Skip to main content

Secondary sourceBook1914

The Way of the Buddha

Herbert Baynes · 1914

A short 1914 introduction to Buddhism covering the Buddha's birth, teachings, disciples, and the order he founded.

An early 20th-century English introduction to the Buddha's life and teachings for Western readers.

Ask Buddha about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
The Way of the BuddhaPDF · 144 pages
Herbert Baynes, The Way of the Buddha, 1914. John Murray, London.

About this source

What it is

This is a short general introduction to Buddhism written by Herbert Baynes, first published in 1906 and reprinted in 1914 as part of the "Wisdom of the East" series published by John Murray in London. It covers chapters on the Buddha's birth and youth, his first sermon, his disciples, and the ideal Buddhist.

Why it matters

Books like this introduced Western readers in the early twentieth century to Buddhist teachings and the traditional story of the Buddha's life. They show how interest in Eastern religions and philosophy was growing in Britain at the time.

Look closer

  • Who was this book written for, and how might that shape what it includes or leaves out?
  • Why might a book written in London in the early 1900s be a secondary rather than a primary source about the Buddha?
  • What chapters would you expect in a book meant to summarize someone's whole teaching and life?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Buddha on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Buddha sources

Meet the AI Buddha →
A large upright marble slab with a red-painted rim and a tablet-shaped top, inscribed with dense Burmese script in many lines. A framed title panel sits at the top, and paper inscriptions are on the wall behind it in a stone-walled alcove.Book

Secondary source

Dhammapada

Attributed to the Buddha · c. 3rd century BCE compilation

Painted leaf of a palm-leaf or wooden-board style manuscript showing a seated, yellow-faced Buddha in red robes in meditation pose, flanked by two small figures, with black and red borders and script at the sides.Painting

Secondary source

Buddha in Dhyana, Perfection of Wisdom Sutra Manuscript

1074

Grey stone sculpture of the head of a Buddha with tightly curled wavy hair in a high topknot, downcast eyes, a small raised dot on the forehead, and a broken neck base. Photographed against a pale background.Sculpture

Secondary source

Head of the Buddha, Gandhara style

Diagram of the Tipiṭaka structure. Top box TIPIṬAKA branches into three: Vinayapiṭaka (Suttavibhaṅga, Khandhaka, Parivāra), Suttapiṭaka (five Nikāyas including Khuddakanikāya), and Abhidhammapiṭaka (seven books). Khuddakanikāya's fifteen texts are listed below.Book

Secondary source

Pali Canon (Tipitaka)

Early Buddhist sangha · oral from 5th century BCE; written c. 29 BCE

A photo of the cover board of a folding book with a red lacquered background and gold floral scrollwork, with a vertical green panel bearing gold Burmese script lettering in the center.Document

Secondary source

Life of the Buddha

19th century

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Buddha now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions