The Fundamental Teachings of Early Buddhism：A Comparative Study Based on the Suutra-a.nga Portion of the Paali Sa.myutta-nikaaya and the Chinese Samyuktagama
Originated as a doctoral dissertation (1999) at the University of Queensland. It is a comparative examination of the main teachings contained in the Suutra-a.nga portion of the Paali Sa.myutta-nikaaya (SN) and its counterpart in Chinese canon，a translation of a now lost Sanskrit Sa.myuktaagama (Za-ahan-jing) (SA). The SN and SA are essentially two different versions of the same collection of discourses. This study builds on the work of Yin Shun，which demonstrates the historical importance of SN / SA in the formation of the early Buddhist canon. In particular，it is based on Yin Shun's recognition of the three-a.nga structure of SN/Sa, and of the status of its Suutra-a.nga portion as of prime importance in the historical formation of this nikaaya / aagama, and as containing the most fundamental teachings of the Buddha. The aim of this research is to reveal and clarify the similarities and differences between SN and Sa, with regard to the principal Buddhist teachings contained in their Suutra-a.nga portion. (Author)
