Light of Asia or the Great Renunciation

Edwin Arnold. First American edition thus (later reprint edition). Chicago: Donohue and Henneberry, no publication date (late 1800's/early 1900's?). Hardcover (no dust jacket) is in Very Good+ condition. With its beautiful cover and intricate details, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in the subject of religion and spirituality. The author, Edwin Arnold, is known for his in-depth knowledge and understanding of Gautama's teachings, making this book a valuable resource for those seeking enlightenment.

Arnold's work was originally published in Britain in 1879.

 Arnold, Sir Edwin (1832-1904)". From the Oxford DNB: "In 1879 Arnold published The Light of Asia, a versified account of the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. It proved to be tremendously popular;

First edition, a presentation copy, of one of the first successful attempts to popularize Buddhist thought in the West, freely adapted by Arnold from the Lalitavistara Sutra. It was a spectacular bestseller, selling up to a million copies, and among its early readers was Mahatma Gandhi; in his letter to Wilkinson here Arnold explains 'My Buddhist epic has passed through 11 editions here and thirty or forty in America; but I think you will prefer to have a copy of the editio princeps, even in paper'.

The twenty eighth edition of The Light of Asia, or The Great Renunciation (Mahâbhinishkramana), signed by the author. The poet and journalist Edwin Arnold is best known for this work and the present copy has an ink inscription from the author to the half title. The inscription reads; 'The Honourable Evelyn J. Moore, with the regards of the author. June 1886'. First published in 1879, the narrative poem endeavours to describe the life of Prince Guatama Buddha, who becomes The Awakened One after attaining enlightenment. Arnold's adaptation of the Sanskrit sutra Lalitavistara was one the first successful efforts to popularise Buddhism for a Western readership.