Page:The Story of Barlaam & Joasaph - Buddhism & Christianity.djvu/9

( iii ) any information he might possess on the subject. He lost no time in sending me the following reply:—

"Dear Sir,

Your letter of 24th April to Aberdeen has reached me. The book you mention will doubtless come in due course. Pray accept my thanks for it, especially as it happens that many points of interest are connected with it.

"As to your question, I think there can be no hesitation. There is not a trace of evidence that Buddhism or Buddhistic ideas were known in Asia Minor in the first century after Christ. Even as to Mithraic rites and ceremonies, there is marvellously little trace of them in Asia Minor throughout the Roman period, as results from the very complete collection of evidence and monuments now being made (and already in part published) by M. Franz Cumont. Mithraism spread in Rome, but not in Asia Minor. I am not intending to imply that Mithraism is Buddhism, but it is held by many that Mithraism was much affected by Buddhism.

"Almost the only proof that Mithraic ritual had spread into Asia Minor is an inscription of Amorion, discovered by myself, in which the feast called Mithrákana is mentioned.

"I am yours very truly, "

While it is hoped that all its readers will be interested in the work as a whole, it is only, it must be borne in mind, the Appendix which is especially intended for the student of "the development of the English language."