The monograph consists of two parts, of which the first examines the Buddhist devotional practices, from the historical and canonical perspectives of the evolution of the worship of caitya, stupa, relics, symbols and images. It provides a multi-dimensional account of caitya, thupa, relic, symbol and image worship in Theravada Buddhist tradition, in the Sinhalese Vamsa literature and as depicted in the records of the prominent Chinese travellers to India. It throws light on the Buddhist stupa, the Buddha's relics viz, hair, nail, tooth and ashes; the symbols which pre-ceded the Buddha image viz., the bodhi-tree, wheel, bowl, staff, robe, crest, turban, shadow and the Buddha's foot-prints as the objects of devotion and worship and the objectives and benefits of such devotional acts.

Part two elucidates the rise and growth of Buddhist devotionalism in Sri Lanka with special reference to its ceremonies, rituals, pilgrimages as depicted in the devotional literature of Ceylon. Further, it provides an account of devotional Buddhism in Burma by tracing it antiquity; describes Buddha's relics, images and pagodas as the objects of veneration. Similarly, it makes a brief survey of Thai Buddhist devotionalism with special reference to wats, Thai offerings and prayers to Buddha images and their objectives. The work illuminates the historical and canonical significance of precept and practice of different aspects of Buddhist devotion and how they are demonstrated in the contemporary Buddhist religious life of Ceylon, Burma and Thailand.

Theravada Buddhist Devotionalism, V.V.S. Saibaba, D.K. Printworld Ltd. Hardback, 89 pp. $10.00

Dr. V.V.S. Saibaba Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Andhra Universeity, took his Master's Degree in Philosophy in 1973; Senior P.G. Diploma in Sanskrit in 1976 and Ph.D. Degree in 1985. During 1987 to 1989, he was Reader and Heqad of the Centre for Mahayana Buddhist Studies at Nagarjuna Universiety, A.P.

Foreword / Vijay Kumar Thakur
Prologue
PART I. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THERAVADA BUDDHIST DEVOTIONALISM
Introduction: Buddhist worship and devotional practices in Pali and Avadana Literature
1. Cetiya and Thupa-worship
2. Relic-worship
3. Symbol-worship
4. Image-worship

PART II. THERAVADA BUDDHIST DEVOTIONALISM IN CEYLON, BURMA AND THAILAND
5. Theravada, an organic whole
6. Buddhist devotionalism in Sri Lanka
7. Buddhist devotionalism in Burma
8. Buddhist devotionalism in Thailand
Epilogue
Bibliography Index: i. Buddhist works ii. Buddhist words and proper names.