SOAS Research Online

Abstract

The object of the thesis is-to investigate the position of the Mahavagga in early Baddhism by a comparative study. The method of comparison is to consider (a) internal evidence in relation to its composition and to other parts of the Canon, and (b) external evidence in relation to identical products of the Mulasarvastivadins. Occasionally reference has been made to varieus literary works of a similar type. The whole work is divided into three main sections, viz., an Introduction; (2) a study of the Gilgit Manuscripts, and (3) the Conclusion. The introductory section deals with the ten chapters of the Mahavagga, their general character, contents, arrangement, respective importance and inter relation, and a short comment on the Gilgit Manuscripts. The second section is a comparative study of the ten vastus of the Gilgit Manuscripts which are the Sanskrit versions of the corresponding ten chapters of the Pali Mahavagga, and on which our main interest has been concentrated in the course of our investigation. The summary at the end of each vastu points out the most marked agreements and differences between the two versions. The final chapter of the thesis attempts to define the position of the Gilgit Manuscripts in the Vinaya tradition, as represented by the Pali as well as Buddhist Sanskrit and Chinese, and dwells upon its specific Avadana character, as contrasted with the simplicity of the Pali Mahavagga.