The present work is designed to consist of a group of organically connected historical studies relating to the origins of Buddhism. It is the doctrinal rather than the institutional aspect of Buddhism that is mainly considered. The subject matter is for the greater part of a literary and religio-philosophic character, but the treatment is intended to be primarily historical. The whole work attempts to trace the rise and evolution of early Buddhist literature and thought both as an inner cultural process and an external process of actions of individuals and monastic communities. This is one of the rare works combining textual criticism, philosophical bent and historical approach and is undoubtedly one of the most valuable additions to the extensive literature on Buddhism in recent decades. --Ajay Mitra Shastri, Nagpur Times, September 16th, 1984 I was surprised to know how excellent the work was. It is, needed, a wonder! ...I was struck by your enormous efforts and strictly scholarly attitude. --Prof. Hajime Nakamura, Tokyo University The writer has succeeded in producing a valuable work of outstandig merit. There can be no question about the amount of learning displayed in the thesis and about the critical insight evident in every chapter of the same. --M.M. Dr.Gopinath Kaviraj, Banaras Govind Chandra Pande was a well-known Indian historian of the Vedic and the Buddhist periods. He served as a professor of ancient history and vice-chancellor at Jaipur and Allahabad universities. He was also the chairman of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla for several years, the Chairman of Allahabad Museum Society and the Chairman of Central Tibetan Society, Sarnath, Varanasi. He edited several volumes of ancient history in the Project of History of Indian Science, Philosophy and Culture. Some of his other works include Life and Thought of Sankaracharya, Bauddha Dharma ke Vikas ka Itihas, Apohasiddhi, Nyayabindu, Mulya Mimamsa, Vaidik Samskriti, and Meaning Process of Culture.