WHAT IS BUDDHISM?
By Professor P. Lakshmi Narasu, B.A
Author of “Essence of Buddhism”and the former Representative of the Maha Bodhi Society in Madras
First Published 1916
Revised Edition 1946
Third Edition 1964
Maha Bodhi Society of India
4A. Bankim Chatterjee st
Calcutta
5478/1964/116p
INTRODUCTION
PROFESSOR LAKSHMI NARASU, the author of this book, was the leading Buddhist of Madras and ever since his conversion to Buddhism he had seen rendering very valuable service to the cause of the Dharma in South India.
Born in 1860, he graduated in Science from the Madras University in 1897 and was appointed a lecturer in Physics at the Trichinapoly Christian College. Some time later he joined the Staff of the Christian College, Madras, as an Assistant Professor of Physics which post he relinquished on being appointed Professor in Pachiappa’s College. This appointment he held till the year 1924 when he retired from educational service.
Prof. Narasu’s interest in Buddhism started very early in his life. He read every book on the subject avalable in English and supplement his knowledge with extensive readings from German and French authors as he was thoroughly conversant with both these languages. Convinced of the truths of Buddhism, on a visit to Colombo, he publicy embraced Buddhism as his faith.