Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 3

"Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 3" by Charles Eliot is a journey through time that charts the course of Indian culture, specifically Buddhism, as it ripples outward into the civilizations of Eastern Asia. This book acts as a guide, revealing how these beliefs and customs gently yet powerfully reshaped societies in places as diverse as Ceylon, Burma, Japan, and China. It is an exploration of the ties between Hinduism and Buddhism and their deep effects on the lands they touched, with an emphasis on the transmission of religious ideas, art, and ways of life from India to distant shores. The narrative reflects on transformative episodes and the work of missionaries, noting how cultural exchanges flowed mainly from India, leaving a lasting mark on the East.