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Life of the Buddha

James Scarth Gale Hyangsoon Yi

$89.99

Hardback

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English
University of Toronto Press
11 March 2026
Composed in vernacular Korean by Powl, P'alsangnok, or Record of the Eight Marks, is an influential pre-modern fictional biography of the Buddha that chronicles the life of kyamuni through eight transformative stages, from his celestial origins to his final moments.

and compiles an extensive list of Buddha biographies published in European languages from the mid-nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries, aiming to evaluate Gale's impact on the discursive formation of Buddhism in the West. Edited by Hyangsoon Yi, this groundbreaking volume examines the dynamic interplay between popular Buddhist practice and literature during the Chosn era, offering a vital opportunity to explore intercultural and interreligious dialogues and the enduring relevance of Buddhist teachings.
By:  
Edited by:  
Imprint:   University of Toronto Press
Country of Publication:   Canada
Dimensions:   Height: 231mm,  Width: 155mm,  Spine: 30mm
Weight:   520g
ISBN:   9781487503925
ISBN 10:   148750392X
Series:   James Scarth Gale Library of Korean Literature
Pages:   270
Publication Date:  
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Primary
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active

James Scarth Gale was a Canadian Presbyterian missionary, educator, and Bible translator in Korea. Hyangsoon Yi is a professor of comparative literature at the University of Georgia.

Reviews for Life of the Buddha

""With Life of the Buddha, Hyangsoon Yi has rescued a manuscript translation from 1915 of a little-known popular Korean Buddhist book and places it firmly in the complex social, cultural, and religious changes of Korea in the early twentieth century. Readers interested in Buddhism, Korean religions, and the role of Christian missionaries at that pivotal moment in Korean history have much to learn from this fascinating book."" -- Gregory N. Evon, Senior Lecturer in Humanities & Languages, UNSW Sydney ""Life of the Buddha is a true gem of Buddhist literature, both in Korea and beyond—a must-read for those interested in Buddhism, global Christian missions, modernity, and colonialism. It reveals that the significance of the historical Buddha was not merely a modern Western construct shaped by comparisons to the historical Jesus, but a product of rich interreligious and intercultural exchanges. This is exemplified through the meticulous translation by Canadian missionary James Scarth Gale, further enriched by Hyangsoon Yi’s insightful introduction, which situates Gale’s work within broader religious, literary, and cultural contexts."" -- Hwansoo Kim, Professor of Korean Buddhism and Culture, Yale University


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