The Religion and Philosophy of the Veda and Upanishads v2.c43.351

v2.c43.351

In style and substance the tales resemble those of the famous Jātaka Book, the Buddhist Acta Sanctorum, a counterpart of the Legends of the Christian Saints. And they present many parallels to well-known stories of mediæval literature, Oriental and European. For comparative study of such parallels (a most inviting task), Doctor Burlingame's Synopses, clear and brief, will prove a very great convenience. His vigorous diction suggests familiarity with such 'wells of English undefyled' as the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. The work gives a vivid picture of the everday life of the ancient Buddhists—monks, nuns, lay disciples. It is thus, incidentally, an admirable preparative for the study of the more difficult Buddhist books in the original. As especially attractive stories may be cited: Lean Gotamī seeks mustard-seed to cure her dead child; Murder of Great Moggallāna; Buddha falsely accused by Chiñchā; the Hell-pot. A critical and historical introduction is prefixed. At the end is an intelligent index.