Early Buddhism and Christianity

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 AuthorChai-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.