Buddhist Monks and Monasteries of India

This book provides a detailed account of each stage of the development of these monasteries. These monks made a significant contribution to Buddhism literature by producing thousands of manuscripts. They were taken to distant countries such as Tibet and China and studied, translated, and then preserved. This book contains valuable historical information about the different aspects of Buddhist monasticism. –FR. John B. Chethimattam CIMITThe book is a treasure trove of rare illustrations that number twenty-four. It was printed beautifully, without any printing errors. The paper, get-up, binding and total production are all of the highest quality. –DR. R.L. VarshneyThe rare illustrations (24 in total) have made Varshney’s book a treasure. It was printed beautifully, without any printing errors. The paper, get-up, binding and total production are all of the highest quality. –DR. R.L. VarshneyThe rare illustrations (24 in total) have made Varshney’s book a treasure. It was printed beautifully, without any printing errors. The paper, get-up, binding and total production are all of the highest quality. –DR. R.L. Varshney
Although India is no longer considered a Buddhist country but Buddhism remained a major faith in India for almost seventeen centuries (500 B.C. – A.D. 1200). The activities and achievements of Buddhist monks in India have profoundly influenced the traditional culture. All over India, there are numerous monumental remnants of Buddhist monastic life. In the south, you will find Ajanta, a world-famous cave monastery, while in the north, you will find the ruins monastic edifices stretching from Taxila in west to Paharpur east. This book provides a unique history of the Buddhist monks in ancient India, including their activities, monastic establishments, and contributions to Indian culture. It is also the first time that such a detailed work has been published. In reconstructing the history emperors, kings, and early missionaries of Buddhism, the author used sources in four languages: Pali, Sanskrit Chinese, Tibetan, and Tibetan Contents.