The Sacred Books of the East | all 50 Volumes | PDF Free Download

The Sacred Books of the East represents a monumental endeavor initiated by Max Müller and a number of contributors between 1879 and 1910. This collective effort was published by Oxford University Press, and many of the resulting translations remain the sole or most accurate versions available today. These translations constitute some of the most significant literary works compiled in a single collection throughout history. While it is not feasible to purchase the entire set of these volumes, both Google Books and Microsoft have made considerable efforts to digitize them from library archives, as they are now in the Public Domain. It is important to note that these volumes are substantial, with some files exceeding 50 MB and containing up to 3,000 pages. In total, The Sacred Books of the East encompass over one hundred thousand pages. The books are now in the Public Domain and can be accessed here for free download in their entirety.

"The Sacred Books of the East" is an extensive 50-volume collection of translations of Asian religious texts, overseen by Max Müller, a distinguished philologist and Orientalist originally from Germany. Released between 1879 and 1910, this series sought to render the sacred writings of Eastern religions accessible to Western readers. It encompasses translations from various traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, Confucianism, and others.

Key Features of The Sacred Books of the East:

1. Scope and Content:

This series encompasses a diverse array of religious and philosophical writings from Asia, featuring:

1. Hinduism: Translations of the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Laws of Manu, and Vedas.
2. Buddhism: Works such as the Dhammapada, Lotus Sutra, and Jataka Tales.
3. Jainism: Texts including the Kalpa Sutra and Akaranga Sutra.
4. Zoroastrianism: Translations of the Avesta, notably the Yasna and Vendidad.
5. Taoism: The Tao Te Ching and other significant Taoist writings.
6. Confucianism: The Analects of Confucius and The Book of Filial Piety.
7. Islam: Selections from the Quran and Hadith.

2. Contributors:

• The translations were executed by prominent scholars of the era, including Max Müller, James Legge, E.B. Cowell, T.W. Rhys Davids, among others.
• Each volume is accompanied by comprehensive introductions, annotations, and commentaries to aid readers in grasping the context and importance of the texts.

3. Purpose:

• This series reflects the broader 19th-century fascination with comparative religion and philology.
• It aimed to cultivate a deeper appreciation of Eastern religions and philosophies among Western academics and the general populace.

4. Legacy:

The Sacred Books of the East continues to serve as a vital resource for the study of Asian religions and philosophies.
It significantly contributed to the introduction of Eastern thought to the Western audience and remains a reference point for scholars today

Noteworthy Volumes in the Series:

• Volume 1: The Upanishads (Translated by Max Müller)
• Volume 2: The Sacred Laws of the Aryas (Translated by Georg Bühler)
• Volume 10: The Dhammapada and Sutta-Nipata (Translated by Max Müller and V. Fausböll)
• Volume 16: The Yi King (I Ching) (Translated by James Legge)
• Volume 25: The Laws of Manu (Translated by Georg Bühler)
• Volume 39: The Tao Te Ching (Translated by James Legge)

Example of a Text from the Series:

Below is an excerpt from the Bhagavad Gita (Volume 8 of the series):
Original Sanskrit:
योगस्थ: कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्यो: समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते।।
English Translation:
"Carry out your duty with a balanced mind, O Arjuna, relinquishing all attachment to outcomes. This state of equanimity is referred to as yoga."

Conclusion:

The Sacred Books of the East serve as an essential resource for those interested in the religious and philosophical heritage of Asia. It offers a thorough and scholarly introduction to the sacred texts of the East, rendering them accessible to a worldwide audience.

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1. The Upanishads, Part 1 of 2. Chandogya Upanishad. Talavakara (Kena) Upanishad. Aitareya Upanishad. Kausitaki Upanishad. Vajasaneyi (Isa) Upanishad
2. The Sacred Laws of the Aryas, vol. 1 of 2. The sacred laws of the Aryas as taught in the school of Apastamba, Gautama, Vâsishtha, and Baudhâyana. pt. I. Apastamba and Gautama. (The Dharma Sutras)
3. The Sacred Books of China, vol. 1 of 6. Part I of The Texts of Confucianism. The Shû king (Classic of History). The religions portions of the Shih king (Classic of Poetry). The Hsiâo king (Xiao Jing)
4. The Zend-Avesta, vol. 1 of 3. The Vendîdâd
5. Pahlavi Texts, vol. 1 of 5. The Bundahis, Bahman Yast, and Shayast La-Shayast
6. The Qur’an, vol. 1 of 2
7. The Institutes of Visnu
8. The Bhagavadgita With the Sanatsugâtiya and the Anugitâ
9. The Qur’an, vol. 2 of 2
10. The Dhammapada and The Sutta-Nipâta, a collection of discourses; being one of the canonical books of the Buddhists, translated from Pāli; and The Dhammapada, a collection of verses, translated from Pāli
11. Buddhist Suttas. The Mahâ-parinibbâna Suttanta, The Dhamma-kakka-ppavattana Sutta, The Tevigga Sutta’anta, The Âkankheyya Sutta’a, The Ketokhila Sutta’a, The Mahâ-Sudassana Sutta’anta, The Sabbâsava Sutta’a
12. The Satapatha Brahmana according to the text of the Mâdhyandina school, vol. 1 of 5
13. Vinaya Texts, vol. 1 of 3. The Patimokkha. The Mahavagga, I-IV
14. The Sacred Laws of the Aryas, vol. 2 of 2. The sacred laws of the Aryas as taught in the school of Apastamba, Gautama, Vâsishtha, and Baudhâyana. pt. II. Vâsishtha and Baudhâyana
15. The Upanishads, part 2 of 2. Katha Upanishad. Mundaka Upanishad. Taittiriya Upanishad. Brhadaranyaka Upanishad. Svetasvatara Upanishad. Prasña Upanishad. Maitrayani Upanishad
16. The Sacred Books of China, vol. 2 of 6. Part II of The Texts of Confucianism. The Yi King: (I Ching)
17. Vinaya Texts, vol. 2 of 3. The Mahavagga, V-X, the Kullavagga I-II
18. Pahlavi Texts, vol. 2 of 5. The Dâdistân-î Dinik and the Epistles of Mânûskîhar
19. The Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king, a life of Buddha, by Ashvaghosha, Bodhisattva; translated from Sanskrit into Chinese by Dharmaraksha, A. D. 420
20. Vinaya Texts, vol. 3 of 3. The Kullavagga, IV-XII
21. The Saddharma-Pundarika or The Lotus of the True Law
22. Jaina Sûtras, vol. 1 of 2, translated from the Prâkrit. The Âkârânga sûtra. The Kalpa sutra
23. The Zend-Avesta, vol. 2 of 3. The Sîrôzahs, Yasts, and Nyâyis
24. Pahlavi Texts, vol. 3 of 5. Dinai Mainög-i khirad, Sikand-Gümanik Vigar, Sad Dar
25. The Laws of Manu. Translated, with extracts from seven commentaries
26. The Satapatha Brahmana according to the text of the Mâdhyandina school, vol. 2 of 5, Books III-IV,
27. The Sacred Books of China, vol. 3 of 6. Part III of the texts of Confucianism. The Lî Kî (Book of Rites), part 1 of 2
28. The Sacred Books of China, vol. 4 of 6. Part IV of the texts of Confucianism. The Lî Kî (Book of Rites), part 2 of 2
29. The Grihya-sutras; rules of Vedic domestic ceremonies. vol. 1 of 2. Sankhyayana-Grihya-sutra. Asvalayana-Grihya-sutra. Paraskara-Grihya-sutra. Khadia-Grihya-sutra
30. The Grihya-sutras; rules of Vedic domestic ceremonies. vol. 2 of 2. Gobhila, Hiranyakesin, Apastamba (Olderberg); Yajña Paribhashasutras (Müller)
31. The Zend-Avesta, vol. 3 of 3. The Yasna, Visparad, Afrînagân, Gâhs, and miscellaneous fragments
32. Vedic Hymns, vol. 1 of 2. Hymns to the Maruts, Rudra, Vâyu, and Vâta., with a bibliographical list of the more important publications on the Rig-veda
33. The Minor Law-Books: Brihaspati. (Part 1 of 1)
34. The Vedanta-Sutras, vol. 1 of 3. Commentary by Sankaracharya, part 1 of 2. Adhyâya I-II (Pâda I-II)
35. The Questions of King Milinda, vol. 1 of 2. Milindapañha
36. The Questions of King Milinda, vol. 2 of 2. Milindapañha
37. Pahlavi Texts, vol. 4 of 5. Contents of the Nasks
38. The Vedanta-Sutras, vol. 2 of 3, commentary by Sankaracharya, part 1 of 2. Adhyâya II (Pâda III-IV) -IV
39. The Texts of Taoism, Part 1 of 2. The Sacred Books of China, vol. 5 of 6. Also: The Tâo the king (Tao te Ching): The writings of Kwang-tze, books I-XVII
40. The Texts of Taoism, Part 2 of 2. Includes The Writings of Kwang Tse, books XVII-XXXIII, The Thâi-shang tractate of actions and their retributions, other Taoist texts, and the Index to vols. 39 and 40
41. The Satapatha Brahmana according to the text of the Mâdhyandina school, vol. 3 of 5. Books V, VI, VII
42. Hymns of the Atharvaveda, Together With Extracts From the Ritual Books and the Commentaries
43. The Satapatha Brahmana according to the text of the Mâdhyandina school, vol. 4 of 5, Books VII, IX, X
44. The Satapatha Brahmana according to the text of the Mâdhyandina school, vol. 5 of 5, Books XI, XII, XIII, XIV
45. Jaina Sûtras, vol. 2 of 2, translated from Prâkrit. The Uttarâdhyayana Sûtra, The Sûtrakritânga Sûtra
46. Vedic Hymns, vol. 2 of 2. Hymns to Agni (Mandalas I-V)
47. Pahlavi Texts, vol. 5 of 5. Marvels of Zoroastrianism
48. The Vedanta-Sutras, vol. 3 of 3, with the commentary of Râmânuja
49. Buddhist Mahâyâna Texts. Part 1. The Buddha-karita of Asvaghosha, translated from the Sanskrit by E. B. Cowell. Part 2. The larger Sukhâvatî-vyûha, the smaller Sukhâvatî-vyûha, the Vagrakkedikâ, the larger Pragñâ-pâramitâ-hridaya-sûtra, the smaller Pragñâ-pâramitâ-hridaya-sûtra, translated by F. Max Müller. The Amitâyur dhyâna-sûtra, translated by J. Takakusu
50. General index to the names and subject-matter of the sacred books of the East