U.P.P.C.S. Mains 2014

Buddhist Literature & Global Impact

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Sir Edwin Arnold's book 'The Light of the Asia' is based on-

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept Western literature in the 19th century played a massive role in introducing Buddhist philosophy to the world, often by adapting Sanskrit texts.

Explanation Sir Edwin Arnold's 'The Light of Asia' (1879) is explicitly a narrative poem of the life and message of Prince Gautama, largely based on the Lalitavistara Sutra.

Logical Breakup

Lalitavistara (B): A Mahayana text that portrays the Buddha's life as a 'divine play' (Lalita). It provided the mythological richness for Arnold's poem.

Suttapitaka (C): Contains the Buddha's actual discourses but lacks the narrative flourish used by Arnold.

Active Recall

Question

Why was 'The Light of Asia' so popular in the West?

Answer

It presented the Buddha's life in a highly accessible, poetic, and respectful way that resonated with Victorian audiences interested in Eastern philosophy.

Core Insight

The book was instrumental in framing the Buddha as a 'light' or savior figure for a global audience, bridging Eastern scripture with Western poetry.

Sir Edwin Arnold's book 'The Light of the Asia' is based on-

Solution & Analysis

Active Recall

Core Insight

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