The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Life of Buddha (Paperback)

~ Victoria Urubshurow (Author) "What can you expect from a book on the life of Buddha?..." (more)
Key Phrases: maha sramana, sense desire realm, mendicant sangha, Eightfold Path, Middle Ganges Basin, King Bimbisara (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The spiritual master who awakened millions.

Siddhartha Gautama lived a life of ease until age 30, when he gave himself over to years of contemplation and self-denial, reaching a state of enlightenment while sitting under a tree. Known as Buddha, he became one of the most powerful spiritual teachers in history. In this fascinating guide, you will discover the story of Gautama’s incredible life—and how he became an important role model. This book also explores how he came upon the Four Noble Truths and began to prescribe the Eight-Fold Path.

About the Author

Victoria Urubshurow has been a practicing Buddhist for 30 years. She earned a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and has taught courses on Buddhism, world religions, mythology, and comparative spirituality. Urubshurow is a member of the Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center in Washington, New Jersey, and is currently writing an eBook on world religions and co-editing a volume on spiritual masters.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Alpha (November 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592575323
• ISBN-13: 978-1592575329
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,739,669 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Like of Buddha, July 11, 2009

By	Michael R. Young "Michael Young" (Livingston, NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have read several biographies of the Buddha. By far my favorite is Old Path White Clouds by Thich Nhat Hanh. The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Life of the Buddha by Vuctoria Urubshurow provides a thorough and very readable introduction to the life and teachings of the Buddha. It can effectively introduce the reader or serve as a review to Buddha's life and teachings. This I feel is significant because anyone interested in Buddhism should read multiple biographies of him because the biographies teach and reinforce our understanding of his timeless wisdom. In particular, I found that the author's explanation and diagram of the distiction between subtle and no form to be very helpful to my understandind. Anyone who seeks to increase or supplement their undertanding of the Buddha's Dharma would appreciate and enjoy reading this book.