so essential now for peace in the strife-torn world.

2500 Years of Buddhism, Compiled by P.V. Bapat, South Asia Books, Paperback,
439 pages, $18.00

P. V. Bapat, Ph.D (Harvard), was Professor of Ancient Indian Culture, Pali, and Buddhism at Poona University. Besides making editions of Pali texts, he translated into English the Shan-chien-p`i-p`o-sha, the Chinese version the of Samantapasadika, in collaboration with A. Hirakawa.