Dear Everett and Terry,


This compilation* you mention is probably the one i came across too. There
were several scientific (and varying) descriptions of how to ascertain
Buddhas historical dates. Thats why i was so surprised by Prof. Gombrichs
final answer on that subject. Is there maybe new (historical) evidence?

As to the explanation on paticcasamuppada i rather find it difficult to give
you an accurate "short" summary. But there are Ven. Nyananandas Nibbana
Sermons published by the Sri Lankan Dhamma Net:

http://www.beyondthenet.net/calm/clm_main1.htm

Especially sermon No 2 gives a vivid and deep explanation of
paticcasamuppada - it might open ones eyes, so to say, if you have been
familiar only with the "usual" Buddhaghosa way of explaining the dependant
arising.

mettaya,

Lennart

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*probably this:

When did the Buddha live? : the controversy on the dating of the
historical Buddha ; selected papers based on a symposium / held under the
auspices of the Academy of Sciences in Göttingen. Edited by Heinz Bechert. -
1. ed. - Delhi : Sri Satguru Publications, 1995
Schriftenreihe: Bibliotheca Indo-Buddhica series ; no. 165
ISBN: 81-7030469-5