The Aryan Path of the Buddha/K. Manohar Gupta. New Delhi, Sundeep
Prakashan, 2005, xx, 512 p., ISBN 81-7574-156-2.
The Aryan Path of the Buddha/K. Manohar Gupta. New Delhi, Sundeep
Prakashan, 2005, xx, 512 p., ISBN 81-7574-156-2.
Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. The significance of Ariya. 3. The Ariyan eightfold path. 4. Wheel of Dhamma. 5. Proving through similes (Upama) and possibility (Thanam). 6. The middle path, devoid of extremes. Appendices. Bibliography. Index.
"In Buddhism, special emphasis is laid on the practice of the teachings of the Buddha and that practice chiefly consists of traversing the middle path. That middle path is known as Aryan eightfold path, while the entire teachings of the master are labelled with the name of aryadharma.
The book makes a serious attempt to go into the reasons why the master called his dharma as aryadharma. Tracing the meaning of the word arya and dharma from both the points of view, historical as well as philosophical, and also comparing the path described by the master with the ancient way of Indian life, a new purpose emerges that encourages any serious student to embark upon the path of practice shown by the master. However, even after the passing of several centuries of time after the master's departure from this earth, the voice of the master echoes in the words, 'attadipo viharatha', be lamp unto yourselves.
After going through the book, the reader will certainly come face to face with the truths that are refreshing and create a new enthusiasm for following the teachings of the master which are encased in the ancient language of Pali." (jacket)