# Sacred Books of the East

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The Sacred Books of the East is a monumental 50-volume set of English translations of Asian religious writings, edited by Müller and published by the Oxford University Press between 1879 and 1910. It incorporates the essential sacred texts of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, and Islam.
Not to be confused with The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, (ed.) by Charles F. Horne (1917).
Sacred Books of the East TRANSLATED BY VARIOUS ORIENTAL SCHOLARS AND EDITED BY F. MAX MÜLLER ⁂ This Series is published with the sanction and co-operation of the Secretary of State for India in Council.
REPORT presented to the ACADÉMIE DES INSCRIPTIONS, May 11, 1883, by M. ERNEST RENAN.
'M. Renan présente trois nouveaux volumes de la grande collection des "Livres sacrés de l'Orient" (Sacred Books of the East), que dirige à Oxford, avec une si vaste érudition et une critique si sûre, le savant associé de l'Académie des Inscriptions, M. Max Müller. . . . La première série de ce beau recueil, composée de 24 volumes, est presque achevée. M. Max Müller se propose d'en publier une seconde, dont l'intérêt historique et religieux ne sera pas moindre. M. Max Müller a su se procurer la collaboration des savans les plus éminens d'Europe et d'Asie. L'Université d'Oxford, que cette grande publication honore an plus haut degré, doit tenir à continuer dans les plus larges proportions une œuvre aussi philosophiquement conçue que savamment exécutée.'
EXTRACT from the QUARTERLY REVIEW.
'We rejoice to notice that a second series of these translations has been announced and has actually begun to appear. The stones, at least, out of which a stately edifice may hereafter arise, are here being brought together. Prof. Max Müller has deserved well of scientific history. Not a few minds owe to his enticing words their first attraction to this branch of study. But no work of his, not even the great edition of the Rig-Veda, can compare in importance or in usefulness with this English translation of the Sacred Books of the East, which has been devised by his foresight, successfully brought so far by his persuasive and organising power, and will, we trust, by the assistance of the distinguished scholars he has gathered round him, be carried in due time to a happy completion.'
Professor E. HARDY, Inaugural Lecture in the University of Freiburg, 1887.
'Die allgemeine vergleichende Religionswissenschaft datirt von jenem grossartigen, in seiner Art einzig dastehenden Unternehmen, zu welchem auf Anregung Max Müllers im Jahre 1874 auf dem internationalen Orientalistencongress in London der Grundstein gelegt worden war, die Übersetzung der heiligen Bücher des Ostens' (the Sacred Books of the East).
The Hon. ALBERT S. G. CANNING, 'Words on Existing Religions.'
'The recent publication of the "Sacred Works of the East" in English is surely a great event in the annals of theological literature.'
Oxford AT THE CLARENDON PRESS LONDON: HENRY FROWDE OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS WAREHOUSE, AMEN CORNER, E.C.
FIRST SERIES.
Vol. I. The Upanishads.
Translated by F. Max Müller. Part I. The Khândogya-upanishad, The Talavakâra-upanishad, The Aitareya-âranyaka, The Kaushîtaki-brâhmana-upanishad, and The Vâganeyi-samhitâ-upanishad. 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
The Upanishads contain the philosophy of the Veda. They have become the foundation of the later Vedânta doctrines, and indirectly of Buddhism. Schopenhauer, speaking of the Upanishads, says: 'In the whole world there is no study so beneficial and so elevating as that of the Upanishads. It has been the solace of my life, it will be the solace of my death.'
[See also Vol. XV.]
Vol. II. The Sacred Laws of the Âryas,
As taught in the Schools of Âpastamba, Gautama, Vâsishtha, and Baudhâyana. Translated by Georg Bühler. Part I. Âpastamba and Gautama. 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
The Sacred Laws of the Âryas contain the original treatises on which the Laws of Manu and other lawgivers were founded.
[See also Vol. XIV.]
Vol. III. The Sacred Books of China.
The Texts of Confucianism. Translated by James Legge. Part I. The Shû King, The Religious Portions of the Shih King, and The Hsiâo King. 8vo, cloth, 12s. 6d.
