Letter from Rev. C. Gutzlaff on Buddhist Literature in China

This material is held atRoyal Asiatic Society Archives

Scope and Content

'Copy of a letter by the Rev. C. Gutzlaff, dated Victoria, Hong Kong, 24 August 1846, on the subject of Buddhist literature'. Gutzlaff is replying to Colonel Sykes' enquiry about Buddhist literature and explains that the largest collection he has seen is on the 'Golden Island' and consists of 'beautifully bound volumes in yellow covers'. These were a present more than a century ago and the inscriptions he has seen are in Sanskrit. Gutzlaff then explains that collections in China are superseded by those in Siam (Thailand). He also informs that 'the land where Pali books are most valued is Cambodia'.

Administrative / Biographical History

Karl Friedrich August Gützlaff (Charles Gutzlaff), was a German Lutheran missionary to the Far East, one of the first Protestant missionaries in Bangkok, Thailand (1828) and Korea (1832). He was also the first Lutheran missionary to China. He was a magistrate in Ningpo and Chusan and the second Chinese Secretary of the British administration in Hong Kong.

Note

Karl Friedrich August Gützlaff (Charles Gutzlaff), was a German Lutheran missionary to the Far East, one of the first Protestant missionaries in Bangkok, Thailand (1828) and Korea (1832). He was also the first Lutheran missionary to China. He was a magistrate in Ningpo and Chusan and the second Chinese Secretary of the British administration in Hong Kong.

Additional Information

Published