The Light of Asia
About this book
In this poetic masterpiece, Sir Edwin Arnold describes the life and teachings of Buddha. The man who was to become known as Buddha to the world was born as Prince Gautama of India but he rejected the worldly riches and abandoned the reigns of power when he embarked on a journey to discover the meaning of life. This poem reveals Buddha's life from the Buddhist perspective but you don't have to be a Buddhist to appreciate this poetic work. As you read about Buddha's journey you will embark on your own course of discovery. First published in 1879, the book has become a classic and has been published in many editions and many languages. Not only is it deeply philosophical in nature, but because of its poetic form and its narrative of the dramatic incidents in Siddhartha's life, it is delightful and absorbing reading.
Reader Profile
4.1/5 · 375 readers · 238 pages · ≈ 4 h 24 m · Demanding
How long does it take to read The Light of Asia?
About ≈ 4 h 24 m — 238 pages, assuming roughly 250 words per page at 225 words per minute.
How many pages is The Light of Asia?
238 pages in its most-read edition.
What genre is The Light of Asia?
It sits on the Religion, Philosophy, Poetry shelves.
Is The Light of Asia in the public domain?
Yes — it is free to read and share.
Who are the main characters in The Light of Asia?
The main characters include Gautama Buddha.
Who wrote The Light of Asia?
Edwin Arnold.
Where can I read The Light of Asia online for free?
It is in the public domain — read it free on Open Library