Jewels of the Doctrine : Stories of the Saddharma Ratnavaliya

Contents: Introduction. The Saddharma Ratnavaliya: 1. The monk Cakkhupala. 2. Mattakundali. 3. The senior monk Nagasena. 4. The monk Tissa the fat. 5. The demoness Kali. 6. The monks of Kosamba. 7. The monk Mahakala. 8. Wearing the Ochre Robe. 9. The chief disciples. 10. The senior monk Nanda. 11. The pig-killer Cunda. 12. The lay devotee, Dhammika. 13. Devadatta. 14. Samandevi. 15. The two monks who were friends. Appendix. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.

"This is a translation of the first fifteen stories of the thirteenth century Sinhala work, the Saddharma Ratnavaliya written by the monk Dharmasena. The Saddharma Ratnavaliya is in turn an expanded version of the fifth century Pali work, the Dhammapadaattakata.

"The stories are lively and entertaining, of interest to the general reader and the specialist. A skilled teacher, and reconteur, the author probes the depths of Buddhist philosophical doctrine and makes it meaningful for his lay audiences. Generations of Sri Lankans have read, heard and enjoyed the stories. They deal with the vicissitudes of the human condition and so, like all good literature have a timeless relevance and appeal." (jacket)