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Theravada Buddhism : Continuity, Diversity, and Identity

Although laid out for use also as a text book, this 160,000 word volume publishes for the first time extensive research conducted in all the main Theravada countries to overturn a number of existing theories about Theravada Buddhism and aspects of it. It presents the thesis that Theravada Buddhism, far from being static, has continued to develop and diversify over its two millennia of history, while maintaining continuities throughout that period. The book contains the research findings of a number of research grants (including from British Academy and AHRC). It examines classical and vernacular literature from across two millennia and in multiple languages. Most chapters present material from countries and ethnic groups that have remained unreported since post-colonial period (Bangladesh, Marma, Shan, etc.). All chapters except chapter 12 contain previously unpublished research findings.