"With Life of the Buddha, Hyangsoon Yi has rescued a manuscript translation from 1915 of a little-known popular Korean Buddhist book and places it firmly in the complex social, cultural, and religious changes of Korea in the early twentieth century. Readers interested in Buddhism, Korean religions, and the role of Christian missionaries at that pivotal moment in Korean history have much to learn from this fascinating book."
- Gregory N. Evon, Senior Lecturer in Humanities & Languages, UNSW Sydney "Life of the Buddha is a true gem of Buddhist literature, both in Korea and beyond—a must-read for those interested in Buddhism, global Christian missions, modernity, and colonialism. It reveals that the significance of the historical Buddha was not merely a modern Western construct shaped by comparisons to the historical Jesus, but a product of rich interreligious and intercultural exchanges. This is exemplified through the meticulous translation by Canadian missionary James Scarth Gale, further enriched by Hyangsoon Yi’s insightful introduction, which situates Gale’s work within broader religious, literary, and cultural contexts."
- Hwansoo Kim, Professor of Korean Buddhism and Culture, Yale University
