Acknowledgements

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma-Sambuddhassa.
(Homage to the Blessed One, the Exalted One, and the Fully–Enlightened One)

May I bow and offer flowers of reverence to the Triple Gem: Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha: They have been revealing to me the proper way of life.

This thesis would not have been completed successfully without the assistance, the kindness and the co-operation of a number of people. Therefore, I would like to acknowledge my obligation and indebtedness to my respected teachers and well wishers who helped me to complete the research work.

First, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my guiding supervisor Professor Dr. Bela Bhattacharya, Professor in the Department of Pali, University of Calcutta, for encouraging and giving me valuable guidance and suggestion at all stages of writing the dissertation. The Discussions which I had with her during the course of Ph.D. research can never be forgotten. She is an advocate of free thought, open hand, deeply in her knowledge humble one and of open mind. I am extremely grateful to her.

I would like to convey my sincere thanks to a member of teachers in Department of Pali, namely; Prof. Dr. Manikuntala Haldar, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saswati Mutsuddy, Head of Department of Pali, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jayanti Chatterjee, Prof. Dr. Aiswarya Biswas, including Bhikkhu Dr. Sumanapal u. They have been very kind and made the useful suggestions to me during my period of study in Ph.D. course.

I am also very grateful to numerous Venerable Thai monks and friends, namely; Bhikkhu Dr. Bodhipala, the Chief of monk at Bengal Buddhist Temple, Kolkata, Phramaha Dr. Thawatchai Hangthukmod, Phramaha Dr. Thongchai Thammathawee, Phra Dr. Theerayuth Inchre, Dr. Pairoj Phaodee, Miss Kanokwan Jayadat, all my Thai and Indian friends, for maintaining the linkage of brotherhood and sisterhood and being helpful friends by giving constant support.

My thanks are also due to the librarian and the staff of the Central Library, University of Calcutta, the National Library, the Library of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, the Library of the Asiatic Society in Calcutta, including libraries of both the Buddhist Universities in Thailand, namely; Mahamakut Buddhist University and Mahachula-longkorn University, for their help in various ways to utilize knowledge sources during my research work.

Finally, I am very grateful to my parents and sisters in Sweden and Thailand for offering Scholarship during my study in Ph.D. program in University of Calcutta. Because of their support, I could smoothly and happily carry on my study till it was completed successfully.

(Smitthai Aphiwatamonkul)
Research Scholar

Date:…………….
Department of Pali
University of Calcutta
87/1 College Street
Kolkata 700 073