The Sacred Books of the East

edited by Müller

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July 13, 2026

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The Sacred Books of the East is a 51-volume series of translations of Asian religious and philosophical texts, edited by German scholar Max Müller. Müller was a prominent figure in the study of comparative language, religion, and mythology, with a particular interest in Sanskrit philology and the religions of India.1

This series aimed to make some of Asia's most ancient and revered texts accessible in English. It included works crucial to understanding Hinduism, such as the Rigveda, the oldest of the four Vedas, and the Upanishads, which contain secret philosophical teachings. The collection also features texts from other Eastern traditions, reflecting Müller's belief that understanding one religion requires knowledge of others. Müller's work was foundational in establishing the "science of religion" as a field of study.12

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James Darmesteter
Mills, appeared in Sacred Books of the East (vol. 4, 23, and 31, 1883–87), edited by the Anglo-German Orientalist and linguist Max Müller. Darmesteter’s French translation, Le Zend-Avesta, 3 vol. (1892–93), was accompanied by a historical commentary. He placed the earliest portion of the extant Avestan texts in…
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Mills, appeared in Sacred Books of the East (vol. 4, 23, and 31, 1883–87), edited by the Anglo-German Orientalist and linguist Max Müller. Darmesteter’s French translation, Le Zend-Avesta, 3 vol. (1892–93), was accompanied by a historical commentary. He placed the earliest portion of the extant Avestan texts in…
Read More

Max Müller
Life and chief works
…the 51-volume series of translations The Sacred Books of the East; and his initial editing of the series Sacred Books of the Buddhists. In addition, Müller was an important early proponent of a discipline that he called the “science of religion”; indeed, some credit him with founding that field. His…
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…the 51-volume series of translations The Sacred Books of the East; and his initial editing of the series Sacred Books of the Buddhists. In addition, Müller was an important early proponent of a discipline that he called the “science of religion”; indeed, some credit him with founding that field. His…
Read More