's Best of 2001
Books on Buddhism may overflow the shelves, but the life story of the Buddha himself has remained obscure despite over 2,500 years of influence on millions of people around the world. In an attempt to rectify this, and to make the Buddha and Buddhism accessible to Westerners, the beloved scholar and author of such sweeping religious studies as A History of God has written a readable, sophisticated, and somewhat unconventional biography of one of the most influential people of all time. Buddha himself fought against the cult of personality, and the Buddhist scriptures were faithful, giving few details of his life and personality. Karen Armstrong mines these early scriptures, as well as later biographies, then fleshes the story out with an explanation of the cultural landscape of the 6th century B.C., creating a deft blend of biography, history, philosophy, and mythology.

At the age of 29, Siddhartha Gautama walked away from the insulated pleasure palace that had been his home and joined a growing force of wandering monks searching for spiritual enlightenment during an age of upheaval. Armstrong traces Gautama's journey through yoga and asceticism and grounds it in the varied religious teachings of the time. In many parts of the world during this so-called axial age, new religions were developing as a response to growing urbanization and market forces. Yet each shared a common impulse--they placed faith increasingly on the individual who was to seek inner depth rather than magical control. Taoism and Confucianism, Hinduism, monotheism in the Middle East and Iran, and Greek rationalism were all emerging as Gautama made his determined way towards enlightenment under the boddhi tree and during the next 45 years that he spent teaching along the banks of the Ganges. Armstrong, in her intelligent and clarifying style, is quick to point out the Buddha's relevance to our own time of transition, struggle, and spiritual void in both his approach--which was based on skepticism and empiricism--and his teachings.

Despite the lack of typical historical documentation, Armstrong has written a rich and revealing description of both a unique time in history and an unusual man. Buddha is a terrific primer for those interested in the origins and fundamentals of Buddhism. --Lesley Reed


From Publishers Weekly
Armstrong's esteemed works, including such standards as A History of God and The Battle for God, have primarily focused on the monotheism of the Middle East. Now she turns farther eastward to craft this short biography for the Penguin Lives series. Armstrong carefully ties the Buddha's time to our own and champions his spiritual discoveries with an understated dignity that even the Buddha might bless. While exercising a scholar's restraint, she reveals a detectable compassion for Sidhatta Gotama, the radical who walked away from a pleasure palace because he refused to "remain locked in an undeveloped version" [of himself]. Armstrong overcame peculiar challenges to write about this historical figure who became "a type rather than an individual," as his personality and life particulars evaporated into the power of his selflessness. She turned this lack of details for a conventional biography to our advantage, opting to enhance Gotama's story with the broad canvas of his time and culture, thus making him accessibly human. This handsome and solid portrait is sure to become a classic; it is a refined and readable biography of a pivotal character in human history. It is likely true that when the 80-year-old Buddha died he had, as the sutra says, "gone beyond the power of words," but in this thoughtful and revealing study, Armstrong has come near to proving the scriptures wrong. (Feb.) Forecast: Despite the plethora of Buddhist books on the market, few recent Buddha biographies have been written for a general audience. Armstrong's superb reputation should help sales, and Viking plans a six-city author tour and national publicity.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
This sterling work by Armstrong (religion, Leo Baeck Coll.; A History of God; The Battle for God) is anything but standard fare. Armstrong combines the abilities of storyteller, historian, and interpreter of Buddhist thought to create a work that is both fascinating and informative. What makes this such a strong and engaging work is that she uses her discriminating insight as a historian while recognizing that "the people of North India were not interested in history in our sense: they were more concerned about the meaning of historical events." This insight is applied effectively throughout, as Armstrong considers the Buddhist teaching encapsulated in the major events of the Buddha's life. Her explications have great clarity and power, making this work essential reading for those looking for a brief introduction to the Buddha's life and Buddhist thought.DDavid Bourquin, California State Univ., San Bernardino Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
This fascinating biography discusses the life of Buddha and his quest for Nirvana, truth, awareness of self, and inner peace. Most interesting is Armstrong's placement of Buddha within the historical, religious, and philosophical contexts of his time. The fifth century BCE was an era of great change, as illustrated in the lives and teachings of Socrates, Plato, Confucius, and Zoroaster. Armstrong uses these developments, along with those in India, to bring Buddha and his inner struggles to life. Kate Reading superbly moves along the text, keeping pace with Armstrong's ideas and hypotheses. Indian words are enunciated clearly with intonation that sounds authentic. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
Little is known about the man called Buddha, but religious historian Armstrong succeeds brilliantly in creating a compelling and illuminating portrait. She begins by vigorously describing the atmosphere of spiritual crisis and the confounding social change in India that induced so many individuals, including the Buddha, to leave their homes and "go forth" in pursuit of an inner-directed connection to the divine. Then Armstrong interprets the mythologized story of the Buddha's abandonment of his life of comfort and privilege; commitment to practicing advanced forms of yoga and a nearly fatal asceticism; enlightenment beneath a bodhi tree; and 45 years of wandering and teaching until his death in 483. And as she does so, she lucidly explains his revelations and influence. Characterizing Buddhism as an "essentially psychological religion," she marvels at its mindfulness, compassion, and continuing role in our attempt to understand what it means to be human. Electrifyingly passionate and knowledgeable, Armstrong conveys the mighty struggles and cosmic joy of the Buddha's life and articulates the union of mystery and sense that makes Buddhism so vital and germane. Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Los Angeles Times
[Armstrong] offers a frequently inspiring look at this exemplary life... Invaluable.


