Table Of ContentLIGHT OF ASIA
Illustrated Version
Sir Edwin Arnold
Website: www.buddhanet.net
E-mail: [email protected]
For free distribution
Buddha Dharma Education Association Inc.
C
ontents
Sir Edwin Arnold
Edwin Ariyadasa 6
Author Preface
Sir Edwin Arnold 12
Book the First
Prince Siddhartha’s birth and his youth 17
Book the Second
Display of skills & wedding of Prince Siddhartha xxx
Book the Third
Prince Siddhartha sees the omens xxx
Book the Fourth
The great renunciation xxx
Book the Fifth
Ascetic Siddhartha’s quest for truth xxx
Book the Sixth
End of austerities and enlightenment xxx
Book the Seventh
The Buddha’s visit to Kapilavatthu xxx
Book the Eighth
The Buddha’s Demise xxx
Glossary xxx
2
In the sumptuous Buddhist lit-
erature of the world, “Light of
Asia”, by Sir Edwin Arnold, is
without any doubt, an unique
work. It is primarily because,
this is the only original poem
written in English on the
Buddha, throughout the long
history of Buddhism. This dis-
tinction is quite necessary to
Sir Edwin Arnold
be established, because there
are translations of original Pali works into English and
other languages. Some of these are outstanding instances of
spiritual poetry.
Sir Edwin Arnold, the Author of this epic poem, was ini-
tially persuaded to compose this sacred work, as a result of
his deep and abiding desire to aid in the better and more
wholesome mutual understanding between East and West.
His discovery and profound appreciation of the peren-
nial philosophies of ancient India, could form a subject for
a substantial research paper. In his early youth in Eng-
land, Edwin Arnold felt the first stirrings of the Muse. His
adept command over poetic expression, won him the New-
gate Prize at the University College, Oxford in 1852, for his
poem “The Feast of the Belahazzar”.
3
Edwin Arnold was born in Sussex, England on July 10,
1832. He received his primary education at Royal College,
Rochester. Later on he studied at King’s College, London.
During his days at this place lie won a scholarship that took
him to Oxford.
He was twenty-four when he came over to India to
assume duties as Principal, Deccan College, Poona. From
the first, the host culture overwhelmed him with its nobility
and variegated manifestations. With him, it was not merely
the casual surprise that the initial meeting with a strange
culture engenders in a new comer to a way of life and
thought, different from one’s own. Eventually, his surprise
evolved into enchantment, escalating progressively into last-
ing admiration.
To get to the heart of this ancient and exotic culture,
Edwin Amold — the Indian Civil Servant — started exploring
the age-old languages of India — Pali and Sanskrit mostly, to
be able to experience the new culture from inside. He sought
the help of Pandits (savants) who revealed to him the secret
knowledge and eternal wisdom locked up within these eso-
teric words. Doors, that usually remain closed for the rou-
tine bureaucrat began to open wide mysteriously to Edwin
Arnold. With befitting awe and reverence, he approached the
grand epics of India — Ramayana and Maha Bharata.
4
When one delves deeply into the philosophic profundi-
ties of India, one cannot help but discover the religious
institutions of renunciation and asceticism, which form an
essential part of the Indian spiritual system.
From there, it is just a matter of course to the discovery
of the Greatest Ascetic and the Renunciate par-excellence of
India — Gotama the Buddha.
His admiration quickly graduated into a self-imposed
duty. He resolved that what he has discovered through his
exploratory effort, of the core and the substance of the
Indian Philosophic tradition should be communicated to his
own people in their language. He worked assiduously.
His “Light of Asia” according to him, was composed, “in
the brief intervals of days without leisure.”
Edwin Arnold’s “Light of Asia”, first appeared in
1879 — when lie was 47. The book has had numerous reprints
since then.
Millions of readers, the world over, would have savoured
the spiritual ecstasy of absorbing the lyrical word of Edwin
Arnold on the life and the teachings of the Buddha.
In its diction and rhythm, Edwin Arnold’s “Light of
Asia”, resonates with echoes of the “Organ roll of Milton’s
Music.” It Is quite evident that Edwin Arnold was profoundly
5
impressed by the poetic quality by John Milton’s great reli-
gious epics.
