Indian Society for Buddhist Studies

Author(s): Prachya Vidyapeeth
Publisher: Prachya Vidyapeeth

Page 60

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The objective of this study is to discuss the eminent Belgian Indologist Louis de la Valée Poussin's contribution to Buddhism. The paper discusses about Poussin's life, his works to understand his undenying contribution to Buddhism. His contribution varies from writing his observations to editing and translating of important Buddhist works in Sanskrit, Tibetan and Chinese.His wide range of knowledge and philosophy reflected in his major works like Nirvana, Documents on Abhidharma, Abhidharmakośa of Vasubandhu and many others.
Poussin's contribution in understanding the Buddhist councils and his influence on the Western scholars as well as the scholars from East will also be taken care of. His understanding of Buddhism primarily as religion and philosophic methods to experience salvation will also be discussed here. This paper concentrates on Poussin's constant effort to familiarize Buddhism with its true essence
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· Buddhist Devotion in Meditation
Pallabi Mukherjee, Kolkata
Devotion is the central practice in Buddhism that refers to commitment towards religious observances or to an object or person, and may be translated with Sanskrit or Pāli terms like saddhā, gārava or pkjā. Buddhist devotion is centrally practice of bruddhānussati, the recollection of the inspiring qualities of the Buddha. Although buddhānussati had an important aspect of practice since early period of Buddhism, its importance was amplified with the arising of Mahāyāna Buddhism. Specifically in Pure Land Buddhism developed many forms of devotion to recollect and connect with the celestial Buddhas, especially Amitābha.
Buddhists mostly use rituals in pursuit of their spiritual aspirations. Common devotional practices are receiving blessings, making merit, making a resolution, prostrating,