Lalitavistara and the Evolution of Buddha Legend

Book

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Descriptionངོ་སྤྲོད།

Lalitavistara once the holy book of Tibetans, deals with the life of Buddha in Mahayana. the difference of life-events of the Teacher between this and other works has been brought forth by the author Dr. Sarla Khosla with great efforts. Out of stray references she has woven the political and social conditions of the era. All the Mahayana aspects of Buddhism found in this work have also been highlighted. In Mara Legend, the author has found the different prevailing religious sects, which has perhaps been done for the first time in the history of Buddhism. (Source: back cover)

Citation

Khosla, Sarla, trans. Lalitavistara and the Evolution of Buddha Legend. Delhi: Galaxy Publications, 1991.

Texts Translated

Lalitavistarasūtra - Āryalalitavistaranāmamahāyānasūtra - ('Phags pa rgya cher rol pa zhes bya ba theg pa chen po'i mdo). (D 95) mdo sde kha 1.b–216.b. (vol. 46). rKTs, Columbia AIBS, ACIP, .

Translation of

Lalitavistarasūtra

The Play in Full tells the story of how the Buddha manifested in this world and attained awakening, as perceived from the perspective of the Great Vehicle. The sūtra, which is structured in twenty-seven chapters, first presents the events surrounding the Buddha’s birth, childhood, and adolescence in the royal palace of his father, king of the Śākya nation. It then recounts his escape from the palace and the years of hardship he faced in his quest for spiritual awakening. Finally the sūtra reveals his complete victory over the demon Māra, his attainment of awakening under the Bodhi tree, his first turning of the wheel of Dharma, and the formation of the very early saṅgha. (Source: 84000)

Text

List of Illustrations x
Preface xi

1. The Life of Buddha 1
2. Māra Legend and Minor Sects 35
3. Political Condition 51
4. Social Condition 59
5. Religion 81

Bibliography 126
Index 139