Composed in vernacular Korean by Powŏl, P’alsangnok, or Record of the Eight Marks, is an influential pre-modern fictional biography of the Buddha that chronicles the life of Śākyamuni through eight transformative stages, from his celestial origins to his final moments.Life of the Buddha illuminates the rich tapestry of Chosŏn Buddhism as translated by Canadian missionary James Scarth Gale in 1915. With nearly four decades of immersion in Korean culture, Gale’s expertise ensures that this translation retains the essence of the original, while highlighting unique local teachings alongside the broader Buddhist biographical tradition. The book offers a comprehensive introduction to P’alsangnok and compiles an extensive list of Buddha biographies published in European languages from the mid-nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries, aiming to evaluate Gale’s impact on the discursive formation of Buddhism in the West.Edited by Hyangsoon Yi, this groundbreaking volume examines the dynamic interplay between popular Buddhist practice and literature during the Chosŏn era, offering a vital opportunity to explore intercultural and interreligious dialogues and the enduring relevance of Buddhist teachings.
James Scarth Gale
James Scarth Gale (1863–1937) was a Canadian Presbyterian missionary, educator, and Bible translator who spent forty years in Korea.
Hyangsoon Yi
Hyangsoon Yi is a professor of comparative literature at the University of Georgia.
Editorial Reviews
 | “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
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| “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, and 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
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