Ebook The Story of Buddhism

Buddhism is being eagerly studied in the West, and there is no dearth of books upon it. Yet a brief history of its amazing developments may prove useful in helping those who are not experts to a sane view Of it, and to a knowledge alike of its strength and of its weakness. It is for such readers that this little book has been written it avoids technicalities as far as possible, and ignores many great problems, seeking to give a Simple yet accurate and sympathetic account of the religion Of Gautama Buddha and its developments. Six years spent in close contact with the peoples of Burma and Ceylon have convinced me that what ever it may have done in its Golden Age, and strong as its hold still is, the Buddhism of today in all its many forms is almost powerless to effect either individual or social regeneration. I believe that a sympathetic and open-minded study of it and its history will convince the student that this is so, and will send the Christian back to the study of his own religion with a new understanding of it and a new appreciation of its wonderful power to meet human needs and to satisfy human aspirations.