Prakrit Dhammapada - Book Summary

This document is a scholarly critical edition and translation of the Prakrit Dhammapada by Beni Madhab Barua and Sailendranath Mitra, published by Sri Satguru Publications.

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Core Subject:

The book presents a critical edition of the Dhammapada text written in a Prakrit dialect, discovered in the Kharosthi script. This makes it unique, as most other known versions are in Pali, Sanskrit, or Mixed Sanskrit. The work is based on E. Senart's publication of the Kharosthi manuscript fragments.

Key Aspects and Contributions:

Critical Edition and Translation: Barua and Mitra provide an improved and readjusted text with extensive notes and cross-references. They meticulously analyze and translate the fragments of the Kharosthi manuscript.
Introduction: The book features a long introduction that delves into various scholarly problems related to the editions and translations of the Dhammapada. It discusses the discovery of the Kharosthi manuscript, its unique Prakrit dialect, its relation to other Dhammapada recensions, and its chronological placement within Buddhist literature.
Paleographic and Linguistic Analysis: The authors engage in detailed paleographic and linguistic discussions, explaining the nuances of the Kharosthi script and the Prakrit dialect used in the manuscript. They compare these findings with known Pali and Sanskrit parallels.
Reconstruction and Arrangement: A significant contribution is the authors' radical re-arrangement and reconstruction of the fragmented verses and plates. They use colophons and internal evidence to create a more logical sequence of chapters and verses, addressing perceived inaccuracies in M. Senart's earlier work.
Comparative Study of Dhammapada Recensions: The work provides an in-depth analysis of various recensions of the Dhammapada, including Pali, Mixed Sanskrit, and Sanskrit versions, and discusses their historical importance and linguistic characteristics. It also touches upon the Chinese and Tibetan translations.
Chronology of Dhammapada Texts: A detailed section is dedicated to establishing the chronology of different Dhammapada texts, considering arguments from chapter numbers, verse multiplications, and textual traditions.
Influence and Origins: The authors explore the potential influences on the Dhammapada, including Upanishadic thought and other Indian gnomic wisdom. They also discuss the origin of certain verses and the development of the Dhammapada literature over centuries.
Detailed Verse-by-Verse Commentary (Notes): The book contains extensive "Notes" from M. Senart, translated into English, which offer highly detailed explanations of individual verses, paleographic issues, linguistic peculiarities, and comparative readings from other texts. These notes are crucial for understanding the scholarly process behind the edition.
Dedication: The work is dedicated to the Hon'ble Sir Asutosh Mookerjee for his crucial support and encouragement in the research.

Significance:

Uniqueness of Prakrit Dhammapada: The publication of this Prakrit Dhammapada in Kharosthi script is significant as it represents a linguistic and cultural bridge, showcasing Buddhist teachings in a less commonly encountered dialect of ancient India.
Scholarly Rigor: The detailed analysis and comparative study highlight the meticulous scholarly work involved in reconstructing and understanding ancient texts from fragmented sources.
Contribution to Buddhist Studies: The critical edition and its accompanying scholarly apparatus offer valuable insights into the textual history, linguistic evolution, and philosophical underpinnings of the Dhammapada, a cornerstone of Buddhist literature.

In essence, this book is a foundational scholarly work for anyone interested in the critical study of Buddhist texts, the evolution of Prakrit and Kharosthi languages, and the comparative analysis of ancient Indian literature. It represents a significant effort to bring a unique and important Buddhist scripture to a wider scholarly audience.