Confucius was a collector of ancient traditions, not the founder of a new religion. As he lived in the sixth and fifth centuries B.C. his works are of unique interest for the study of Ethology.
[See also Vols. XVI, XXVII, XXVIII, XXXIX, and XL.]
Vol. IV. The Zend-Avesta.
Translated by James Darmesteter. Part I. The Vendîdâd. 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
[See also Vols. XXIII and XXXI.]
Vol. V. Pahlavi Texts.
Translated by E. W. West. Part I. The Bundahis, Bahman Yast, and Shâyast lâ-shâyast. 8vo, cloth, 12s. 6d.
The Pahlavi Texts comprise the theological literature of the revival of Zoroaster's religion, beginning with the Sassanian dynasty. They are important for a study of Gnosticism.
Vols. VI and IX. The Qur'ân.
Parts I and II. Translated by E. H. Palmer. 8vo, cloth, 21s.
This translation, carried out according to his own peculiar views of the origin of the Qur'ân, was the last great work of E. H. Palmer, before he was murdered in Egypt.
Vol. VII. The Institutes of Vishnu.
Translated by Julius Jolly. 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
A collection of legal aphorisms, closely connected with one of the oldest Vedic schools, the KaMas, but considerably added to in later time. Of importance for a critical study of the Laws of Manu.
Translated by Kâshinâth Trimbak Telang. 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
The earliest philosophical and religious poem of India. It has been paraphrased in Arnold's 'Song Celestial.'
Vol. X. The Dhammapada,
Translated from Pâli by F. Max Müller; and
Vol. X. The Sutta-Nipâta,
Translated from Pâli by V. Fausböll; being Canonical Books of the Buddhists. 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
The Dhammapada contains the quintessence of Buddhist morality. The Sutta-Nipâta gives the authentic teaching of Buddha on some of the fundamental principles of religion.
​Vol. XI. Buddhist Suttas.
Translated from Pâli by T. W. Rhys Davids, 1. The Mahâ-parinibbâna Suttanta; 2. The Dhamma-kakka-ppavattana Sutta. 3. The Tevigga Suttanta; 4. The Âkaṅkheyya Sutta; 5. The Ketokhila Sutta; 6. The Mahâ-sudassana Suttanta; 7. The Sabbâsava Sutta. 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
A collection of the most important religious, moral, and philosophical discourses taken from the sacred canon of the Buddhists.
Translated by Julius Eggeling. Part I. Books I and II. 8vo, cloth, 12s. 6d.
A minute account of the sacrificial ceremonies of the Vedic age. It contains the earliest account of the Deluge in India.
[See also Vols. XXVI, XLI.]
Vol. XIII. Vinaya Texts.
Translated from the Pâli by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg. Part I. The Pâtimokkha. The Mahâvagga, I–IV. 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
The Vinaya Texts give for the first time a translation of the moral code of the Buddhist religion as settled in the third century B. C.
[See also Vols. XVII and XX.]
Vol. XIV. The Sacred Laws of the Âryas,
As taught in the Schools of Âpastamba, Gautama, Vâsishtha, and Baudhâyana. Translated by Georg Bühler. Part II. Vâsishtha and Baudhâyana, 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
Vol. XV. The Upanishads.
Translated by F. Max Müller. Part II. The Katha-upanishad, The Mundaka-upanishad, The Taittirîyaka-upanishad, The Brihadâranyaka-upanishad, The Svetâsvatara-upanishad, The Prasña-upanishad, and The Maitrâyana-brâhmana-upanishad. 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
Vol. XVI. The Sacred Books of China.
The Texts of Confucianism. Translated by James Legge. Part II. The Yî King. 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
[See also Vols. XXVII, XXVIII.]
Vol. XVII. Vinaya Texts.
Translated from the Pâli by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg. Part II. The Mahâvagga, V–X. The Kullavagga, I–III. 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
​Vol. XVIII. Pahlavi Texts.
Translated by E. W. West. Part II. The Dâdistân-î Dînîk and The Epistles of Mânûskîhar. 8vo, cloth, 12s. 6d.
