SĀRNĀTHA THE CRADLE OF BUDDHISM (From an Archeological Perspective)

This is a revised and enlarged edition of Srntha

- The Cradle of Buddhism in an Archeological View, which was first launched fifteen years ago, in 2005, by the publisher Delhi-7: Eastern Book Linkers. The second, third, and fourth editions were printed in 2008, 2010, and 2016, respectively, by Phng ng Publishing, Sign, Vit Nam.

This current edition (2020) will be printed at Hng c Publishing, HCM City, Vit Nam. In presenting this fifth edition, I have preserved the original version as the first edition. However, for the sake of clarity, some well-illustrated photos of the Srntha archeological site and environs have been added; a number of clarifying changes have been made; errors have been corrected for better use and service; and a summary and discussion questions have been provided at the end of each chapter. While translating the work into English, we recognized that some footnotes are not given with all details, but they will be sufficient for the reader.

I would like to gratefully acknowledge with special thanks Bhikkhuni Vin Quang, Bhikkhuni Vin Ng, and Mark Woodworth (editors who worked as my English assistants during the translating, copyediting, proofreading, design, and publication processes).

We rejoice in introducing readers near and far to the Dharma. We invite corrections and comments from our readers, to be incorporated into future printings. We look forward to hearing from you.

Library of University of California,

Riverside May 21, 2020

Dr. Bhikkhun Thch N Gii Hng