The Buddha: The Story of an Awakened Life

A simple, uplifting telling of the life of Buddha by an award-winning, best-selling author. This is the first account of the Buddha story that does not separate, but blends the elements of history, apochrypha, and the Buddhist tenets into a compelling, page-turning narrative: it establishes Buddha as an exceptional mortal who embodies the search for immortality and the end of suffering. Not for Buddhist insiders, but for all readers, this tale reaches across time to those with similar yearnings and needs, because all humans wish to elude death.

Reviews and Endorsements

“Kherdian pens a simple, lyrical biography of Buddha suited for all ages. The Buddha’s life is the stuff of legends, and this telling is mythopoetic rather than dully historical or biographical. If the goal is to humanize an eminent spiritual leader from another time and place, the book succeeds, it is an accessible introduction to the life of the Buddha for general readers wanting a taste of a legendary life story.” – Publishers Weekly

“Kherdian, who has written for both children and adults, pens a simple, lyrical biography of Buddha suited for all ages. Episodes from the life of the Indian prince born around the fifth century B.C.E. are narrated in chronological order to present an unfolding life history that engages and also teaches some central Buddhist tenets. The Buddha’s life is the stuff of legends, and this telling is mythopoeic rather than dully historical or biographical. In a narrative with a well-marked beginning, middle and end, the Buddha finds the middle way at mid-life after pursuing youthful extremes of sensual indulgence and mortifying asceticism. Post-Enlightenment stories then show how the Buddha’s spiritual authority and community grew over the course of 40 years of teaching, and the Buddha’s resonant and honored final words (“Work out your salvation with diligence”) close the narrative. Some well-known Buddhist parables, such as the story of the mustard seed, are included. If the goal is to humanize an eminent spiritual leader from another time and place, the book succeeds. Buddha has a mother and dad, an envious cousin, quarrelsome followers and a son who challenges him. Buddhist students may not want something quite this elementary, but it is an accessible introduction to the life of the Buddha for general readers wanting a taste of a legendary life story.” – Reed Business Information