A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s6.t4.329

v2.c19.s6.t4.329

The work betrays an extraordinary degree of erudition and reading, but little originality. Śāntideva himself confesses this modestly in the introductory words to his book: "I have nothing new to say here, neither have I any skill in the writing of literary works. Therefore my efforts are not for the benefit of others, but my only desire is to perfect my own mind. Nevertheless, the longing for clearness is fostered by this my work, so as to make the good real; and if another who is of the same mind as myself, should see this longing, then this my work will not have been in vain."¹ The book is, nevertheless, extremely suitable as an introduction, especially to the ethical doctrine of the Mahāyāna, and is also of great value on account of the numerous, often long, extracts from texts which are no longer extant, the more so as Śāntideva, in those cases in which we can judge of his work, proves to be very accurate and very reliable in his quotations.