The story of the founder of Buddhism is one of the world's great archetypal tales of spiritual awakening. He was born Siddhartha Gautama in the sixth century BCE, the son of a prince who ruled a small kingdom in what is now Nepal. Siddhartha led a sheltered existence until the age of twenty-nine, when he left his life of ease and set out to find a solution to the problem of suffering. For years he wandered as a homeless ascetic, practicing severe austerities that brought him to the brink of death but no nearer to his goal. He then abandoned asceticism for a "middle way." Sitting down under a tree, he vowed to remain there until he realized the truth. After a night of deep meditation, his Enlightenment came at dawn, and he was thereafter known as the Buddha, the "Awakened One."
A Life of the Buddha (Shambhala Classics)
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
What makes Buddhist teacher Kohn's book different from a work like E.J. Thomas's The Life of the Buddha (1969) is his lucid way of combining the various early sources he relies on here. The major events in the life of the Buddha from preexistence to his "utter extinction of final nirvana, parinirvana" provide a framework into which Kohn fits many of the Buddha's teachings, which he presents without analysis. A Mahayana view of the Buddha marks Kohn's work, as evidenced by a description of the Buddha's preexistence and his superhuman powers, such as the ability to make others invisible. Though an index would have made the book more useful, it is a splendid combination of biography and instruction. Highly recommended for any library that needs a concise yet thorough presentation of the Buddha's life and teachings.
- David Bourquin, California State Univ., San Bernardino
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
- David Bourquin, California State Univ., San Bernardino
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"Kohn's masterful blend of the life and teachings of the Buddha renders this book a valuable guide for those who would follow the path of the Awakened One."— Publishers Weekly
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A highly readable and inspiring historical account,
This review is from: The Awakened One (Shambhala Dragon Editions) (Paperback)
This is an excellent book. Much better for eg. than Paul Carus' Gospel of the Buddha, a perennial bestseller, though it hasn't sold much here. Don't be fooled by the low sales. Kohn manages to convey in extremely readable English, the poetry of the Buddha's life from what is evidently extensive research of the original sources. This is not a book about the Buddha's philosophy, though the when, how and what of his enlightenment is amply covered. It is primarily an account of his life, a biography, and in that, an excellent one. One gets a sense of his life, as also of the times in which he lived. The mythical contexts come alive in a way that one rarely sees, particularly the quaint world-space of the time. All the Buddha's major disciples and those with whom he had significant interactions are covered extensively. The most important thing about this book and what may be seen as it's only limitation is that it is not a scholarly work, but an introduction for the curious seeker.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not a history book......but then again, it doesn't try to be,
By nico_laos "nico" (Earth) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Awakened One (Shambhala Dragon Editions) (Paperback)
A wonderful account of The Buddha's earliest traditions that are deeply rooted in Hiduism. The book presents the story in a very straightforward path from prelife to death. Not an introduction to Buddhism itself but simply the stories surrounding the man who was its source. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the most ancient stories of The Buddha.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good scholarly work, easy to read and informative,
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This review is from: A Life of the Buddha (Shambhala Classics) (Paperback)
This is a short, well-written text that covers the major events of the Buddha's life. It's very informative and precise, but not pedantic.
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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sutra specialist, vinaya specialist, entered homelessness, final nirvana, alms round, great monk, complete ending, meditative absorption, alms food, supernormal powers Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Blessed One, King Bimbisara, Deer Park, King Shuddhodana, Gathering the Sangha, King Prasenajit, Turning the Wheel, Buddha Dharma, Vulture Peak Mountain, Four Noble Truths, Bodhi Tree, Nairanjana River, Nirgrantha Jnaniputra, Kutagara Hall, Compassion's Ripeness, Mount Pandava, Establishing the Uharma, Bearer of the White Banner, Noble Eightfold Path, Heaven of the Contented, Master Gautama, Kashyapa of Uruvilva, Buddha's Sangha, Queen Mahamaya, Triple Refuge Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
sutra specialist, vinaya specialist, entered homelessness, final nirvana, alms round, great monk, complete ending, meditative absorption, alms food, supernormal powers Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Blessed One, King Bimbisara, Deer Park, King Shuddhodana, Gathering the Sangha, King Prasenajit, Turning the Wheel, Buddha Dharma, Vulture Peak Mountain, Four Noble Truths, Bodhi Tree, Nairanjana River, Nirgrantha Jnaniputra, Kutagara Hall, Compassion's Ripeness, Mount Pandava, Establishing the Uharma, Bearer of the White Banner, Noble Eightfold Path, Heaven of the Contented, Master Gautama, Kashyapa of Uruvilva, Buddha's Sangha, Queen Mahamaya, Triple Refuge Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
28
books
cite this book:
See all 28 books citing this book
- The Eros Of Parenthood: Explorations In Light And Dark by Noelle Oxenhandler in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages: Stories of Enlightenment by Robert Ullman on page 3, and Back Matter
- The Buddha and His Teachings by Samuel Bercholz in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- The Only Way to Eternal Life by Chaikou Bah on page 56
- Rational Zen: The Mind of Dogen Zenji (Shambhala Dragon Editions) by Thomas Cleary in Back Matter
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