Acknowledgement

At the very outset, I would like to acknowledge my deepest gratitude to my supervisor Prof. (Dr.) Dhirendra Kumar, Deptt. Of Pali & Prakrit, Magadh University, Bodhgaya for his valuable suggestions and guidance in preparing my dissertation entitled A Critical Study of the Decline of Buddhsim in India. Without his support and encourage this study could not have been done. My sincere gratitude and thanks to Prof. (Dr.) Abha Rani & Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Verma and also the controller of Examinations, Magadh University, Bodhgaya for their kind help and priceless suggestions. They inspired and assisted me for which I am ever grateful. I am also indebted to the teachers of the department Pali & Prakrit and also the Depoartment of Buddhist Studies for their moral boost up and valuable suggestions in finding the relevant materials in preparing my thesis. My list will remain incomplete unless I acknowledge and that the officers of my department who have availed me very valuable information of this topic. Besides above mentioned dignitaries, I feel very delighted to express my sincere gratitude to my parents Mr. Ashwini Ranjan Barua & Mrs. Baby Rani Barua who shown me the light of the day. Their sacrifice, proper guidance, best wishes and affection put me whether I am today. I would also like to express my humble respect, adoration and profound gratefulness to H. H. Late Sangharaja Ven. Prajnajyoti Mahathera, H. H. Late Sangharaja Ven. Dr. Rastrapal Mahathera of Bharatiya Sangharaj Bhikkhu Mahasabha, India, Ven. Dr. Varasambodhi Thera, Tipitakachariya, Vidyavaridhi, General Secretary, International Meditation Centre, Buddhagaya who always look forward to make my educational career successful and kept me morally sound from the beginning. The same gratitude must be extend to Ven. Buddhapriya Mahathera, Ven. Jinananda Mahathera, Ven. Basumitra Mahathera, Ven. Prof. Jnanaratna Mahathera, Ven. Dr. Kalyanpriya Thera, Ven. Dr. Priyadarshi Thera, Prof. Riton Kumar Barua, Prof. Arthadarshi Barua, elder brother of mine Mr. Bimal Barua, younger brothers Mr. Shikhan Barua & Mr. Subhas Barua and Mrs. Jaya Barua (Teacher) for encouragements and suggestions in course of my study. Finally, I must acknowledge the effort of those great scholars whose work in shape and form has been utilized here. I also would like to thank the staffs of the central library of the Magadh University, Bodhgaya, and Departmental Seminar Library, who helped me in collecting relevant material on the subject during the period of my research work in this University. I also would like to thank to computer operator who worked for me typed this dissertation on time. Sadhu! Sadhu!! Sadhu!!! (Ven. Dipankar Sraman)