Christian Science Monitor
Destined to become the classic source for anyone delving... into the life and teachings of the religious icon.

FROM OUR EDITORS

"I never read reviews," Karen Armstrong insists, and one is inclined to accept the word of this ex-nun. Nevertheless, as enthusiastic readers, we can't resist wishing that she'd lapse just a bit, at least enough to savor critics' recent praise about her Buddha in Penguin Lives and Islam, A Short History. In the 30 years since she left the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, this resolute professor has moved theologically further and further afield. Once content to examine Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, Professor Armstrong here explores the life of the founder of Buddhism. "It's inevitable that people turn to more than one religious tradition for inspiration," she explains and then launches into a very Buddha-like aphorism: "Religion," she says, "is like a raft. Once you get across the river, moor the raft, and go on. Don't lug it with you if you don't need it anymore." Which, we suspect, is also a very good reason for not reading reviews.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

With such bestsellers as A History of God and Islam, Karen Armstrong hasconsistently delivered ￯﾿ﾽpenetrating, readable, and prescient￯﾿ﾽ (The New York Times) works that have lucidly engaged a wide range of religions and religious issues. In Buddha she turns to a figure whose thought is still reverberating throughout the world 2,500 years after his death.

Many know the Buddha only from seeing countless serene, iconic images. But what of the man himself and the world he lived in? What did he actually do in his roughly eighty years on earth that spawned one of the greatest religions in world history? Armstrong tackles these questions and more by examining the life and times of the Buddha in this engrossing philosophical biography. Against the tumultuous cultural background of his world, she blends history, philosophy, mythology, and biography to create a compelling and illuminating portrait of a man whose awakening continues to inspire millions. Invaluable. (Los Angeles Times) life and teachings of the religious icon. (Christian Science Monitor)

Author Biography: Karen Armstrong is a bestselling author and one of the foremost commentators on religious affairs in both Britain and the United States. She spent seven years as a Catholic nun then went on to take a degree at Oxford University. She currently teaches at Leo Baeck College of Judaism and has received the Muslim Public Affairs Council Media Award.

SYNOPSIS

A world-renowned religious thinker contemplates one of the world's most sacred figures.

Karen Armstrong has been acclaimed for her scholarship and vision, in works The New York Times Book Review calls "penetrating, readable and prescient." Her rich, timely, highly original portrait of the Buddha explores both the archetypal religious icon and Buddha the man. Armstrong follows the Buddha-born Siddhama Gotama-as he leaves his wife, his young child, and his prominent caste position for a life of spiritual enlightenment.

Following his quest from renunciation to revelation to a wellspring of wisdom, Buddha expands the focus to meditate on its place in the spiritual history of humanity and its special relevance to our own society, as we again face a crisis of faith. It is a profound blend of biography, religion, history, and philosophy that will engage an audience that continues to be fascinated by Buddhism.

FROM THE CRITICS

Boston Globe

...[a] brief and historically informed account of Buddha and Buddhism...

Philadelphia Inquirer

...a deft study...

Baton Rouge Advocate

Everywhere, [Armstrong] emphasizes Buddhism's pragmatism, while acknowledging historic divisions that have occurred in the religion.

Book Magazine

In this biography of Buddha, Armstrong, a former Roman Catholic nun and noted author of writings on monotheistic religions, incorporates a subtle blend of Judeo-Christian beliefs and other Axial Age theologies to highlight and, in essence, westernize Buddhist teachings. Not unlike Jesus Christ, Sidhatta Gotama, the man who became Buddha, did not consider himself an object of devotion and worship. In the book's introduction, the author admits to having limited (if not unreliable) information on Gotama's early life and even his birth date. The biography—a nontraditional blend of history and philosophy—begins with Gotama's renunciation of his prior life, leaving his wife and child behind and opting for an unburdened existence. The pursuit of enlightenment meant a release of egotism; family bonds prevented a seeker from entering a higher plane. Using the terminology of the Pali Canon, believed to be the language of Gotama himself, Armstrong focuses on the development of the Buddha's teachings. This is an excellent primer for students of religion or others interested in spiritual growth. Written in clear and accessible language, this is a short yet comprehensive text. —Scott Markwell

Publishers Weekly