When Did the Buddha Live?: Controversy on the Dating of the Historical Buddha - Selected Papers Based on a Symposium Held Under Auspices of the ... v. 165 (Bibliotheca Indo-Buddhica S.)

Book Title: The Date of the Historical Buddha
Author: Heinz Bechert
Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications
Language: English
Edition: 1995
ISBN: 9788170304692
Pages: 387
Cover: Hardcover
Dimensions: 29 cm x 22 cm

About the Book

The Date of the Historical Buddha is a comprehensive and updated exploration of the crucial question in Indology: the exact date of the Buddha's death (Parinirvana) and its implications for early Indian history and world historiography. This volume presents an extensive survey of the state of research on the topic, largely based on the findings of a symposium convened at the Akademie der Wissenschaften in Göttingen, Germany.

The book delves into the complexities surrounding the historical dating of the Buddha, an issue that has caused considerable debate and confusion among scholars. The text highlights the importance of determining the correct date for the Buddha's Parinirvana for both Buddhist chronology and the broader understanding of ancient Indian and Southeast Asian history, particularly the Theravada tradition.

The contributions within the book come from an esteemed group of scholars including Heinz Bechert, Siglinde Dietz, Jens-Uwe Hartmann, Heinz Braun, Hajime Nakamura, and many others. These papers examine various aspects of Buddhist chronology, offering a critical analysis of historical sources, methodologies, and findings.

The volume also includes an exhaustive bibliography of relevant literature and provides insights into the different chronological approaches, such as the corrected long chronology (around 480 B.C.) and the variations proposed by Japanese scholars. With contributions translated into English, this book serves as a significant resource for scholars, historians, and anyone interested in the development of Buddhist studies and early Indian history.

This work continues the important discussion of the Buddha's historical date and its impact on Indian and world history, addressing various scholarly perspectives and offering new insights into the subject. It stands as an essential reference for understanding the foundation of Buddhist chronology and its ongoing debates.