Buddhist Studies and Western Reception Edwin Arnold Light of Asia 1879 Introducing Gautama Buddha to English Readers

Edwin Arnold

First Edition

Arnold, Edwin. The Light of Asia; or, The Great Renunciation, 1879, presents a poetic narrative of the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha that contributed significantly to the introduction of Buddhist philosophy to Western audiences in the late nineteenth century. Written as an epic in verse, the work recounts the renunciation and enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama through the voice of a devotee, translating key concepts of Buddhism into a literary form accessible to English readers. Published during a period of expanding European interest in Asian religions and comparative theology, the text played a central role in shaping early Western perceptions of Buddhism. It supports research into religious transmission, Orientalist literature, and the global circulation of philosophical traditions.

Arnold, Edwin. The Light of Asia; or, The Great Renunciation Being the Life and Teaching of Gautama Prince of India and Founder of Buddhism. Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1879. First edition. Octavo volume measuring approximately 7" x 5", 238 pages, in original binding with decorative gilt on the cover and gilt lettering on the spine. The text is composed in poetic verse and structured as a continuous narrative recounting the life of the Buddha, from princely origins to spiritual awakening and the articulation of core teachings.

Issued at a time when Western intellectual circles increasingly engaged with non-Christian religious traditions, the work reflects both a literary and cultural effort to interpret Buddhism within familiar narrative and poetic frameworks. Arnold’s adaptation contributed to a broader movement of translation and reinterpretation that made Asian religious texts accessible to European and American audiences, influencing both popular and scholarly understanding. Light wear to binding; interior clean; overall in very good condition.

Item #17293

Price: $550.00