This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 Excerpt: .its own law of property. It did not touch the existing laws of inheritance and succession, and in its migration to countries outside India it did not necessarily carry with it any rules or principles other than strictly non-secular.' This is perfectly true, and having regard to the histories of countries professing Buddhism, no other conclusion is possible.

Was Bengal, then, an exception? Much more evidence than is forthcoming is required to make it out to be such. It has already been shown that no inference can safely be drawn from the supposed predilection of Buddhism towards women 2. If' Buddhism has exalted woman, ' Hinduism has deified her. Things valued most in this world have been committed by the latter to the care of female deities; learning and wealth are both their valued gifts. In some phases of Hinduism, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is beneved to share all the attributes of God. There is a serious sectarian schism over this question among the Srivaishnavas of Southern India. The only other evidence referred to is the supposed influence of 1 Per Eai Saratchandradas Bahadur, CLE. (who is a great authority on the subject), in his article on ' Universities in Ancient India, 'published in the March, 1906, number of the Hindustan Review.

'Buddhism is not noted for having shown special favour to women. There were, of course, in the earliest times nuns as well as monks. But the general precept was to avoid even the sight of a woman. If, at the time of its origin, famous women are represented as having shown special favour and devotion to Buddha and his followers, and as being treated by them with respect, that was due to the general social condition that existed previous to the rise of Buddhism '--per Dr. Bhandarkar. Buddhism 'on the position of women.