Contents: Preface. 1. The career. 2. Early spread of Buddhism. 3. Buddhist art in pre-Asokan era. 4. Buddhist and Hindu educational institutions. 5. Buddhism under Asoka and Later Mauryas (269-B.C.—188 B.C.) 6. Buddhism between fall of Mauryas and rise of Kushanas. 7. Profession of faith. 8. Four noble truths. 9. The noble eightfold path. 10. Dependent origination. 11. Perfection. 12. Morality. 13. Meditation. 14. Individuality and personality. 15. Action. 16. Buddhist amity. 17. Caste. 18. Norm (Dhamma). 19. Transformation of Buddhism. 20. Historic places. 21. The assessment. Index.

"The spread of Buddhism at the royal level was indeed a unique phenomenon. On account of its simplicity of action, morality, perfection, simple daily routine, Dhamma and religious preaching it did not take much time to spread among the masses of India.

"The theme containing 21 chapters deals several aspects of Buddhism in a comprehensive way. This work would be useful for social scientists, teachers, researchers and students of Buddhist study in India as well as abroad." (jacket)