Northern Buddhism in History

This Book Is The Outcome Of An Extraordinary Effort On The Part Of The Editor And The Contributing Scholars. It Is Primarily A Collection Of Articles Written On Various Themes Related To Buddhist History Of Countries Where Prominent Tradition Is The Mahayana. The Idea Of Editing This Volume Is The Result Of My Interest In Buddhist History. Its Composition Is Diverse In Structure And Its Contents. The Title May Give An Impression Of A General And Complete History Of Buddhism For Cach Country Under Consideration. However, It Is Not Possible To Compile A Complete History Of Mahayana Countries North Of Nepal In A Volume Like This. Research On The History Of Buddhism Has Advanced So Much That It Is Not Possible To Edit It All In One Volume. Therefore, Papers Dealing With A Certain Historical Aspect Of A Particular Country And Having Some Special Significance In The Study Of Buddhist History Were Finally Selected For Publication. As A Matter Of Fact, Papers Dealing With Micro Historical Themes Are Included Within The Broad Title. The Northern Buddhism In History Covers The Countries North Of Nepal Up To Japan. All These Countries Are Very Important In The Study Of The History Of Mahayana Buddhism. Buddhist Scholars And Practitioners From Various Countries Have Made Invaluable Contribution To The Development And Expansion Of Mahayana Buddhism. On The Other Hand, The Buddhist Savants, Intelligentsia, Laity And Rulers Contributed Equally. In Most Of These Countries, The Ruling Dynasties Patronized Buddhism. This Is The Reason That Buddhism Had Opportunity To Flourish. During The Course Of History, Each Country Has Developed And Embedded Indigenous Features In The Practice Of Buddhism. The Amalgamation Of Native Features In Buddhism Domesticated The Indian Religion In Distant Regions And Made It The Buddhism Of Individual Countries. Regional Features Evolved So Far Made It Unique In The Sense That It Has Very Special Characteristics In Dogma, Beliefs And Practices.