Discourses in Buddhist Classics is primarily designed with twofold objective viz., (a) to serve as the tool for post-graduate teaching of the Course in "Philosophy of the Buddha"; and (b) to sustain the interest of the enterprising student by providing comprehensive understanding of Theravada and Mahayana schools of Buddhism.

Divided into six chapters, the first chapter gives an account of the missionary life and object of Buddha's teachings from Pali and Sanskrit sources; the second surveys the evolution of Pali language and its significant contribution; the third and fourth provide a brief sketch of Pali Tripitakas, the salient features as well as the Philosophical doctrines of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism by comparison and contrast. The last two chapters discuss the historiography of the two representative Buddhist Classics each from Thervada and Mahayana philosophical schools of Buddhism viz., Dhammapada, Sutta-Nipata, Vajracchedika Prajnaparamita and Saddharma Pundarika Sutra while throwing light on their central teachings.

This work serves as a useful companion for the scholars and researchers who are seriously interested in the history of Buddhist literature; who wish to probe into Buddhist Textual Studies and who desire to have a lucid understanding of the philosophy of the two major Buddhist traditions of Theravada and Mahayana.

Foreword -- Angraj Chaudhary
Preface
Transliteration Chart

1. Life and Mission of Gautama Buddha

Life of the Buddha
Buddha's Missionary Life
Mission of the Buddha

2. Origin and Development of the Pali Language

Definitions of the word Pali
Date and Antiquity of the Pali Language
Theories on the Evolution of the Pali
Views of Scholars on the original home of Pali language
Stages in the development of Pali language
Contribution of Scholars and Institutions to Pali Language and Literature
Significance of the Study of Pali Language

3. The Tripitaka Literature

Vinaya Pitaka
Sutta Pitaka
Abhidhamma Pitaka

4. Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism
Salient features of Theravada
Doctrine of Dependent Origination
Doctrine of Non-self (Anatta)
Doctrine of Karma and Rebirth
Doctrine of four Noble Truths
Doctrine of Noble Eight-Fold Path
Mahayana Buddhism
Emergence of Mahayana, its home and antiquity
Meaning and Justification of the term Mahayana
Salient features of Mahayana Buddhism
Points of Agreement between Theravada and Mahayana
Principal differences between Theravada and Mahayana

5.Theravada Buddhist Classics

I. Dhammapada 

Introduction
Venerable or Arhat
Awakened or Buddha
Way or Magga
Mendicant or Bhikkhu 

II. Sutta-Nipata

Introduction
Central Teachings
Uraga Vagga : Rhinoceros Sutta (Khaggavisana Sutta)
Book of Octades (Atthaka Vagga)
Book of the Way-Across (Parayana Vagga)

6. Mahayana Buddhist Classics

I. Vajracchedika Prajnaparamita-Sutra

Introduction
Central Teachings
Ideal of Bodhisattva
Characteristics of the conditional Phenomena

II. Saddharma-Pundarika-Sutra

Introduction
Central Teachings
Ideal of the Tathagata
Doctrine of Universal Salvation
Buddha-hood as the highest goal of Perfection
Doctrine of One Vehicle (Eka-yana)
Role of Bodhisattvas as Enlighteners and Saviours
Doctrine of Salvation by Faith and Devotion
Philosophical significance of the Parables  
Parable of the Burning House
Parable of the Prodigal Son
Parable of Plants
Parable of Blind man and the Physician
Parable of Physician and his sons

Bibliography
Index of Pali and Sanskrit Works
Index of Technical Terms and Proper Names