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This album represents the origin of Indian culture, the development of Buddhism and permanent influence, which Buddhism has exerted upon India's cultural history. It shows how Buddhism is even today a vital force in the life of the Indian people.

THE WAY OF THE BUDDHA is published as a companion volume to the book 2500 Years of Buddhism. It has been designed as an album narrating in pictures the life-story of the Buddha and the growth and spread of Buddhism. With the help of illustrations representing the best specimens of art from India and abroad, the volume has been divided into seven sections.

The illustrations have been arranged theme wise and on a chronological basis.

Each section begins with a series of select quotations from the original Pali and Sanskrit texts, with their translations in English. These quotations have a direct bearing upon the pictorial material that follows and would serve as a textual introductory background.

The notes at the end of the volume would enable the reader to understand better and appreciate the illustrative matter. They give necessary information about each picture which would serve as a guide to the student of art. Separate photographs, at appropriate places, have been added about a picture or a group of pictures which, read independently and also give in words the whole story.

Having regard to the general concept of the book, it was felt that the most appropriate introduction to it would be through the words of Gandhiji. The book, therefore, begins with Gandhiji's tribute to the Buddha.