Buddhist Heterodoxy of Abhayagiri Sect: A Study of the School of Abhayagiri in Ancient Sri Lanka - Softcover

Chandawimala, Rangama

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3659436453 ISBN 13: 9783659436451

Publisher: LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, 2013

Synopsis

This book presents a comprehensive study of the Abhayagiri Fraternity of ancient Sri Lanka, with a special reference to its new Buddhist practices and trends, which made a great contribution to the development of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It involves a consideration of both primary and secondary literary sources, and also takes into account archaeological findings, epigraphic material and liturgical artifacts. It contains a detailed examination of how the Abhayagiri School adopted heterodoxy Buddhism of other Buddhist traditions apart from the orthodox Theravada teachings and practices. The Mahavihara and the Abhayagiri both accepted the Pali Tipitaka as authoritative texts, but the Abhayagiri went a further step by accepting some non-Theravada teachings including Vaitulyavada (Mahayana) and Vajiriyavada (Vajrayana), in marked contrast to the Mahavihara ideology. A number of political, social, historical and doctrinal issues caused for this changing. Although the Abhayagiri School developed a number of new doctrinal and philosophical ideas, this work mainly focuses on the practical issues rather than its philosophical aspects.

About this title

About the Author:

Ven.Dr.Rangama Chandawimala is a young Buddhist scholar from Sri Lanka. He graduated from the University of Kelaniya and obtained B.A. (Hon) and M.A. in Buddhist Philosophy. He also obtained M.A. and PhD in Buddhist Studies from the University of Hong Kong. He has been serving as an Assistant Professor at Buddhist College of Singapore since 2008.

About this edition

• Publisher: LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 3659436453
• ISBN 13: 9783659436451
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 216