The Biographical Scripture of King Asoka (BDK English Tripitaka) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0962561843 ISBN 13: 9780962561849

Publisher: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2006

Synopsis

In the Chinese Tripitaka there are two texts giving legendary accounts of the life of King Ashoka, the third Maurya ruler of Magadha. The first is the Biography of King Ashoka. The second text is Samghapala's Chinese translation of the Sutra of King Ashoka in ten fascicles, upon which the present English translation is based.

This biographical work gives accounts of the major events in the life of King Ashoka that are historically verifiable through comparative studies of reliable written records and archeological findings. Although the exact date of the original text is unascertainable, it may be said that it was composed no earlier than 184 B.C.E, when the Maurya dynasty collapsed, because this event is evident in the work.

Besides recounting the major events in the life of King Ashoka, this work devotes half of its space to stories concerning the six patriarchs who succeeded the Buddha in transmitting the Dharma: Mahakasyapa, Ananda, Madhyantika, Sanakavasin, Upagupta, and Dhitika. It also includes some stories for the elucidation of the Dharma.

About this title

About the Author:

The BDK English Tripitaka Series was started by the late Dr. Rev. Yehan Numata, founder of the Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK) [Society for the Promotion of Buddhism]. The goal of this series is to make available in the English language the Buddhist scriptures and commentaries of the Sino-Japanese edition of the "Taisho Tripitaka." Scholars and specialists from throughout the world have been enlisted to translate the selected texts into English. When completed, the one-hundred eight volumes will comprise the First Series of the BDK English Tripitaka.

About this edition

• Publisher: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0962561843
• ISBN 13: 9780962561849
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 204