The Soul of a People

<p>In most of the quotations from Burmese books containing the life of the Buddha I am indebted if not for the exact words yet for the sense to Bishop Bigandet's translation.</p><p> </p><p>I do not think I am indebted to anyone else.</p><p> </p><p>I have indeed purposely avoided quoting from any other book and using material collected by anyone else.</p><p> </p><p>The story of Ma Pa Da has appeared often before but my version is taken entirely from the Burmese song.</p><p> </p><p>It is as I have said known to nearly every Burman.</p><p> </p><p>I wanted to write only what the Burmese themselves thought; whether I have succeeded or not the reader can judge.</p>