Chapter I: Preface

In most of the quotations from Burmese books containing the life of the Buddha I am indebted, if not for the exact words, yet for the sense, to Bishop Bigandet's translation.

I do not think I am indebted to anyone else. I have, indeed, purposely avoided quoting from any other book and using material collected by anyone else.

The story of Ma Pa Da has appeared often before, but my version is taken entirely from the Burmese song. It is, as I have said, known to nearly every Burman.

I wanted to write only what the Burmese themselves thought; whether I have succeeded or not, the reader can judge.

I am indebted to Messrs. William Blackwood and Sons for permission to use parts of my article on 'Burmese Women'--_Blackwood's Magazine_, May, 1895--in the present work.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. LIVING BELIEFS 1

II. HE WHO FOUND THE LIGHT--I. 17

III. HE WHO FOUND THE LIGHT--II. 34

IV. THE WAY TO THE GREAT PEACE 46

V. WAR--I. 56

VI. WAR--II. 77

VII. GOVERNMENT 87

VIII. CRIME AND PUNISHMENT 102

IX. HAPPINESS 116

X. THE MONKHOOD--I. 127

XI. THE MONKHOOD--II. 153

XII. PRAYER 158

XIII. FESTIVALS 166

XIV. WOMEN--I. 185

XV. WOMEN--II. 205

XVI. WOMEN--III. 224

XVII. DIVORCE 228

XVIII. DRINK 242

XIX. MANNERS 248

XX. 'NOBLESSE OBLIGE' 256

XXI. ALL LIFE IS ONE 277

XXII. DEATH, THE DELIVERER 302

XXIII. THE POTTER'S WHEEL 322

XXIV. THE FOREST OF TIME 342

XXV. CONCLUSION 348

THE SOUL OF A PEOPLE