The Living Buddha An Interpretive Biography

by Ikeda, Daisaku; Watson, Burton

• ISBN13: 9780977924523
• ISBN10: 0977924521
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-10-01
• Publisher: Middleway Press

Summary

The Living Buddha is a biography with a double focus. It is a vivid historical narrative based on what is known or can resonably be surmised concerning the Buddha's life and times. It is also an inspiring account of a heroic life dedicated to helping all people free themselves from suffering and futility and attain true peace of mind.

Author Biography

Daisaku Ikeda is the author and coauthor of more than 60 books on Buddhism and the founding president and leader of the Soka Gakkai International, one of the largest lay Buddhist organizations in the world. He is the recipient of the United Nations Peace Award, the Rosa Parks Humanitarian Award, and the International Tolerance Award of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Burton Watson is a translator of Chinese and Japanese literature. His translations include Chuang Tzu, The Lotus Sutra, Ryokan, Saigyo, and The Vimalakirti Sutra. He received the PEN Translation Prize in 1981.

Table of Contents

Preface to the English edition	p. ix
Translator's Note	p. xiii
The Young Shakyamuni	p. 1
Shakyamuni	p. 1
Shakyamuni's Names	p. 4
The Shakya Tribe	p. 5
The Historical Setting	p. 7
Shakyamuni's Family	p. 9
Shakyamuni's Early Years	p. 11
The Great Departure	p. 15
The Ascetic and Indian Society	p. 20
The Departure and Wanderings	p. 23
The Rise of a New Culture	p. 28
The Six Non-Buddhist Teachers	p. 31
The Years of Austrerity	p. 37
The Encounter with King Bimbisara	p. 37
The Two Brahman Hermits	p. 40
The Practice of Austerities	p. 45
The Rejection of Austerities	p. 49
The Enlightenment	p. 53
Buddhagaya	p. 53
The Temptation of Mara	p. 55
What Is Englishtenment?	p. 58
The Content of Shakyamuni's Englightenment	p. 61
The Law of Causation	p. 65
Shakyamuni the Teacher	p. 69
The Decision To Propagate the Law	p. 69
Turning the Wheel of the Law	p. 71
Shakyamuni's Disciples	p. 76
Preaching at Uruvilva	p. 81
The Company of Disciples	p. 87
Shariputra and Maudgalyayana	p. 87
Mahakashyapa	p. 93
Sudatta	p. 96
Shakyamuni's Visit to Kapilavastu	p. 98
Ananda	p. 101
Upali and Aniruddha	p. 103
The Growth of the Order	p. 105
The Other Major Disciples	p. 105
The City of Shravasti	p. 108
Management of the Order	p. 115
Devadatta's Revolt	p. 119
The Entry into Nirvana	p. 125
The Sad Events of Shakyamuni's Closing Years	p. 125
The Last Journey	p. 129
Chunda the Blacksmith	p. 133
Parinirvana	p. 134
Glossary	p. 137
Index	p. 147
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