NOTICE

ΤΟ

THE THIRD EDITION.

THE call for a third edition on the same day that the second was announced for publication, and within less than two months from the appearance of the first, bas furnished a gratifying assurance of the interest which the public are disposed to take in the subject of the present work.

Thus encouraged, I have felt it my duty to make several alterations in the present impression, amongst the most important of which is the insertion of a Chapter on the doctrines of Buddhism as it developes itself in Ceylon.' In the historical sections I had already given an account of its introduction by Mahindo, and of the establishments founded by successive sovereigns for its preservation and diffusion. To render the narrative complete, it was felt desirable to insert an abstract of the peculiar tenets of the Buddhists; and this want it has been my object to supply. The sketch, it will be borne in mind, is confined to the principal features of what has been denominated "Southern Buddhism" amongst the Singhalese; as distinguished from "Northern Buddhism" in Nepal, Thibet, and China. The latter has been largely illustrated by the labours

1 See Part IV., c. xi.

2 MAX MÜLLER, History of Sanskrit Literature, p. 262.