In this work, after a careful scientific investigation of the Hinayana Schools of Buddhism and their texts, particularly through the determination of a Vinaya text (Skandaka) belonging to the first half of the 4th cent. B.C., the A. has established a firm basis for the history of the earliest Buddhist literature. At the same time the development of the biography of the Buddha has been clarified and a starting point has been found for a criticism of the origin of Buddhist church history and its historical value. Lastly, an appendix presents an interesting picture of the tradition and structure of the extant Vinaya works of the different schools and of their Chinese translations.

Contents:

Preface, p. IX

1. The Schools of Buddhism and the Missions of Asoka, p. 1

2. Sarvastivadin and Mulasarvastivadin, p. 24

3. The Origin of the Skandhaka, p. 42

4. Structure and Contents of the Old Skandhaka Text, p. 68

5. The Sources of the Old Skandhaka Text and the Earliest Bud-dhist Tradition, p. 130

6. The Biography of the Buddha and the Beginnings of the Bud-dhist Church History, p. 155

Appendix: Tradition and Structure of the Extant Vinaya Works, p. 172

Index, p. 209

Table of Contents, p. 219