The Light of Asia

"The Light of Asia" by Sir Edwin Arnold is a story told in verse that recounts the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, from his miraculous birth to his profound enlightenment. It begins with the wondrous signs that heralded Siddhartha's arrival and shows his sheltered youth, filled with kindness but increasingly troubled by the world's pain. Witnessing suffering sparks his quest for truth, setting him on a path of meditation and discovery in search of a way to end human misery. This sets the stage for the transformative journey that defines his life and teachings.