The Social Dimensions of Early Buddhism

by Uma Chakravarti

Investigating the relationship between early Buddhism and the society in which it developed, this study analyzes aspects of the social, political, religious, and economic environment of the Buddha's era, including the Buddhist system of stratification; the social origins of the bhikkhus and
the upasakas ; the role of power; the category of gahapati ; and the Buddhist concept of the ideal socio-political system.

Genres: Buddhism, History

256 pages, Hardcover

First published March 24, 1988

Reviews

[Jessica Zu · Rating 5 out of 5]

a true classic. cannot imagine Uma Chkarvarti was writing about this in 1987 already

[Revanth Ukkalam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little more about things I have been thinking about so much these days!

[Fabio · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book about social background of Buddhism.