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BPFE-101: Pre-Buddhist Indian Thought
A general knowledge of the major philosophical tendencies in pre-Buddhist India with a
greater emphasis on the following topics is expected here.
Vedic hymns and their philosophical import; the nature of the Vedic concept of god;
Vedis attitude towards speculation and criticism; Vedic cosmology; Vedic analysis of the
relationship between the world and the Absolute Vedic conceptions of Kamma and
rebirth; Upanisadic critique of the Vedic philosophy; Upanisadic view of reason , doubt,
metaphysical theories and the means of knowledge; the Upanisadic concepts of Aunan
and Brahman; ethical and psychological teachings in the Upanisads; materialist schools
and their teachings; the means of knowledge accepted be materialists ; a general
knowledge of Sankya,Yoga and Nyaya philosophies; skeptical interpretations of the logic
of four alternatives; Jainism and Ajivikism; Syadvada of the Jains; Jain analysis of
Reason and Knowledge; the psychological and metaphysical views of the Jains; Four-fold
restraint ( Catuyamasamvara) and the theory of annihilating the Kamma
( Kammakkhayavada) ; the causal theory of Ajivikas; Ajivika view on reason, mystical
intuition and tradition ; the Trairasika Ajivikas.
RECOMMENDED READING:
1. A History of Indian Buddhism , S.R.Goyal ,Kusumanjali Prakasan Meorul – 1987
2. Early Buddhist Theory of Knowledge , K.N. Jayatilake, Motilal Banarsidas, Delhi
, 1980
3. Buddhist Philosophy , D.J. Kalupahana , Hawaii – 1976
4. Development in the Early Buddhist Concept of Kamma Mc Dermott James Paul,
Munshiram Manoharlal , New Delhi- 1981
5. Indian Buddhism , A.K.Warder , Motilal Banarsidas, Delhi-1970
BPFE 102 – Emergence of Buddhism and Basic Buddhist Teachings
Religious and philosophical background and basic Buddhist teachings embodied in the
Pali Canon should be studied here.
1. The following topics are emphasized for the religious and philosophical
background of Buddhism.
Pre-Buddhist paths of emancipation and traditional means of knowledge;
Pre-Buddhist teaching of Dhyana and Samapati;
Pre-Buddhist beliefs in Kamma,
Rebirth and the concept of soul; origin, evolution and objectives of the
ascetic movement;
Metaphysical and Non-empirical concepts;
Six religious teachers and their life stories and philosophies;
Self-indulgence and self-mortification (Kamasukhallikanuyoaga and
Attakilamathanuyoga); skeptical and materialist tendencies.
2. The following topics are emphasized for the basic teachings embodied in the Pali
Canon.

Three characteristics of existence; four noble truths; interdependent
origination;
Analysis of Khanda, Dhatu and Ayatana; Kamma; rebirth;
Buddhist analysis of Sasvatavada and Ucchedavada;
Attention should also be paid to the Buddhist analysis of the following
topics: world and its inhabitants; sense perception; psychology; ethics;
reason, revelation and experience.
Four fold analysis of questions and the Buddhist attitude towards language
should also be studied here.
RECOMMENDED READING:
1. What the Buddha Taught , W Rahula, Buddhist Missionary Society, Kuala
Lumpur , Malaysia – 1978
2. Early Buddhist Theory Of Knowledge , K.N. Jayatilake, Motilal Banarsidas ,
Delhi-1980
3. Causality : The central Philosophy of Buddhism , D.J.Kalupahana, Honolulu ,
The University , press of Hawai –1975
4. History of Buddhist thought, E.J.Thomas , London-1953
5. The Buddha’s Anicient Path , Piyadasi Thera , Taiwan-1995
BCFE-101 : Pre – Buddhist Indian Culture
Candidates are expected to posses a detailed knowledge on the Indian Culture from the
age of the Indus Valley Civilization up to the time of the Buddha.
Special focus should be in the followings:
1. Indian culture before the advent of Aryans.
2. Evolution of the religious , social and literary aspects of the Vedic Brahmanic
Culture upto the Upanishadic
3. Evolution of Sramanic culture and its characteristics
4. Political, economic and social conditions during the time of the Buddha
5. Nature of the Brahmanic thought during the time of the Buddha
6. Teachings of the six religious teachers contemporary to the Buddha
RECOMMENDED READING:
1. Hinduism and Buddhism, C.Eliot, London, 1957
2. The Wander That was India, A.L.Basham, London, 1957
3. Indian Philosophy, Vol.1, S.Radhakrishnan, London, 1958
4. History of Indian Philosophy, Vol I S.Das Gupta, Cambridge, 1963
5. The Origin and the Early Development of Buddhist Monachism,
Patricia Olivelle, Gunasena, Colombo, 1974
6. Indian Buddhism, A.K. Warder, Delhi 1980
7. Studies in the Origins of Buddism,G.C.Pande, Deihi, 1983
8. Early Buddhism and Its Origins, V.P.Verma, New Delhi, 1973
BCFE-102 : Origins of Buddhism and the Basic Concepts of Culture

