Brings together a broad spectrum of research and translations from Chinese, Burmese, Tibetan and Pali Buddhist sources. Includes collected folklore and early studies on the life of the Buddha; Dutt's prize-winning investigation of Buddhist monks in ancient India; Beal's insightful travel-log offering a valuable sourcebook of ancient Indian history; Edkin's important early work detailing the history of Buddhism and its spread through China; and Bigandet's modestly titled text providing a complete exposition of the great system of Eastern Asia. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.