The Buddha: His Life Retold [Paperback]

Robert Allen Mitchell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Although few verifiable facts are known about the life of the Buddha, stories have grown up around him that can be taken as fact or as idealized legend, and on these stories can be built a biography. Mitchell relies on a variety of sources, such as the Jataka Tales, the Dhammopada, and the Tripitaka, taking both biographical events and teachings and melding them into a continuous narrative. In the harmonious whole that results, it is the teachings that stand out, leaving the reader to accept or decline the biography without loss. In fact, the author terms this a "version" of the life of the Buddha; but it is a version that does justice to the most important aspect of his life: his message.
- Donald J. Pearce, Univ. of Minnesota Lib., Duluth
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Paragon House (May 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557784426
• ISBN-13: 978-1557784421
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,049,760 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the Read for Buddhists and Non-Buddhists Alike April 19, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I highly recommend this book to anyone beginning to study the Buddha's life or to the merely curious. Mr. Mitchell's portrayl of the Buddha is one of the most vibrant and real I have ever encountered; and I have read many books on the subject. While not highly scholarly it brings this most compassionate of humanity's teachers to life right before your eyes. It has wide range in that it covers the scope of Siddharta Gautama's life. From the miraculous stories of his birth to his 45 year ministry. I highly recommend this book to Buddhists and Non-Buddhists alike.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Buddha retold well!! March 12, 2005

By D. Henson

Format:Paperback

Filled with the very compassion of The Buddha's teaching, this accessible book is not only a must for any student of Eastern thought, but for strangers to The Buddha. This is a great start! I recommend this book highly to all those who wish to explore for the first time, as students of religious studies, mythology,or those in need of a novel approach to how the Perfect One taught the Dharma. R.A.Mitchell's style is full of the liveliness and humor sometimes lacking in many modern versions.

5.0 out of 5 stars A modern script about Buddha's life May 21, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This is a history written with a great sensitivity, based on ancient texts, but told as a modern script (almost a hollywood script). I can't imagine a buddha nearer to us. Only a question: ¿When the movie? (Excuse my english)

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars ill never forget this book September 22, 2006

By abe

Format:Paperback

i was reading this book when i achieved enlightenment.the very line was something about hunger being the greatest evil.then it hit me like a ton of philisophical bricks.since everything wordly must be let go of,the one thing that would attatch you to this world would be the one thing you have to do to srat alive."bodies demand great evil .to know this truly is to nirvana.the highest happiness".that was the line.so im not guaranteeing enlightenment or anything but this is the book that did it for me after many many hours of searching for enlightenment,it all happened for me here.