Sacred Books of the East, Including Selections from Vedic Hymns, the Zend Avesta, the Dhammapada, the Upanishads, the Koran and the Life of Budha

Collected in 1899 by Epiphanius Wilson, the works in this text are words of praise to the one unknown God, illustrating the spiritual connection between peoples spanning across continents and centuries. This volume includes hymns from the Hindu Vedas, thought to be the oldest sacred texts in the world; the Avesta of the Zoroastrians, from pre-Christian Middle East; the Dhammapada, transcribed words of the Buddha given to provide guidance to men; excerpts from the Upanishads, Indian scriptures meditating on the philosophy and nature of God; selections from the Koran, the words God spoke to the prophet Mohammed that formed the foundation of Islamic faith; and the poetic story of the life of Buddha. Seen together in one place, these holy writing beautifully illustrate the passion of the rich, worshipful tradition of the lands of the East.

Introduction CHAPTER I — The Twin-Verses CHAPTER II — On Earnestness CHAPTER III — Thought CHAPTER IV — Flowers CHAPTER V — The Fool CHAPTER VI — The Wise Man CHAPTER VII — The Venerable CHAPTER VIII — The Thousands CHAPTER IX — Evil CHAPTER X — Punishment CHAPTER XI — Old Age CHAPTER XII — Self CHAPTER XIII — The World CHAPTER XIV — The Buddha—The Awakened CHAPTER XV — Happiness CHAPTER XVI — Pleasure CHAPTER XVII — Anger CHAPTER XVIII — Impurity CHAPTER XIX — The Just CHAPTER XX — The Way CHAPTER XXI — Miscellaneous CHAPTER XXII — The Downward Course CHAPTER XXIII — The Elephant CHAPTER XXIV — Thirst CHAPTER XXV — The Bhikshu CHAPTER XXVI — The Brâhmana

THE UPANISHADS Introduction Kaushîtaki-Upanishad The Couch of Brahman Knowledge of the Living Spirit Life and Consciousness

SELECTIONS FROM THE KORAN Introduction Mohammed and Mohammedanism

CHAPTER I — Entitled, the Preface, or Introduction—Revealed at Mecca CHAPTER II — Entitled, the Cow—Revealed Partly at Mecca, and Partly at Medina CHAPTER III — Entitled, the Family of Imran—Revealed at Medina CHAPTER IV — Entitled, Women—Revealed at Medina CHAPTER V — Entitled, the Table—Revealed at Medina

LIFE OF BUDDHA INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER I The Birth Living in the Palace Disgust at Sorrow Putting Away Desire Leaving the City CHAPTER II The Return of Kandaka Entering the Place of Austerities The General Grief of the Palace The Mission to Seek the Prince

CHAPTER III Bimbisâra Raga Invites the Prince The Reply to Bimbasâra Râga Visit to Ârâda Udrarâma Defeats Mara O-wei-san-pou-ti (Abhisambodhi) Turning the Law-wheel

CHAPTER IV Bimbisâra Râga Becomes a Disciple The Great Disciple Becomes a Hermit Conversion of the “Supporter of the Orphans and Destitute” Interview between Father and Son Receiving the Getavana Vihâra Escaping the Drunken Elephant and Devadatta The Lady Âmra Sees Buddha

CHAPTER V By Spiritual Power Fixing His Term of Years The Differences of the Likkhavis Parinirvâna Mahâparinirvâna Praising Nirvâna Division of the Sariras