Vol. XIX. The Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.
A Life of Buddha by Asvaghosha Bodhisattva, translated from Sanskrit into Chinese by Dharmaraksha, a.d. 420, and from Chinese into English by Samuel Beal. 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
This life of Buddha was translated from Sanskrit into Chinese, A.D. 420. It contains many legends, some of which show a certain similarity to the Evangelium infantiae, &c.
Vol. XX. Vinaya Texts.
Translated from the Pâli by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg. Part III. The Kullavagga, IV–XII. 8vo, cloth, 10s, 6d.
Translated by H. Kern. 8vo, cloth, 12s. 6d.
'The Lotus of the true Law,' a canonical book of the Northern Buddhists, translated from Sanskrit. There is a Chinese translation of this book which was finished as early as the year 286 A.D.
Vol. XXII. Gaina-Sûtras.
Translated from Prâkrit by Hermann Jacobi. Part I. The Âkârâṅga-Sûtra and The Kalpa-Sûtra. 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
The religion of the Gainas was founded by a contemporary of Buddha. It still counts numerous adherents in India, while there are no Buddhists left in India proper.
Part II, in preparation.
vol. XXIII. The Zend-Avesta.
Translated by James Darmesteter. Part II. The Sîrôzahs, Yasts, and Nyâyis. 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
Vol. XXIV. Pahlavi Texts.
Translated by E. W. West. Part III. Dînâ-î Maînôg-Khirad, Sikand-gûmânîk Vigâr, and Sad Dar. 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
SECOND SERIES.
Vol. XXV. Manu.
Translated by Georg Buhler. 8vo, cloth, 21s.
This translation is founded on that of Sir William Jones, which has been carefully revised and corrected with the help of seven native Commentaries. An Appendix contains all the quotations from Manu which are found in the Hindu Law-books, translated for the use of the Law Courts in India. Another Appendix gives a synopsis of parallel passages from the six Dharma-sûtras, the other Smritis, the Upanishads, the Mahâbharata, &c.
Vol. XXVI. The Satapatha-Brâhmana.
Translated by Julius Eggeling. Part II. Books III and IV, 8vo, cloth, 12s. 6d.
Vols. XXVII and XXVIII. The Sacred Books of China.
The Texts of Confucianism. Translated by James Legge. Parts III and IV. The Lî Kî, or Collection of Treatises on the Rules of Propriety, or Ceremonial Usages. 8vo, cloth, 12s. 6d. each.
Vol. XXIX. The Grizhya-Sûtras, Rules of Vedic Domestic Ceremonies.
Part I. Sâṅkhâyana, Âsvalâyana, Pâraskara, Khâdira. Translated by Hermann Oldenberg. 8vo, cloth, 12s. 6d.
These rules of Domestic Ceremonies describe the home life of the ancient Âryas with a completeness and accuracy unmatched in any other literature. Some of these rules have been incorporated in the ancient Law-books.
Vol. XXX. The Grihya-Sûtras, Rules of Vedic Domestic Ceremonies.
Part II. Gobhila, Hiranyakesin, Âpastamba. Translated by Hermann Oldenberg. Âpastamba, Yagña-paribhâshâ-sûtras. Translated by F. Max Müller. 8vo, cloth, 12s. 6d.
Vol. XXXI. The Zend-Avesta.
Part III. The Yasna, Visparad, Âfrînagân, Gâths, and Miscellaneous Fragments. Translated by L. H. Mills. 8vo, cloth, 12s. 6d.
Vol. XXXII. Vedic Hymns.
Translated by F. Max Müller. Part I. 8vo, cloth, 18s. 6d.
​Vol. XXXIII. The Minor Law-books.
Translated by Julius Jolly. Part I. Narada, Brihaspati. 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
Translated by G. Thibaut. 8vo, cloth, 12s. 6d.
Vol. XXXV. The Questions of King Milinda. Part I.
Translated from the Pâli by T. W. Rhys Davids. 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d.
Vol. XXXVI. The Questions of King Milinda. Part II.
[In the Press.]
Part I. Translated by E. W. West. 8vo, cloth, 15s.
