Sakyas in Buddhist Thought

The volume deals with the Shakya disciples of the Buddha: their teachings and lives. It discusses various aspects of the life of Shakya disciples (bhikkus and bhikkunis) in a simple manner. Referring to literature in Tibetan, Sanskrit, Chinese, Pali, Nepalese among others and Buddhist literature including dynastic records and religious texts. It begins by taking up the republics that existed at the time of the Buddha in the northern Indian region. It is concerned with how the Shakyas responded to the mendicant Buddha and the manner in which Shakya men and women contributed to the spread of Buddhism. It examines the role of some noted figures in Buddhist history and their contribution to abolition of caste and other barriers and establishing rights of women.