The Life of Sakyamuni Buddha

The idea of writing this book was in my mind while I was interested in the study of Buddhism at Taisho University, Tokyo. Then I had a chance to study as an India Cultural Scholarship Student in 1959 and Joined the Department of Buddhist Studies, at Delhi University. I study the Buddhist scriptures written in Sanskrit, Pali, and Tibetan. There were many names of Bhikkhus, Bhikkhunis, lay-followers, and names of towns, mountains, and rivers which I never had seen with my eyes. During my three-year stay in India I visited almost all Buddhist excavated sights, read books, and talked with scholars. I come to the conclusion that every sights, tradition, myth, and even superstition mentioned in those scriptures are true and real. The most impressive sight was a scene in Sutta Nipata “on the bank of River Mahi/ I made a Hut live Cow gave milk now/ O Heaven Give Us Rain.” Just the same scene appeared before my eyes. At the foot of Himalaya mountain, I visited Lumbini, the scene was just the same as shown in the scripture. Nearly 70 years have passed. I have visited India two to three even now, but still, I never forget my first visit. This book is the result of literal archaeological, and epigraphical studies including Buddhist scriptures, Puranas, itihasas, and Jaina materials.