1884 The Light of Asia or The Great Renunciation (Mahabhinishkramana). Being The Life and Teaching of Gautama, Prince of India and Founder of Buddhism (As Told in Verse by and Indian Buddhist).

Description

An Important Work, Publishers' Original Binding, Uncommon

An uncommon copy of the 1884 edition of this important narrative poem about the life of Gautama Buddha, originally published in 1879.

Edwin Arnold's poem was one of the first attempts to popularise Asian culture and Buddhism to the Western reader. This poem particularly fascinated Mahatma Gandhi, who after reading more of Arnold's work, decided to study his own religion. It was highly acclaimed and received many reviews, some contained in this volume, as well as being translated into thirty languages, including Hindi.

Edwin Arnold was an English poet and journalist, The Light of Asia being his most recognised and important work.

In the publisher's original yellow cloth binding, with titles stamped in gilt to spine, slightly faded, and decorative stamp in gilt to front and rear board. With David Talbot Rice bookplate and small newspaper piece glued to front free endpaper with title of this book and other titles. With opinions of the press to front leaves and six publisher's advertisements to rear. Pages 4-5 of reviews unopened as well as two advertisement pages to rear leaves. Inscribed by previous owner to 'Opinions of the Press' page "W. T. Malleson from his son Philip" dated March 5th 1885. 

David Talbot Rice was an important English archeologist and historian.