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Hence the importance of the Nikayas can neither be gainsaid nor exaggerated. In fact, this work contains an outline study of the four Nikayas, namely, Dighanikaya, Majjhimanikaya, Samyuttanikaya, and Anguttaranikaya, which belong to the Theravada Pali Canon, on some select aspects in five chapters and three appendices treating of the age of the Nikayas, comparative study between the Sanskrit/Chinese Agamas and Pali Nikayas, their language, Buddha's discourses to the laity, teachings of Early Buddhism under the threefold division of Sila, Samadhi and Panna, discussions on administrative, social and economic conditions of ancient India, historical and geographical materials found in the Nikayas, mutual relations of the treatment of similes in these texts. It also includes brief contents of the Suttas of those Nikayas. In the present work, on the whole, an attempt has been made to introduce the first four Nikaya texts in their entirety.
An Analytical Study of Four Nikayas, Dipak Kumar Barua, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers, 626 pages, $40.00
CONTENTS: An Analytical Study of Four Nikayas
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Foreword
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ix
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Preface to the Second Edition
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xiii
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Preface to the First Edition
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xv
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Acknowledgements
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xviii
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CHAPTER ONE
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THE FOUR NIKAYAS
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1
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Probable time of compilation of the four Nikayas
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1
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Nikayas and Agamas compared
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8
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Language of the Nikayas
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30
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CHAPTER TWO
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DISCOURSES TO THE LAITY
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64
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Introductory Discussion
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64
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Definitions of Gahapati and Upasaka
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68
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Ethical
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75
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Religious
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88
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Secular Discources
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107
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Jaina Discources Compared
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117
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CHAPTER THREE
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DISCOURCES ON SILA, SAMADHI AND PANNA
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121
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Introductory Discussion
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121
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Sila
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125
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Samadhi
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142
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Panna
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159
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CHAPTER FOUR
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DISCUSSIONS ON SECULAR MATTERS--ADMINISTRATIVE, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC
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175
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Origin of State
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175
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Kingship
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194
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Republican Form of Government
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201
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Military Administration
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214
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Rural Administration
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220
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Caste
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223
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Classes of People
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235
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Slavery
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236
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Marriage and Position of Women
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238
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Offences and Punishments
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240
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General Life
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241
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Agriculture
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252
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Industry
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260
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Seaproducts
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265
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Trade and Commerce
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265
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Famine
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269
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CHAPTER FIVE
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HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS IN THE NIKAYAS
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272
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Anga
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272
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Magadha
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279
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Kasi
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289
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Kosala
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290
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Vajji
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294
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Malla
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299
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Cedi
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302
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Vamsa
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303
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Kuru
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305
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Pancala
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306
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Maccha
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307
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Surasena
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307
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Assaka
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308
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Avanti
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309
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Gandhara
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301
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Kamboja
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310
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Clans and Peoples
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314
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Conception of Jambudipa
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323
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Physiography
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325
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Divisions of India
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327
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Physical Features
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336
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Places Mentioned
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348
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APPENDIX ONE
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Mutual Relations of the Four Nikayas
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367
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APPENDIX TWO
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Treatment of Similes in the Four Nikayas
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376
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APPENDIX THREE
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Brief Contents of the Suttas in the Four Nikayas
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403
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Select Bibliography
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597
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Index to Names
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609
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Index to Subjects
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618
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