This title is a vast collection and compilation of 97 important legends relating to nature and character of women in Buddhist canonical and non-canonical literature which produced a marvelous impact on ethical values of women of all classes, who were moved by the attractive spiritual power of the Buddha's dhamma and renounced the world to lead a pious life in the expectation of a happy rebirth or in order to amiability of rebirth altogether. There were a number of courtesans who led saintly lives after listening to Buddha. Ladies of the Sakya family were naturally the earliest women to come under the influence of the new creed. The women appear to have enjoyed a greater amount of independence and free thinking among the Sakyas than among the peoples of the plains perhaps owing to the same scarcity of women that forced them to enact a law prohibiting multiple marriages. The Therigatha and its commentary tell us in what light the monastic life presented itself to women in the days of Gautama Buddha.

Women in the Buddhist Legends, Bibhuti Baruh, Sarup and Sons, Hardcover, 2000, 375 Pages, $48.00

Preface. 1. Introduction.
2. All desires are suffering.
3. The harmony of the young.
4. Desire has gone.
5. Theri Bahuputtika.
6. Introduction to the dialogue.
7. Chattapani a lay discipline.
8. Cincamanavika.
9. Culasari.
10. Theri Dhammadinna.
11. Gotami.
12. Woman cannot be guarded.
13. Where are you going?
14. Kanamata.
15. Robed in white.
16. Khema.
17. Theri Kisagotami.
18. Buddha Kundalakesi.
19. The story of Laludayi.
20. Harmonies of the great park.
21. Mallika.
22. The story of three daughters of Mara.
23. Maya: a foster mother.
24. The story of the mother of Kumarakassapa.
25. Midmost mango.
26. Naga princess.
27. Seek thy happy home.
28. Nanda Gopa.
29. Parika: take my flesh.
30. Patacara.
31. Prabhutta.
32. The story of Patipujika Kumari.
33. House goes wrong.
34. Punna.
35. Rohini.
36. Ruja.
37. Rupananda.
38. Sama: happy life a play.
39. Silavati.
40. Srimala.
41. No Gods are here.
42. Golden necklace.
43. Samana.
44. Sumati.
45. Sundari.
46. Susimika.
47. Women's desire.
48. Uggasena.
49. Ummadanti: whose house is this.
50. Uppalavanna.
51. Uttara.
52. Visakha.
53. Yasodhara.
54. Merchant's daughter.
55. The child and his five mothers.
56. Thy dear wife are Twain.
57. Don't be anxious.
58. Go not too far.
59. Guide lost rich poor.
60. A happy life was mine.
61. I have made up.
62. No island realm.
63. Lie on my couch.
64. Little cost.
65. To one that honours.
66. As one with care.
67. Peasant wife.
68. Prove my buckler strong.
69. A queen's jewels are stolen by monkey.
70. The slave of passion.
71. The weaver-girl.
72. The woman-hater.
73. The woman who ate up the eggs of a hen.
74. Wrathful woman.
75. Virtue that is safe-guarded.
76. The story of a man whose wife committed adultery.
77. Where women rule.
78. Ungraceful women.
79. Ganges calm like lotus tank.
80. Long betray.
81. Requition of love.
82. Sinful and wicked wife.
83. Naughtiness women.
84. Trick husbands.
85. The story of woman of jealous disposition.
86. Brahmin's women.
87. Diverse fates.
88. A doubt ideal.
89. Folly's speech.
90. Fruit of the first path.
91. Gentile heart was mine.
92. Brahmin's wife: hot and cold.
93. Masters bastard. 94. Should I weep?
95. Unbridled lust.
96. What is to be done.
97. Women in the right path.