Book Description
The thrilling story of a prince who renounced worldly luxury to find the way to self-perfection and became the Buddha.
More than 2,500 years ago, an Indian prince, Siddhartha, achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha, "the Awakened One." However extraordinary he was, he was no divinity but a self-perfected human being who brought a radical message to mankind.
Walter Henry Nelson, a renowned scholar and author, offers readers perhaps the most uniquely accessible and authoritative life of Buddha and his teachings. In an essential, gripping, and inspiring introduction, Buddha explores the ancient legends surrounding Buddha. It looks at how the simple story and profound struggle of Prince Siddhartha, who died 500 years before the birth of Christ, was transformed into one of the world's great religions. From tales of incredible feats of Gautama's strength to the intervention of gods in his journey, Nelson takes the reader through the life and principles that are the foundation of a religion and philosophy of vital importance to all those searching beyond materialism for the true aim of life.
Today, with life's modern contradictions and paradoxes, one can find order and wisdom in Buddhism's teachings. Indeed, in the pages of Buddha, the radiance of the enlightened Buddha shines as brightly as ever.
Illustrated with black-and-white photographs Glossary Bibliography Index Endnotes
More than 2,500 years ago, an Indian prince, Siddhartha, achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha, "the Awakened One." However extraordinary he was, he was no divinity but a self-perfected human being who brought a radical message to mankind.
Walter Henry Nelson, a renowned scholar and author, offers readers perhaps the most uniquely accessible and authoritative life of Buddha and his teachings. In an essential, gripping, and inspiring introduction, Buddha explores the ancient legends surrounding Buddha. It looks at how the simple story and profound struggle of Prince Siddhartha, who died 500 years before the birth of Christ, was transformed into one of the world's great religions. From tales of incredible feats of Gautama's strength to the intervention of gods in his journey, Nelson takes the reader through the life and principles that are the foundation of a religion and philosophy of vital importance to all those searching beyond materialism for the true aim of life.
Today, with life's modern contradictions and paradoxes, one can find order and wisdom in Buddhism's teachings. Indeed, in the pages of Buddha, the radiance of the enlightened Buddha shines as brightly as ever.
Illustrated with black-and-white photographs Glossary Bibliography Index Endnotes
About the author
Walter Henry Nelson has studied traditional world religions for more than forty years and is the author of numerous histories and biographies. He lives in London.
