Pourings In Verse Of The Buddhist Bhikkhus
For the First time edited in Devanàgari
EDITED BY
N. K. BHAGWAT, M. A.
Professor, St. Xavier’s College.
Fellow of the Bombay University
Bombay University Publications
(Devanagarì-Palì Texts Series, No.6)
BOMBAY
1939
PREFACE
Theragàthà or Pourings in verse of the Buddhist, Bhikkhus, forms one of the fifteen Books of the Khuddhakanikàyas and is now edited in Devanàgarì Characters in the series of Pàli Publications undertaken by the Univesity.
The Theragàthà is associated with another work named the Therìgàthà, which has been already published in this series and constitutes Text No: 4. the Bhikkunis also uttered in verse their reflections while they traversed the path, which led them to the attainment of Arhatship. These two works together have great value for us as showing the building up of the personality of these men and women of the Buddhist Reformation. They also throw a flood of light on the life and atmosphere of the Samgha, which is one of the three gems (Ratanas) of Buddhism. In this Preface we shall speak of the Theragàthà alone, but the Reader is advised to read the Preface of the Therigàthà side by side to realise a complete picture of Buddhist monasticism.
The Theragàthà Collection contains Thirty-six groups of verses and these verses number in all 1279, excluding the three verses of the Introduction. The verses are said to be the utterances of 264 Theras or Elders. These verses are grouped into Nipàtas, like Ekanipàta, Dukanipàta, till they are made to number upto the Satthika nipàta, although this sequence is not regular and we have noted down the absent Nipàtas at the end of every Nipàta.
CONTENTS
Books suggested for consultation and further study
Preface
- Enclosures to the Preface: -
I.
II.
(Nature Descriptions)…
III.
Text in the Devanàgarì
Appendix
Index of Theras