The `Agamas`not only provide ample material about the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha for the Study of early Buddhism，but also a lot of informa- tion about the economic and social conditions of ancient India. In this article，records concerning economic activities are taken out of the `Agamas and introduced to the leader，the historical background is analyzed，and the agricultural，industrial，and commercial conditions are related.
The Indian civilization started around the 25th-15th centuries B.C. In the tenth century B.C. the concept of the four castes had been extablished and iron tools had been used. There were many kinds of farming instruments.Cereal seeds were selected, farms were irrigated，fertilizers were uesed，and good lands were chosen for farming. Animal husbandry also showed great achievement. Agricultural success led to the development of handicrafts. Hundreds of kinds of things were made. Metallury，blacksmithery, pottery，wine making were all well developed. Free trading of handicrafts led to commercial prosperity. Gold currency was used as medium of trade. Loaning activities were frequent. Saving and investment were well-matched.
Commercial activities implied putting profit before righteousness. People pursued the gratification of their desires; moral and ethical values were shaken. It is in this historical background that `Sakyamuni` Buddha came into the world. He came for one great cause：to preach the Law for the benefit of all sentient beings. After the Buddha's `Nirvana`，his disciples collected his teaching. When the `Mayura` kingdom unified India, Buddhism became the national religion. King `Asoka` was devoted to the prapagation of the Buddha's Law. He gathered all the teachings and made the Tripitaka--the Sutra, the Vinaya, and the Abhidharma--complete. Therefore the `Agamas` provide us with much information about the economic and social conditions of `Asoda's` time.