A systematic knowledge on the early period of Buddhist civilization is expected with
special emphasis on the topics given below :
1. Buddhist critique of its religio-philosophic environment
2. Special Characteristics of the life of the Buddha
3. Fundamental teachings of Buddhism : The Buddhist theory pertaining to the nature
of sentient being ; the true nature if empirical exsistence according to Buddhism ;
Buddhist analysis of perception , mind and matter ; the Buddhist teaching on
Critical outlook , universal love , adaptability, Democratic nature.
4. Social, political and economic thought in Buddhism.
RECOMMENDED READING:
1. Studies in the Origin of Buddhism , G.C. Pande , Delhi ,1983
2. Buddhist Thought in India, E.Conze , London , 1982
3. A Theory of Causality in Early Buddhism , W.S. Karunaratne , Colombo , 1988
4. Buddhist Philosophy: A Historical Analysis , D.J. Kalupahana, Honolulu , 1976.
PFE.101. Introduction to Pali Grammar
A general knowledge of Pali grammar necessary to understand the prose and verse
written in Pali is expected in this paper. The candidates are advised to have to ability to
analyze the words in Pali Language.
Pali nouns, verbs , indieclinables , combinations , compounds and sentence patterns
should be studied for this purpose. The competence in translating the given prose and
verse passages correctly should also be acquired here.
RECOMMENDED READING.
1. The New Pali Course , Vol 1-2 , A.P.Buddhadatta Thera , Colombo , 1954-62
2. Pali made easy , B.Ananda Maitreya Thera Japan , 1993
3. A Pali Reader, Denes Andersen, Copenhagen 1935
4. Pali Buddhist Texts, Rune E.A. Johanson, London, 197.
PFE.102.Prescribed Texts-1
Comprehension and contents of the following texts are emphasized here. The textual
contexts of the prescribed texts in relation to the Pali Canon should be recognized.
The ability to translate the passages quoted from the prescribed texts grammatically with
the correct meaning into English will also be examined.
Prescribed texts :
Samyutanikaya - Devaputta Samyutta
Anguttaranikaya - Catukkanipata
Bhandagama Vagga,
Cakka Vagga,
Mahavagga - Mahakkhandaka,
Cullavagga - Bhikkunikkhandaka

RECOMMENDED READING:
1. A History of Indian Literature , Vol 2 , M.Winternitz. Motilal Banarsidas , Delhi ,
1983
2. A History of Indian Literature , Vol 1 B.C. Law
BPGE 201 - PHILOSOPHY OF EARLY HISTORY
BUDDHIST SCHOOLS
A comprehensive study of the Sthaviravada and Mahasanghika schools of Buddhism
which came into existence after the second council and their philosophical teachings are
expected with special attention to the following subjects.
The relationship between the philosophical trends in the Buddhist thought appearing in
the Suttapitaka and the Buddhist thought of the early schools of Buddhism; different
views of Dharmavada and their various revisions; analysis of mind and sense perception;
analysis of matter and atomism; the concept of time and the theory of momentariness;
analysis and synthesis of Dhamma; divisions of truths as conventional and absolute and
their mutual relationship; Nibbana and its sectarian interpretations.
RECOMMENDED READING
Cebtral Conception of Buddhism - K. Stcherbatsky, Calcutta, 1956
Early History of the Spread of Buddhism and Buddhist School - N. Dutt, New
Delhi, 1980
Guide Through the Abhidhamma Pitaka – Nanatiloka, Colombo, 1957
Indian Buddhism - A. K. Warder, Delhi, 1980
Points of Controversy (Kathavatthu) - Trs. S. Z. Aung and Mrs. Rhys Davids.
London, 1958
2500 Years of Buddhism - Ed. P. V. Bapat, Delhi, 1956
System of Buddhist Thought - Yamakami Sogen, Calcutta, 1912
BPGE 202 - PHILOSOPHY OF MAHAYANA BUDDHIST
SCHOOLS
A critical study of the origin, expansion and philosophy of Mahayana Buddhist schools
with reference to the original sources is expected here. In this study special attention is
drawn to the following topics.
1. Canonical evidence of the causes that led to the emergence of Mahayana; the
interpretation of the word Mahayana and the nature of its philosophy
2. Origin and development of Madhyamaka philosophy; concept of Sunyata and its
interpretations; Madhyamaka viewpoint of voidness; interdependent origination;

