ABSTRACT
The concept "Asia" is a figment of the Western mind, which has little connection with reality even when used by Asian statesmen. This statement may perhaps be challenged on the ground that "Europe" is also no more than a geographical concept. In contrast, it can fairly be said that not one of the leading personalities of the Asian world can claim to embrace all Asian civilizations. In Siam and Burma there is even clearer evidence of these two parallel tendencies in the outlook of educated Asians; on the one hand, the return to the narrow if deep cultural traditions of their own community, and on the other, the urge towards the acceptance of Western literature. It is possible that devotion to Buddhism may succeed in limiting nationalist passions more effectively than did Christianity in Europe. The breakup of the British Empire has about the same significance for contemporary Asia as did the break up of the Hapsburg Monarchy for Europe.
