Biography of the Buddha
Biography of the Buddha
I have a friend who would like to know more about Buddha's life. She is looking for something fairly accurate, but a good read. It has been so long since i have read any that i don't know which one would be a good recommendation. Any suggestions?
http://www.chatzy.com/25904628501622
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Re: Biography of the Buddha
Here is an e-book: http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/lifebuddha.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Sketch" of the Buddha's Life: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/buddha.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Video:
part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZQ9OZ_JACA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxOHFj7cueg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcD9O_E-xec" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xuE53jhlXk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ypFmNfPLng" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Sketch" of the Buddha's Life: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/buddha.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Video:
part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZQ9OZ_JACA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxOHFj7cueg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcD9O_E-xec" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xuE53jhlXk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ypFmNfPLng" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Biography of the Buddha
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
Re: Biography of the Buddha
Karen Armstrong has an Ok attempt; concise and short, informative. But she has her own theories of history. TNH was at his poetic best in "Old path white clouds", but he has a viewpoint to sell.
I'd say a fair-minded person who reads both these books would have a good idea of whether or not to continue exploring. Whatever you do, avoid that awful BBC documentary!
I'd say a fair-minded person who reads both these books would have a good idea of whether or not to continue exploring. Whatever you do, avoid that awful BBC documentary!
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Re: Biography of the Buddha
Greetings,
Without a second's hesitation, I recommend...
The Life Of The Buddha According To The Pali Canon by Bhikkhu Nanamoli
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Buddha-Accor ... 1928706126" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
... possibly cheaper direct from the publisher BPS.
Metta,
Retro.
Without a second's hesitation, I recommend...
The Life Of The Buddha According To The Pali Canon by Bhikkhu Nanamoli
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Buddha-Accor ... 1928706126" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
... possibly cheaper direct from the publisher BPS.
Metta,
Retro.
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Re: Biography of the Buddha
I've been thinking about reading that one, but thought Is it just a recitation of the suttas that talk about his life. Is there more information?
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Re: Biography of the Buddha
Greetings Alan,
It's modelled around the suttas, but as best as is possible, they're sequential in the story they tell, and where relevant they are supported by commentary (but the commentarial additions are clearly designated as such). Its strength lies of in the use of multiple "narrator" modes... from memory, one suttanta, one Mahavihara, one something else (possibly non-sectarian historian?).
Sorry if I'm a bit sketchy, it's been a while, but to put it in context, I read this after reading the Majjhima and Samyutta Nikayas and still found much benefit from it and it would be my first port of call if there was some aspect of the Buddha's life I wanted to revisit.
The Amazon customer comments as linked to above are bound to contain additional information.
Metta,
Retro.
It's modelled around the suttas, but as best as is possible, they're sequential in the story they tell, and where relevant they are supported by commentary (but the commentarial additions are clearly designated as such). Its strength lies of in the use of multiple "narrator" modes... from memory, one suttanta, one Mahavihara, one something else (possibly non-sectarian historian?).
Sorry if I'm a bit sketchy, it's been a while, but to put it in context, I read this after reading the Majjhima and Samyutta Nikayas and still found much benefit from it and it would be my first port of call if there was some aspect of the Buddha's life I wanted to revisit.
The Amazon customer comments as linked to above are bound to contain additional information.
Metta,
Retro.
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Re: Biography of the Buddha
Thanks Retro! Your recommendation sells it for me.
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Re: Biography of the Buddha
This is chaper 12 of Ven Nanamoli's book: http://www.buddhanet.net/cmdsg/bt-1.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
Re: Biography of the Buddha
Thanks all for the links and the suggestions!
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Re: Biography of the Buddha
While I have a copy of The Life Of The Buddha According To The Pali Canon by Bhikkhu Nanamoli, and it's very good, for people not used to reading large extracts from the suttas, it may be a bit dry (although I personally didn't find it so).
As far as good biographical tomes go, one which might be a bit more entertaining to read in addition to insightful in its presentation, there is Hans W. Schumann's treatment published in 1982 and translated from German in 1989 titled The Historical Buddha, The Times, Life and Teachings of the Founder of Buddhism.
A more recent treatment that is surprisingly well written and thought out as well as entertaining and insightful in that it is taken from the same source material (the Pali discourses) as the first book mentioned above is Vishvapani Blomfield's Gautama Buddha: The Life and Teachings of the Awakened One. Although the author uses Sanskrit spellings, his source material was from the Pali scriptures, which he stuck to assiduously as his reliance for authority.
As far as good biographical tomes go, one which might be a bit more entertaining to read in addition to insightful in its presentation, there is Hans W. Schumann's treatment published in 1982 and translated from German in 1989 titled The Historical Buddha, The Times, Life and Teachings of the Founder of Buddhism.
A more recent treatment that is surprisingly well written and thought out as well as entertaining and insightful in that it is taken from the same source material (the Pali discourses) as the first book mentioned above is Vishvapani Blomfield's Gautama Buddha: The Life and Teachings of the Awakened One. Although the author uses Sanskrit spellings, his source material was from the Pali scriptures, which he stuck to assiduously as his reliance for authority.
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Re: Biography of the Buddha
Peace
I have been listening to Ajahn Achalo's talks from a pilgrimage he led following the Buddha's life path in India and it has made me aware of the need for some historical context: Just for one example, I had read the Burning sermon recently and while some lightbulbs clicked on for me I had not been aware of the context of the thing and hearing the whole story was eye-opening. So I did a search on biographies and found this thread. I have located copies of the two texts recommended here but wondered: Is this still everybody's recommendations, 7 years later?
TIA!
I have been listening to Ajahn Achalo's talks from a pilgrimage he led following the Buddha's life path in India and it has made me aware of the need for some historical context: Just for one example, I had read the Burning sermon recently and while some lightbulbs clicked on for me I had not been aware of the context of the thing and hearing the whole story was eye-opening. So I did a search on biographies and found this thread. I have located copies of the two texts recommended here but wondered: Is this still everybody's recommendations, 7 years later?
TIA!
Re: Biography of the Buddha
For those who simply want to 'test-read' first before buying (or donating the money), a complete .pdf of Life Of The Buddha According To The Pali Canon by Bhikkhu Nanamoli can be found here:
http://www.khamkoo.com/uploads/9/0/0/4/ ... buddha.pdf
Of course it quotes from the Suttas, it is not adapted for mainstream novel readers. For those, the book of Karen Armstrong would maybe be better suited, but modern adaptations are liable to loose a lot of the finer detail that only reading -- and thinking about -- the word directly from the horse's mouth can bring.
http://www.khamkoo.com/uploads/9/0/0/4/ ... buddha.pdf
Of course it quotes from the Suttas, it is not adapted for mainstream novel readers. For those, the book of Karen Armstrong would maybe be better suited, but modern adaptations are liable to loose a lot of the finer detail that only reading -- and thinking about -- the word directly from the horse's mouth can bring.
The teaching is a lake with shores of ethics, unclouded, praised by the fine to the good.
There the knowledgeable go to bathe, and cross to the far shore without getting wet.
[SN 7.21]
There the knowledgeable go to bathe, and cross to the far shore without getting wet.
[SN 7.21]