Ancient Buddhist Monasteries : India and Nepal/S. Gajrani. 1998, 211 p., Col. plates, $24. ISBN 81-85163-91-X.
Contents: Preface. 1. Buddhism. 2. Bodh-Gaya from Buddhist point of view. 3. Monasteries and temples. 4. Rajgir: an ancient Babylon. 5. Buddhism in Nepal. Appendix. Index.
From the preface: "The foundation of Buddhism in our sub-continent is an histroic phenomenon. Based on truth, purity of life, non-possession and moral character of the highest degree, it began to spread in several regions of India, Nepal, Ceylon and South-East Asia. The monks and nuns who preached the religious principles of Buddha with their abodes in monasteries showed the way to the people towards a pure domestic life and moral dealings of humanity. As a result of their efforts, several religious centres came into existence in India and Nepal as mentioned in this text.
"The theme deals with the foundation and spread of Buddhism, Bodh-Gaya from Buddhist point of view, monasteries and temples, Rajgir: an ancient Babylon, Buddhism in Nepal, art and architecture used in monasteries and last but not the least, the life of monks and nuns in monasteries."
[S. Gajrani is a Senior Reader in the Department of History, Punjabi University.]