Vol. XXXVIII. The Vedânta-Sûtras. Part II.
[In the Press.]
Vols. XXXIX and XL. The Sacred Books of China.
The Texts of Tâoism. Translated by James Legge. 8vo, cloth, 21s.
Vol. XLI. The Satapatha-Brâhmana. Part III.
Translated by Julius Eggeling. 8vo, cloth, 12s. 6d.
Vol. XLII. Hymns of the Atharva-veda.
Translated by M. Bloomfield. [In preparation.]
Vols. XLIII and XLIV. The Satapatha-Brâhmana.
Parts IV and V. [In preparation.]
Vol. XLV. The Gaina-Sûtras. Part II.
[In the Press.]
Vol. XLVI. The Vedânta-Sûtras. Part III.
[In the Press.]
Vol. XLVII. The Contents of the Nasks. Part II.
[In preparation.]
Vol. XLVIII. Vedic Hymns. Part II.
[In preparation.]
Vol. XLIX. Buddhist Mahâyâna Texts.
Buddha-karita, translated by E. B. Cowell. Sukhâvatî-vyûha,Vagrakkhe-dikâ, &c, translated by F. Max Müller. Amitâyur-Dhyâna-Sûtra, translated by J. Takakusu. [Now ready.]
Anecdota Oxoniensia. ARYAN SERIES.
Edited by F. Max Müller, M.A. Small 4to, 3s. 6d.
One of the most famous metaphysical treatises of the Mahâyâna Buddhists.
Edited by F. Max Müller, M.A., and Bunyiu Nanjio. With two Appendices: (1) Text and Translation of Saṅghavarman's Chinese Version of the Poetical Portions of the Sukhâvatî-Vyûha; (2) Sanskrit Text of the Smaller Sukhâvatî-Vyûha. Small 4to, 7s. 6d.
The editio princeps of the Sacred Book of one of the largest and most influential sects of Buddhism, numbering more than ten millions of followers in Japan alone.
Edited by F. Max Müller, M.A., and Bunyiu Nanjio, M.A. With an Appendix by G. Bühler, C.I.E. With many Plates. Small 4to, 10s.
Contains facsimiles of the oldest Sanskrit MS. at present known.
Prepared for publication by Kenjiu Kasawara, a Buddhist Priest from Japan, and, after his death, edited by F. Max Müller and H. Wenzel. Small 4to, 7s. 6d.
With Extracts from Shadgurusishya's Commentary entitled Vedârthadîpikâ. Edited by A. A. Macdonell, M.A., Ph.D. 16s.
Oxford AT THE CLARENDON PRESS LONDON: HENRY FROWDE OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS WAREHOUSE, AMEN CORNER, E.C.
* Volume 1: The Upanishads, part 1 of 2 (1879)
       translated by Max Müller
* Volume 2: The Sacred Laws of the Âryas, part 1 of 2 (1879)
       translated by Georg Bühler
* Volume 3: The Sacred Books of China, part 1 of 6 (1879)
       translated by James Legge
* Volume 4: The Zend-Avesta, part 1 of 3 (1880)
       translated by James Darmesteter
* Volume 5: Pahlavi Texts, part 1 of 5 (1880)
       translated by E. W. West
* Volume 6: The Qur'an, part 1 of 2 (1880)
       translated by E. H. Palmer
* Volume 7: The Institutes of Visnu (1880)
       translated by Julius Jolly
* Volume 8: The Bhagavadgita With the Sanatsugâtiya and the Anugitâ (1882)
       translated by Kâshinâth Trimbak Telang
* Volume 9: The Qur'an, part 2 of 2 (1880)
       translated by E. H. Palmer
* Volume 10: The Dhammapada and The Sutta-Nipâta (1881)
       translated by F. Max Müller (Dhammapada) and Viggo Fausböll (Sutta-Nipata)
* Volume 11: Buddhist Suttas (1881)
       translated by T. W. Rhys Davids
* Volume 12: The Satapatha-Brahmana, part 1 of 5 (1882)
       translated by Julius Eggeling
* Volume 13: Vinaya Texts, part 1 of 3 (1881)
       translated by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg
* Volume 14: The Sacred Laws of the Âryas, part 2 of 2 (1882)
       translated by Georg Bühler
* Volume 15: The Upanishads, part 2 of 2 (1884)