Reading Edwin Arnold’s “Light of Asia”, is a rich expe-
rience in high poetry. His poetry swathes the character of
Prince Siddhartha and later the Buddha, The Supremely En-
lightened One in a scintillating mantle of spiritual heroism.
The telling detail in “Light of Asia”, especially in such
descriptions as the education of the Prince — displays an
astounding and painstaking effort at pursuing the relevant
research.
Fully aware that the life of the Buddha can in no way be
told in poetry with a perfectly objective mind, Edwin Arnold
narrates his epic from the viewpoint of a Buddhist votary.
Sir Edwin Arnold’s other works are overshadowed by
his widespread reputation as the author of “Light of Asia”.
Among his other works are:
* The Book of Good Counsels (from the Sanskrit of
“Hitopadesa”).
* Indian Song of Songs (from Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda) 1875.
* Song celestial Bhagavat Gita) 1885.
* Indian Idylls (from Mahabharata 1883.
* Pearls of the Faith.
6
He also wrote a poem on Christ entitled “Light of the
World”. Sir Edwin Arnold is also the Author of a work enti-
tled “A History of the Administration of India, under Mar-
quis of Dulhonsie.”
In later years, on his return to England, Edwin Arnold
became leader-writer for the “Daily Telegraph. Light of Asia
was written during his Daily Telegraph days.
Towards the end of his life Sir Edwin Arnold resided in
Japan. His third wife was a Japanese lady.
The two works “Seas and Lands” (1891) and “Japonica”
1892, record his impressions of Japanese life.
The British Government honoured him by conferring
the title K.C.I.E. on him in 1888. A writer, contributing a
piece to the Sinhala weekly “Budusarana” in Sri Lanka, on
February 12, 1996 states that Sir Edwin Arnold visited Sri
Lanka, to study Buddhism. The article states that he learnt
the Sinhala Language as well. This writer is of the view that
Sir Edwin Arnold became a Buddhist.
It is quite evident however, that Sir Edwin Arnold
attempted to create an enthusiasm for a Buddhist revival
in Sri Lanka and Japan. Sir Edwin Arnold passed away on
March 14, 1904 at the age of 71. Generation after generation
will remember and revere him for his “Light of Asia”.
by Edwin Ariyadasa
7
8
Two and a half thousand years ago there lived in North India a prince, Sid-
dhàrtha, who renounced his worldy wealth and a position and wandered the
land in search of understanding and the secret of sorrow. After many experi-
ences, as he sat one day in meditation, illumination came to him and he became
the Buddha, the Enlightened One. Thereafter, through out his life, he taught
the Law of Righteousness, the Middle Way.
Sir Edwin Arnold has tendered in exquisite poetic form the story of the Bud-
dha’s search, enlightenment, and teaching. First published in 1879, the book
has become a classic and has been published in many editions and in many
languages. Not only is it deeply philosophical in nature, but because of its
poetic form and is narrative of the dramatic incidents in Siddhàrtha’s life, it
is delightful and absorbing reading.
9
Author’s Preface
I
n the following Poem I have sought, by the medium of an
imaginary Buddhist votary, to depict the life and charac-
ter and indicate the philosophy of that noble hero and re-
former, Prince Gautama of India, the founder of Buddhism.
A generation ago little or nothing was known in Europe
of this great faith of Asia, which had nevertheless existed
during twenty-four centuries, and at this day surpasses, in
the number of its followers and the area of its prevalence,
any other form of creed. Four hundred and seventy millions
of our race live and die in the tenets of Gautama; and the
spiritual dominions of this ancient teacher extend, at the
present time, from Nepal and Ceylon, over the whole East-
ern Peninsula, to China, Japan, Tibet, Central Asia, Sibe-
ria, and even Swedish Lapland. India itself might fairly be
included in this magnificent Empire of Belief; for though
the profession of Buddhism has for the most characteristic
habits and convictions of the Hindus are clearly due to the
benign influence of Buddha’s precepts. More than a third
of mankind, therefore, owe their moral and religious ideas
to this illustrious prince, whose personality, though imper-
fectly revealed in the existing sources of information, cannot
but appear the highest, gentlest, holiest, and beneficent,
with one exception, in the history of Thought. Discordant
in frequent particulars, and sorely overlaid by corruptions,
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Description:Sir Edwin Arnold’s other works are overshadowed by his widespread reputation as the author of “Light of Asia”. Among his other works are:
