Question

Who is known as the 'Light of Asia' in modern literature related to the Buddha's life?

• A. Edwin Arnold
• B. Rabindranath Tagore
• C. Max Muller
• D. T. W. Rhys Davids

Hint:

“The Light of Asia” is the title of the book, and Edwin Arnold is its author—this is a commonly asked exam point.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: The Light of Asia is a famous poetic work published in 1879 that presents the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha in an accessible and literary form for Western audiences. It played a significant role in introducing Buddhist philosophy to the modern world.
Step 1: Identify the literary work.
The Light of Asia is not a title given to a person, but rather a celebrated book about the Buddha.
Step 2: Recognize the author.
The work was written by Edwin Arnold, an English poet and journalist.
Step 3: Analyze the options.

• Edwin Arnold – author of The Light of Asia (correct)
• Rabindranath Tagore – Indian Nobel laureate poet
• Max Muller – scholar of Indology and Vedic texts
• T. W. Rhys Davids – Pali scholar and founder of the Pali Text Society

Step 4: Conclusion.
Thus, Edwin Arnold is associated with the work The Light of Asia, which popularized the life of the Buddha in modern literature.