CONTENTS
I The Life of the Buddha:
The Birth – The Naming Ceremony – The Ploughing Festival – Prince Siddhattha’s Youth – Renunciation – The Search – His Struggle for Enlightenment – The Temptation of Mara the Evil one – TV- Middle Path – The Enlightenment
II Soon After the Enlightenment
A Paean of Joy – The Seven Weeks after the Enlightenment – The First Two Converts
III The Buddha Propounds His Dhamma
Invitation to teach the Dhamma – On the Way to Benares – The Five Monks
IV The First Discourse
(Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta)
V The Sending of the Missioners
The Conversion of Yasa – Exhortation to the First Missionary – Conversion of Thirty Young Men – Conversion of the three Kassapa Brothers – The Buddha meets King Bimbissra – Conversion of Sariputta and Mọggallãna
VI The Buddha Visits His Birthplace
King Suddhodana desires to see the Buddha- The Buddha goes on His Alms-Round: The King sees the Light – Princess Yasodharã – His stepbrother Nanda – Rãhtila – Ananda – Devadatta
VII The Buddha’s Ministry
The First 20 year – The Order of Nuns: Pajapati Gotami – Augulimãla – Anathapiridika – Visãkha
VIII The Buddha’s.’ Daily Routine
Forenoon Session – Afternoon Session – First Watch – Middle Watch – Last Watch
IX The Buddha’s Greatness
Buddha and the Caste System – Buddha and Women – His Tolerance towards Dumb Animals – His Greatness
X The Buddha’s Parinibbana
Mara – An Exhortation – Venerable Dhammarama’s High Regard for the Buddha – The Buddha’s Last Meal – His Last Convert – The Last Scene – The Last Moment
XI Kamma
What is Kamma? – Vipãka (effect) – Kusala Kamma – Akusala Kamma – The Cause of Karama – The Doer of Kamma – Where is Kamma? – Classification of Kamma – Is Everything due to Kamma? – Five Niyãms
XII Rebirth
Reasons to believe in a Past Birth I The Cause of this Rebirth Process: The Wheel of Life – Modes of Birth and Death – Four Modes of Birth – Planes of Existence I How Rebirth takes place – What is it that is Reborn? No – Soul – Pancakkhandha – How is Rebirth possible without a Soul to be Reborn?
XIII The Four Noble Truths
XIV Nibbana
Definition – Is Nibbana Nothingness? – Sopãdisesa and Anupãdisesa Nibbana Dhãtu – Three Distinct Characteristics of Nibbana – Where is Nibbana? – What attains Nibbãna?
XV The Noble Eightfold Path
Sĩla – Samadhi – Pahha – Five Supernormal Powers – Sotâpanna-Sakadăgâmi, Anãgãmi – Arahant – Ten Fetters (Samyojana)
XVI Nivarana Or Hindrances
XVII The Three Councils
The First Council – Tripitaka – The Second Council – Ten Unlawful Points – The Third Council
XVIII Asoka And His Missions
Asoka’s family – Asoka becomes King – His Conversion to Buddhism – Asoka’s Missioners – Places they visited – Mission to Ceylon
XIX Mangala Sutta (Blessings)
XX Parabhava Sutta (Downfall)
XXI Metta Sutta (Loving – Kindness)
XXII Vyagghapajja Sutta
Causes of Worldly Progress – Causes of Spiritual Progress
Questions
Index