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WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR.
I. Buddhism: being a Sketch of the Life and Teach-
ings of Gotama the Buddha. With a Map. (Small 8vo;
LondonSociety for Promoting Christian Knowledge. 1878.)
Seventh Thousand. 2s. Qd.
" We do not know of any otber work from which so fair and complete an account
can be obtained of that wonderful religion which has so mnoh in common with
Christianity, and has numbered more adherents than any other religion in the
world.''A cademy.
" Altogether higher stands the little work of Mr. Rhys Davids,.... written in
an agreeable style, and with great knowledge of the facta,.... which we should
wish to see in the hands of all students of religions history, and hope to see trans-
lated into our own language."Theologisch TijdschrifL
II. Buddhist Birth Stories, or Jataka Tales; the
Oldest Collection of Folk-lore extant. (8 vo; LondonTriibner.
Vol. I. 1880.) 18a.
This is a translation from the Pali text of the standard Bnddhist Collection as
edited by Professor Fausboll, and is preceded by an Introduction on the history of
the Birth-story literature, and by bibliographical and other tables.
"Among the various contributions to the comparative study of folk-lore, Mr.
Rhys Davids's translation of the J&takas must take a foremost place."Saturday
Review.
" These tales are the nearest representatives of the original Aryan stories from
whioh sprang the folk-lore of Europe as well as of India, and from which the
Semitic nations also borrowed much. The Introduction contains a most interesting
disquisition on the migrations of those fables, tracing their reappearance in the
various groups of folk-lore legends known as 'iEsop's Fables,' 'The Hitopadesa,'
'The Kalilag and Damnag Series,' and even 'The Arabian Nights.' Among other
old friends we meet with a version of the J udgment of Solomon, which proves after
all to be an Aryan, and not a Semitic tale."Times.
"It is certain that no more competent exponent of Buddhism could be found
than Mr. Rhys Davids, and that these Birth Stories, of whioh he has now given
ns the first instalment, will be of the greatest interest and importanoe to students."
St. James's Gazette.
" The translation could not have fallen into better hands. And what is no small
merit, when we consider the involved style of Buddhist writings, it is easy to read,
though at the same time it is faithful throughout."Revue de Vhistoire des
Religions.
" The English version, while strictly literal, is thoroughly idiomatic. It is not too
much to say that no Pali scholar could have been found more competent for the
work than he to whom it has been entrusted. He has thoroughly entered into the
spirit of his original, and his renderings, oven of tho most difficult passages, are
always most accurate and felicitous. In a valuable and interesting Introduction,
the translator traces the course of transmigration of the Buddhist stories and fables
from East to Westby many and various courses, Hindu, Persian, Arabic, Syriac,
Greekthrough the Ealilag and Dainnag literature down to the so-called fables
of ASsop."Contemporary Review.
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