Sacred Books of the East: Including Selections from the Vedic Hymns, Zend-Avesta, Dhammapada, Upanishads, the Koran, and the Life of Buddha, with Critical and Biographical Sketches and Analysis

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. Table of Contents VEDIC HYMNS Introduction To the Unknown God To the Maruts To the Maruts and Indra To Indra and the Maruts To Agni and the Maruts To Rudra To Rudra To Agni and the Maruts To Vâyu To Vâyu Indra and Agastya: A Dialogue To Soma and Rudra To Rudra To Vâta To Vâta THE ZEND-AVESTA Introduction Discovery of the Zend-avesta The Creation Myth of Yima The Earth Contracts and Outrages Uncleanness Funerals and Purification Cleansing the Unclean Spells Recited During the Cleansing To Fires, Waters, Plants To The Earth and the Sacred Waters Prayer for Helpers A Prayer For Sanctity and its Benefits To the Fire To the Bountiful Immortals Praise of the Holy Bull To Rain as a Healing Power To the Waters and Light of the Sun To the Waters and Light of the Moon To the Waters and Light of the Stars THE DHAMMAPADA 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