Book Description

The idea of writing this book was in my mind while I was interested in the study of Buddhism at Taisho University, Tokyo. Then I had a chance of studying in India Cultural Scholarship Student in 1959, and Joined the Department of Buddhist Studies, Delhi University. I studies the Buddhist scriptures written in Sanskrit, Pali and Tibetan. There were many names of Bhikkhus, Bhikkhunis, lay-followers, named of towns, mountains and rivers which I never had seen by my eyes. During my three years stay in India I visited almost all Buddhist excavated sights, read books and talked with scholars. I come to the conclusion that every sights, traditions, myths and even superstitions mentioned in those scriptures are true and real. The most impressive sight was a scene in Sutta Nipata "on the bank of River Mahi/ I made a Hut to live Cow gave milk now/ O Heaven Give Us Rain." Just the same scene appeared before my eyes. At the foot of Himalaya mountain I visited Lumbini, the scene was just the same as shown in the scripture. Nearly 70 years has passed. I visit India two to three time even now, but still I never forget my first visit. This book is the result of literal archaeological, epigraphical studies including Buddhist scriptures, Puranas, itihasasand and Jaina materials.