Buddha (Lives) ebook

by Karen Armstrong

Certainly not complete in itself (as if any one book could be!), but it was not meant to be that kind of dharma book.

Karen Armstrong's book admits that the records about Buddha are not really historical, but rather illustrative and instructional. Then she goes ahead and tries to write a more typical biography, tracing the outlines of his life chronologically. We never feel like we know the Buddha, understand him, his motives, time or place. Part of this is understandable-the whole point of Maybe it is not possible to write a good biography of a religious leader from the mists of history.

It was not his life and personality but his teaching that was important. It seems that the process of preserving the traditions about the Buddha’s life and teaching began shortly after his death in 483 (according to the traditional Western dating). He believed that he had woken up to a truth that was inscribed in the deepest structure of existence. Buddhist monks at this time led itinerant lives; they wandered around the cities and towns of the Ganges plain and taught the people their message of enlightenment and freedom from suffering.

Karen Armstrong distils from these the key events of Buddha's life: his birth as Siddhartha Gotama in the fifth century BC and his abandonment of his wife and son; his attainment of enlightenment under the Banyan tree (the moment he became a buddha, or enlightened one; his political influence; the divisions among his followers; and his serene death.

Karen Armstrong Buddha. the Buddha’s life; and the Jataka, stories about the former lives of the Buddha and his companions, to illustrate how a person’s kamma ( actions ) have repercussions in their future existences.

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Karen Armstrong, bestselling author of A History of God, skillfully narrates this history of the Crusades with a view toward their profound and continuing influence. In 1095 Pope Urban II summoned Christian warriors to take up the cross and reconquer the. The Great Transformation: The Beginning of Our Religious Traditions. Living Buddha Living Buddh.

buddhist art usually depicts the Buddha sitting alone, lost in solitary . The Buddha lived in towns and cities, not in remote forest hermitages. The Gospels tell us next to nothing about Jesus’s early life and only seriously begin their story when he starts his preaching mission.

When he traveled, he was usually accompanied by hundreds of bhikkhus, who tended to chatter so loudly that occasionally the Buddha had to plead for a little quiet.

Buddhism is a faith that commands over 100 million followers throughout the world. Buddha revolutionized the religious ideas of his time to advocate a new way of living. All that is known about him comes from a collection of ancient writings that fuse history, biography and myth. Karen Armstrong distils from these the key events of Buddha's life: his birth as Siddhatta Gotama in the fifth century BC and his abandonment of his wife and son; his attainment of enlightenment under the Banyan tree; his political influence; the divisions among his followers; and his serene death. Armstrong also introduces the key tenets of Buddhism. In our own age of secular anxiety, she shows that it has profound lessons to teach about selflessness and the simple life.

Shadowredeemer

Of all the books I have read on Buddha this short little book does the best job of putting the dharma into focus, clarifies the many aspects of its origin and the various facets of the meditative practices and teachings from the earlier practices learned by Gotama to his complete understanding of enlightenment and how he taught it. It really gives meaning to many things from Goenka who often refers accurately to the early Pali texts. The history and the story are full of interesting passages taken from the earliest writings. In the end though the book is finished, just like the Buddha and everyone else leaving his karma and his work behind. I bought a hard copy for my library. Interesting that an ex Catholic nun did such a great job writing this book. Funny thing is that Gotama originally refused to let women in to the sangha probably due to the complications possible from sexual desire and even refused his step-mother who raised him. But he thought better of it fortunately. It is also interesting to muse that Chairman Mao, whose mother was a devout Buddhist, elevated all women to full social status during the revolution. Was this partly because of Buddha's teaching and things he learned from his mother? Is the successful communal nature of the Buddhist sangha over thousands of years a model for socialist societies? Could be. Everything is connected.

So long, Buddha. Good bye, Buddha. (Haha there was even a Judas in the story.)

Black_Hawk_Down.

I found this a very interesting and helpful account of the life of the Buddha. It placed him in a historical context, which many other books do not. It was also mercifully free of enigmatic sayings which can only be comprehended after long meditation, and of long lists of precepts and practices, which may be essential in growing into the religion but which seem to me too complicated to belong in a biography such as this. I have given the book four stars instead of five because I respect the critical reviews of people with much greater knowledge than I, who cast doubt on Armstrong's historical reconstruction or on the accuracy of her portrayal of the Buddha's beliefs and teachings. But even if their criticisms are justified to some extent (and I haven't heard similar comments from my Buddhist friends), it seems to me that this book is a very readable point of departure which will encourage further reading and soul-searching, And that surely is the point?

Hunaya

This was the first book I ever read about Buddha. It was very highly recommended by a credible source, so I got it. What a beautifully written, accessible and compelling biography. I can't imagine that there is a better, more enjoyable Buddha biography for the Western lay audience. If you want to know where to start, start here.

Winn

This was simply beyond my expectations. Karen Armstrong has brought her perspective to the meaning and experience of Buddhist Awakening. I have read other's work and meditated for +7 years, so I have some limited comprehension of the relationship between the experience of the Path and the metaphors used to describe the experience in its many dimensions. Armstrong has dramatically expanded my understanding given her mastery for describing the different Perennial Philosophies. She has rendered a good picture of what might have been Siddhartha's story on his path to his own enlightenment. I wholeheartedly suggest this book for how it likely will expand your own understanding of the Buddhist Path.

Vutaur

Karen Armstrong's scholarly diligence, objectivity, and wonderful writing style again shine in this fascinating and informative book. There are so many stories, interpretations, and speculations about the great Siddhatta Gotama Buddha's life and teachings. Armstrong's account distinguishes itself by conveying remarkable realism and credibility about this enormously wise and compassionate man, who was so far ahead of his time of 2-1/2 millennia ago.

Yozshugore

Excellent book. I loved it. Far from a "dry" biography. It can be read not only as a bio, but as a dharma book.

I am perplexed at some of the negative review and comments here. I guess it boils down to what touches a particular person or not, or what a person is ripe to hear or not. To me this is a great book. I rarely give 5 stars.
The review entitled "not a book for Buddhists" is simply not true at all. It not only gives you some glimpse into the Buddha's life (albeit limited due to the lack of material), it also gives you a clear picture of portions of the practice, and there are numerous nuggets of wisdom that clarified for me some of the dharma. Certainly not complete in itself (as if any one book could be!), but it was not meant to be that kind of dharma book.

One reviewer complained in angry tones that Armstrong just wanted to go on a diatribe against Christianity as a former nun, and used this platform to do so. This reviewer must either be mad (and I don't mean "angry") or is just a closed minded Christian who has the deluded belief that Christianity is the only relevant religion worth writing about and thus was angry she would do so. There was not one negative thing in this book about Christianity! Maybe they read another book altogether?

All in all, I think Karen Armstrong understands the dharma and did a wonderful job in the creation of this excellent work. I highly recommend it.

Nuliax

The Buddha. Much has been written about this man and his teachings, but this is the first book I have read that feels stripped to the bone. The Introduction is worth reading on its own, an honest, scholarly, straightforward explanation of the history of the teachings and person of The Buddha. Armstrong gently and deftly clarifies the basis for following the teachings and seeking Refuge in the Buddha, covers the basic history of Buddhism, explains the background of the Buddha - as much as could be said to be fact. She puts things into perspective - what was going on in the world surrounding the founding of this belief system, this philosophy. For the first time, I feel that I am reading with a more profound understanding of this life altering person.