       translated by Max Müller
* Volume 16: The Sacred Books of China, part 2 of 6 (1882)
       translated by James Legge
* Volume 17: Vinaya Texts, part 2 of 3 (1882)
       translated by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg
* Volume 18: Pahlavi Texts, part 2 of 5 (1882)
       translated by E. W. West
* Volume 19: The Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king (1883)
       translated by Samuel Beal
* Volume 20: Vinaya Texts, part 3 of 3 (1885)
       translated by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg
* Volume 21: The Saddharma-Pundarika or The Lotus of the True Law (1884)
       translated by H. Kern
* Volume 22: Gaina Sûtras, part 1 of 2 (1884)
       translated by Hermann Jacobi
* Volume 23: The Zend-Avesta, part 2 of 3 (1883)
       translated by James Darmesteter
* Volume 24: Pahlavi Texts, part 3 of 5 (1884)
       translated by E. W. West
* Volume 25: The Laws of Manu (1886)
       translated by Georg Bühler
* Volume 26: The Satapatha-Brahmana, part 2 of 5 (1885)
       translated by Julius Eggeling
* Volume 27: The Sacred Books of China, part 3 of 6 (1885)
       translated by James Legge
* Volume 28: The Sacred Books of China, part 4 of 6 (1885)
       translated by James Legge
* Volume 29: The Grihya-sutras; rules of Vedic domestic ceremonies, part 1 of 2 (1886)
       translated by Hermann Oldenberg
* Volume 30: The Grihya-sutras; rules of Vedic domestic ceremonies, part 2 of 2 (1892)
       translated by Hermann Oldenberg
* Volume 31: The Zend-Avesta, part 3 of 3 (1887)
       translated by L. H. Mills
* Volume 32: Vedic Hymns, part 1 of 2 (1891)
       translated by Max Müller
* Volume 33: The Minor Law-Books: Narada and Brihaspati (1889)
       translated by Julius Jolly
* Volume 34: The Vedanta-Sutras, part 1 of 3 (1890)
       translated by G. Thibaut
* Volume 35: The Questions of King Milinda, part 1 of 2 (1890)
       translated by T. W. Rhys Davids
* Volume 36: The Questions of King Milinda, part 2 of 2 (1894)
       translated by T. W. Rhys Davids
* Volume 37: Pahlavi Texts, part 4 of 5 (1892)
       translated by E. W. West
* Volume 38: The Vedanta-Sutras, part 2 of 3 (1896)
       translated by G. Thibaut
* Volume 39: The Texts of Taoism, Part 1 of 2 (1891)
       translated by James Legge
* Volume 40: The Texts of Taoism, Part 2 of 2 (1891)
       translated by James Legge
* Volume 41: The Satapatha-Brahmana, part 3 of 5 (1894)
       translated by Julius Eggeling
* Volume 42: Hymns of the Atharva-Veda (1897)
       translated by M. Bloomfield
* Volume 43: The Satapatha-Brahmana, part 4 of 5 (1897)
       translated by Julius Eggeling
* Volume 44: The Satapatha-Brahmana, part 5 of 5 (1900)
       translated by Julius Eggeling
* Volume 45: Gaina Sûtras, part 2 of 2 (1895)
       translated by Hermann Jacobi
* Volume 46: Vedic Hymns, part 2 of 2 (1897)
       translated by Hermann Oldenberg
* Volume 47: Pahlavi Texts, part 5 of 5 (1897)
       translated by E. W. West
* Volume 48: The Vedanta-Sutras, vol 3 of 3 (1904)
       translated by G. Thibaut
* Volume 49: Buddhist Mahâyâna Texts (1894)
       translated by E. B. Cowell, F. Max Müller and J. Takakusu
* Volume 50: General index (1910)
       by J. M. Winternitz, with a preface by A. A. Macdonell
This work is a translation and has a separate copyright status to the applicable copyright protections of the original content.