Abstract

Interpreting India to the West

Buddhism, as is well known, has practically disappeared from the land of its origin. The older and more authentic form of the doctrine known as the Hinayana, or Little Vehicle, is found to-day chiefly in Ceylon, Burma, and Siam; the less authentic form of the doctrine known as the Mahayana or Great Vehicle, which is less a religion than a system of religions, is found chiefly in Tibet, China, and Japan. Coomaraswamy has undertaken to give an account of both forms of the doctrine as well as to sketch the development of Buddhist art through the ages. His volume may be found useful by those who wish to get a first rapid impression of a vast and difficult subject. But froth this point of view it is only a compilation, and the author does riot claim anything more for it.