Description

About the Book:-The most important of the many Buddhist memorials in India are those at Sanchi in Bhupal, Bharhut in Bhagelkhand, and Buddha Gaya in Bihar; which, whatever their relative age, are all over 2,000 years old; and those at Amaravati in Southern India, which are several centuries more recent. Considerable difference of opinion exists, among the learned authorities who have treated of these antiquities, both as to the relative age and importance of the earlier remains, and as to the nature and date of the form of religion which they indicate: and he ventures to hope that this book, whatever its shortcomings, may be of some use in clearing up disputed points. Its objects are as follows:— To place on record a full and connected description of the Sanchi memorials; and to show their connection with religious systems antecedent to what is now called Buddhism. To give accurate illustrations, from his own hand-drawn originals, of the Sanchi buildings, and sculptures. To invite attention to the evidence, which the Sanchi remains supply, that the Buddhism of Sakya—which is usually attributed to the sixth Century B.C. —was introduced, as a reform of the pre-existing semi-Mithraic faith, about the commencement of the Christian era; that is, shortly before the time when the gateway sculptures of Sanchi were executed. Since his book has been in print, Sir A. Cunningham has brought out a new work, entitled, “ Mahabodhi; or the Great Buddhist Temple under the Bodhi-tree, at Buddha Gaya.” It raises anew the question as to the comparative antiquity and importance of the remains at Buddha Gaya, Bharhut, and Sanchi; which is too long for discussion in a preface: but he must take the opportunity of saying, that, so far as he has seen, he has no reason to modify the views, as to the nature and date of Sakyan Buddhism, expressed in the following pages.