Middle path; Samsara and Nibbana; dialectical method and its adaptation; nature
and realization of unconditioned realities.
3. Special attention should be paid to the concepts of Trikaya, Bodhicitta,
Bodhisatva pranidhana, ideal of Bodhisatva, perfections (paramita) and ten states
(dasabhumi)
4. The causes that led to the emergence of Yogacara vignanavada; analysis of Citta
matrata and Vignanamatrata; various divisions, nature and function of vignanta
and how vignana differs from cittamatrata.
A general knowledge of the basic tenets and nature of Tantrayana which is an offshort of
Mahayana is also expected here.
RECOMMENDED READING
Prajna Paramita Hrdaya Sastra (with text and notes) - Ed. E. Conze, Buddhist
wisdom book, 1958
The Central Philosophy of Buddhism - T. R. V. Murti, London, 1955
Buddhist Thought in India - E. Conze, London
The Yogacara Idealism – A. K. Chaterjee, varanasi, 1975
The Bodhisatva Doctrine in Buddhist Sanskrit Literature - Har Dayal, Motilal
Banarsidas, Delhi
Mahayana Buddhism - Nalinaksha Dutt, Mortilal Banarasidas, Delhi, 1978
An introduction to Mahayana Buddhism – W.M. McGovern, Delhi
BCGE 201 - BUDDHIST CULTURE IN SOUTH ASIA
A study of Buddhist culture in Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia,
Cambodia & Vietnam is expected for this paper and the main focus should be on the
following themes;
1. Pre-Buddhistic socio-religious conditions
2. Introduction and localization of Buddhism
3. Royal patronage and persecutions on Buddhism
4. Buddhist impact on art, architecture and literature
5. Order of the Buddhist Sangha
RECOMMENDED READING
Buddhism in East Asia - S. Dutt, India, 1966
2500 Years of Buddhism - P.V. Bapat, Delhi, 1971
Hinduism and Buddhism - C. Eliot, London, 1967
History of Theravada Buddhism in South-East Asia - K.L./Hazra, Delhi, 1982

BCGE 202 - THE BUDDHIST SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS
The Buddhist Social Institutions should be studied here with special emphasis on the
following topics;
1. Institutions of the community of Monks and Nuns:
Ordination, higher ordination, Vassavasa, Pavarana, Uposatha, Kathina,
Adhikarana and Adhikaranasamatha
2. Lay Institution:
Kinship, friendship, marriage and relationship between employer and employee,
clergy and laity, teacher and pupil, etc
3. Social Institution:
Buddhist attitude towards the origin of the state, the policies of government
recommend in Buddhism, Buddhist teachings on economics concerning the
individual, society and the state.
The Buddhist attitude that should be developed by the individual towards the institutions
mentioned above should also be studied here.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Aspect of Buddhist Social Philosophy - K.N. Jayatileka, Kandy, 1969
Buddhist monastic Discipline - Jotiya Dheerasekara, Colombo, 1981
The Original and Early Development of Busshist Monachism - Patrick Olivelle,
Colombo, 1974
Ethics in Buddhist Social Philosophy, K.N. Jayatileka, kandy, 1969.
PGE 201 - PRESCRIBED TEXTS 1
An ability to comprehend the following prescribed texts is expected here. Furthermore,
the following topics should also be studied; standard of each text; philosophical, cultural
and literary significance of each text; diction and style with special linguistic
characteristics; internal and external evidence of chronology. Attention should be paid to
the significance of each text in the context of the Pali Canon.
It is essential to have a general grammatical knowledge of the language employed in the
prescribed texts with exact meaning in English will also be examined.
PRESCRIBED TEXTS:
Majjhima Nikaya - Gahapati vagga (discourses 1-5)
Mahavagga - Bhesajjakkhandhaka
Theragatha - Sattaka nipata - Solasa nipata
Suttanipata - Parayana vagga

RECOMMENDED READING:
Studies in the origins of Buddhism – G.C. Pande, Alahabad, !957
A History of Pali Literature – B. C. Law, London, 1933.
A Textual & Historical Analysis of the Khuddaka Nikaya – Oliver
Abenayaka,Colombo, 1984
History of Indian Literature Vol. II – Maurice winternitz, Delhi, 1983.
PGE 202 - PALI COMMENTARIAL LITERATURE
The following topics should be studied here:
Attribution of Pali Commentaries to the Buddha as Pakinnakadesana
identification of the Commentaries on the basis of the Canonical texts
biographies of the Commentators
Sihalatthakatha
Bhanakas and Poranas
problems pertaining to the authorship of the Abhidhamma Commentaries
confirmation of the authorship of the Commentaries written on the
Khuddakapatha, Suttanipata, Dhammapada and Jataka
assistance offered in the Commentaries to study the Pali Canon
an inquiry into the similarities and dissimilarities in the Nidanakathas of the
Sumanagalavilasini, Atthasalini and Samantapasadika
evaluation of those Nidanakathas as a source of the First Council and as
introduction to the Pali Canon.
RECOMMENDED READING:
The Pali Literature of Ceylon - G.C. Malalasekara, Colombo, 1956
A Textual & Historical Analysis of the Khuddaka Nikaya – Oliver Abenayaka,
Colombo 1984
A History of Pali Literature - B.C. Law, London, 1933
History of Indian Literature Vol. II - Maurice Wintrnitz, Delhi 1983
Early History of Buddhism in Ceylon - E.W. Adikaram, Dehiwala, 1994