Concept of Pancasila in Indian Thaought

Author(s): Kamla Jain
Publisher: P V Research Institute Varanasi

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( 10 ) in their fullest maturity, and which lay stress on individualistic spiritual happiness. The Brāhmaṇical trend of thought, it is upheld positively, does accept them and emphasizes them from a socialistic point of view; but the emphasis on them, in this trend, has secondary, implicit and indirect importance. Accordingly, in the present work the Brāhmaṇical systems are just touched upon and given secondary importance only to provide a background to the Śramaņical trend. Still the system like Pātañjala-Yoga which is almost Šramanical in many respects is discussed at some length,
In the field of Buddhism the writer has depended more on the Theravāda canons than the Mahāyāna texts, though occasionally they have been referred to.
With these limitations the present work in its six main chapters deals with the five basic principles of morality for the monks as well as for the laity. The first chapter deals with the meaning, aim and the basis of sila or morality and also with certain other allied problems. Chapters second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth deal with the five principles, viz, non-violence, non-stealing, celibacy (partial or complete), truthfulness, and abstinence from intoxication and nonpossession respectively. These principles have been presented here in the order in which Buddhism itself presents them in its canonical literature.
Having no bias towards or against any system, the study attempts an impartial and objective presentation of facts.
As far as possible, oriental terms have been translated into English. But there are some oriental terms which cannot be translated into English accurately. In such cases as these oriental terms have been retained for the sake ecision and clarity.
I express my thanks to our Ex-Head of the Department of Buddhist Studies, Dr. V. V. Gokhale, for encouraging me to choose this subject. I am thankful to my advisor Dr. B. Jinananda, Reader in this department, for giving me all possi