Buddhist Texts from Gandhara

Ancient Buddhist Scrolls from Gandhara is a book that introduces the groundbreaking project of deciphering and interpreting recently acquired scrolls from the British Library. These scrolls, dating back to around the beginning of the Christian era, provide a unique window into the history of Buddhism in India. Written in the Gandhari Prakrit language and in Kharosthi script, these fragmentary birch bark scrolls are likely the oldest Buddhist manuscripts ever discovered. They shed light on the regional character of early Indian Buddhist traditions, the formation of standardized written canons, and the transmission of Buddhism into central and east Asia. The book includes detailed descriptions of the manuscripts, a survey of their contents, translations, and representative samples of texts. It appeals to a broad audience interested in Buddhism, comparative religion, and Asian languages.