88 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Christianity with a rationalistic outlook - all under the inspiring banner of his unflagging faith in the teachings of the Great Buddha.
In recent times many people from different parts of India have been asking me to recommend a good book on Buddhism. In responding to their wishes, I felt no hesitation in suggesting Prof. Narasu’s book. For, I think that it is the best book on Buddhism that has appeared so far. Unfortunately, the book has been out of print for a long time. I, therefore, decided to reprint it so that the desire of those who have an interest in the teachings of Buddhism may have in their hand a text which is complete in its treatment and lucid in its exposition. I must thank the representatives of the old firm of Varadachari and Co., Madras, who held the copy right of the original publication for permission to reprint the book.
In writing this foreword to this reprint, it was my intention to deal with some of the Criticisms which have been levelled against the teachings of Buddha by his adversaries—past and present. I have given up that intention for two reasons. In the first place, my health will not permit me to engage myself in this task. Secondly, I am myself working on a Life of Buddha and I think that I could deal with this matter better in my own work wherein I could do more justice to it than in a foreword to another man’s work. I have taken this decision more especially bacause I am sure that the reader of Prof. Narasu’s book will not suffer in any way as a result of my decision.
B. R. Ambedkar. [1]
“RAJ GRAHA,”
HINDU COLONY, DADAR,
BOMBAY 14.
10 th March 1948.
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(First edition 1907, Second edition 1912)
1 : Third edition 1948 by Thacker and Co. Ltd, Rampart Row, Bombay.