This scholarly work examines the first century of Buddhism, focusing on its institutional development and evolution within both monastic and lay communities. Challenging the perception of Buddhism as a purely individualistic philosophical pursuit, the author highlights the fundamental factors that drove its early popularity, including the authority of its founder, community dynamics, and disciplinary practices. The book provides a detailed analysis of how these structures shaped the religion, concluding with a comparative study of early Christian developments to offer broader insights into religious history.

Why You Should Read?

• Gain a fresh perspective on Buddhism by exploring its institutional and communal dimensions rather than just its philosophical doctrines.
• Understand the interplay between monastic and lay communities that helped establish Buddhism as a popular religion.
• Discover valuable comparative insights between the development of early Buddhism and early Christianity.
• Benefit from scholarly research that includes a bibliography and index for further study.

About the Author

Chai-Shin Yu is a dedicated scholar whose research focuses on the historical and institutional development of religious traditions, with a particular emphasis on the early foundations of Buddhism and its comparative relationship with other major world religions.