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The Buddha: A Very Short Introduction: 41 Paperback – 1 May 2001
by Carrithers (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 39 ratings
Michael Carrithers guides us through the complex and sometimes conflicting information that Buddhist texts give about the life and teaching of the Buddha. He discusses the social and political background of India in the Buddha's time, and traces the development of his thought. He also assesses the rapid and widespread assimilation of Buddhism and its contemporary relevance. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
1 May 2001
Product description
Review
`admirably well-paced and informative.' Galen Strawson, Sunday Times --n/a
Review
This valuable introduction offers an illuminating brief portrait of the life and teaching of the Buddha
From the Publisher
Michael Carrithers is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Durham and author of The Forest Monks of Sri Lanka and Why Humans Have Cultures: Explaining Anthropology and Social Diversity (both published by OUP).
About the Author
Publisher : Oxford University Press UK (1 May 2001)
Language : English
Paperback : 120 pages
Reviews:
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 39 ratings
Top reviews from other countries
J. Kor
5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative!Reviewed in the United States on 31 August 2023
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Glad I bought it.
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David Harry White
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 February 2016
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Excellent
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Joseph J. Truncale
4.0 out of 5 stars A good basic book on the life and philosophical development of the Buddha.Reviewed in the United States on 29 May 2016
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There is a whole series of the Past Masters books but this is the first one I have read (The Buddha: Past Masters by Michael Carrithers) in this series. I have been interested in the many Asian philosophies for most of my life and I have read numerous books on the topic over the years.
This 102 page hardcover volume focuses on the life and intellectual development of the Buddha. It explains the differences and similarities of various competing philosophies being promoted at the time. This book is organized into five sections. The introduction provides insight into some of the myths surrounding this historical figure. The second section covers in detail the early life and renunciation. The third and fourth section deals with the awakening. The final chapter explains the mission and the death of Buddha. There is also a section on further readings about the Buddha.
Though this book did a great job of explaining the thought process and life of this great philosopher I was a little disappointed that there were so few quotes from the Buddha in this volume. Nevertheless, I think anyone interested in the life of the Buddha will find this a good introduction to the topic.
Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Zen Poetry Moments: Haiku and Senryu for special occasions).
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A. GOLDBERG
3.0 out of 5 stars I don't understand Buddha or buddhism any better than before.Reviewed in the United States on 1 December 2014
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I expected to get a biography with references to archeological digs and links to the religion itself. I didn't. This book helps one understand historical conditions of Buddha's time. It explains some of the religion's statements and articles of faith. But did I get a consistent picture on either Buddha's life and what's known/extrapolated of it or the religion itself: no. This isn't a bad book, but to me it doesn't read like a standalone explanation. It feels like I am reading selected parts of a much bigger book with most of the material cut out. I'll probably read more on the Buddhism and Buddha himself because this book is too short and not too clear.
One person found this helpfulReport
Stevenji
5.0 out of 5 stars A jewelReviewed in the United States on 27 February 2013
Verified Purchase
Among the volumes of English commentaries on Buddhism, this book is unique and worth the indulgence of seasoned practitioners as well as the merely curious. It is unique because the author brings to his subject the very best scholarly insight seasoned by genuine experience - but unlike others who may have these virtues, he writes with simplicity and clarity and an occasionally delightful touch of whimsy or humor. This book is a jewel -- it should certainly be required reading for anyone interested in the subject.
Report
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 39 ratings
Top reviews from other countries
J. Kor
5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative!Reviewed in the United States on 31 August 2023
Verified Purchase
Glad I bought it.
Report
David Harry White
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 February 2016
Verified Purchase
Excellent
Report
Joseph J. Truncale
4.0 out of 5 stars A good basic book on the life and philosophical development of the Buddha.Reviewed in the United States on 29 May 2016
Verified Purchase
There is a whole series of the Past Masters books but this is the first one I have read (The Buddha: Past Masters by Michael Carrithers) in this series. I have been interested in the many Asian philosophies for most of my life and I have read numerous books on the topic over the years.
This 102 page hardcover volume focuses on the life and intellectual development of the Buddha. It explains the differences and similarities of various competing philosophies being promoted at the time. This book is organized into five sections. The introduction provides insight into some of the myths surrounding this historical figure. The second section covers in detail the early life and renunciation. The third and fourth section deals with the awakening. The final chapter explains the mission and the death of Buddha. There is also a section on further readings about the Buddha.
Though this book did a great job of explaining the thought process and life of this great philosopher I was a little disappointed that there were so few quotes from the Buddha in this volume. Nevertheless, I think anyone interested in the life of the Buddha will find this a good introduction to the topic.
Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Zen Poetry Moments: Haiku and Senryu for special occasions).
Read less
Report
A. GOLDBERG
3.0 out of 5 stars I don't understand Buddha or buddhism any better than before.Reviewed in the United States on 1 December 2014
Verified Purchase
I expected to get a biography with references to archeological digs and links to the religion itself. I didn't. This book helps one understand historical conditions of Buddha's time. It explains some of the religion's statements and articles of faith. But did I get a consistent picture on either Buddha's life and what's known/extrapolated of it or the religion itself: no. This isn't a bad book, but to me it doesn't read like a standalone explanation. It feels like I am reading selected parts of a much bigger book with most of the material cut out. I'll probably read more on the Buddhism and Buddha himself because this book is too short and not too clear.
One person found this helpfulReport
Stevenji
5.0 out of 5 stars A jewelReviewed in the United States on 27 February 2013
Verified Purchase
Among the volumes of English commentaries on Buddhism, this book is unique and worth the indulgence of seasoned practitioners as well as the merely curious. It is unique because the author brings to his subject the very best scholarly insight seasoned by genuine experience - but unlike others who may have these virtues, he writes with simplicity and clarity and an occasionally delightful touch of whimsy or humor. This book is a jewel -- it should certainly be required reading for anyone interested in the subject.
Report
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Fouad
1,076 reviews1,875 followers
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June 10, 2017
Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama, a prince who was fed up with his suffering and humanity, ran away from his royal life and joined the recluses of the world, but after following the two paths of meditation and discipline, he came to the conclusion that neither of these paths lead There is no salvation from suffering. So, regardless of these pursuits, he sat under a bodhi tree (sacred fig) and meditated, and suddenly he reached enlightenment and found the way to escape from the eternal cycle of suffering, and from then on he was called Buddha: the one who has attained enlightenment. Is.
Buddha later explained what he had achieved under the tree in four noble truths:
1. Existence is suffering.
Great sorrows, such as the death of children or mothers, wars and great calamities,
or small sorrows, such as losing a deal or marital discord, or boredom with everyday life,
or abstract sufferings, such as the knowledge that all happiness is impermanent. And it will not remain, it is the suffering that surrounds a person even in the moment of happiness, even if the person is unaware.
2. The cause of suffering is desire.
Not man, but every inhabitant constantly wants to get out of the state he is in and go to a state that is more pleasant in his opinion, although after reaching that state, he does not ask to change it again.
Desire, like an unknown God, rules over all the phenomena of this world and causes them to have an insatiable thirst and non-stop movement and as a result, constant suffering.
And the request to go from one body to another in the cycle of reincarnation is not beyond the control of this unknown God.
This request has both a personal and philosophical aspect as well as a social and moral aspect, and the request in the social arena causes quarrels, conflicts and wars.
3. The cure for suffering is in not asking.
4. It is obtained without asking with Hashtkhwan Sharif.
They have classified this Hashtkhan into three more general headings:
1. Meditation, to treat personal desire.
2. Morality, for the treatment of social desire.
3. Wisdom, which is the result of the previous two chapters.
The
book is a bit more complicated than the one that would be a suitable choice for the beginning of reading. Especially, a large part compares the teachings of the Buddha with the teachings of the ascetics and the ascetics (who were the birthplace of the Buddha), which are not necessary while being useful and interesting.
I haven't read that much about Buddha yet (and I plan to read), but I think the Buddha chapter of "Comprehensive History of Religions" by John Bayer Nas is the best option for now.
a-very-short-introductions Eastern religions Mythology-Religions
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Ahmad Sharabiani
9,564 reviews7,500 followers
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December 2, 2017
Buddha: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions #41), Michael Carrithers
Date of First Reading: 1994
Title: Buddha; Author: Michael Kreiders; Translator: Alamhammad Haqshanas; Tehran, New Design, 1372; on 187 p.; second edition 1373; Third edition 1375; has a glossary; 4th edition 2012; on 168 pages; ISBN: 9644890043; Topic: Biography of the Buddha - 6th century BC
More than 2,500 years ago, the Buddha attained enlightenment while sitting under a tree. It led to a knowledge about the destiny of a person. With unquestionable certainty, he realized that he was freed from the suffering of fate. Apparently, an old socialist from England, in front of the huge Buddha statue in the ruins of Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, told the author of the book: In the whole gandab of human history, at least this is what the Buddha embodies, that a person can be proud of. . A selection from the text of
the list book: Income, the beginnings of life and leaving the soul, towards awakening, awakening, mission and death
. Sherbiani
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Riku Sayuj
658 reviews7,239 followers
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February 28, 2015
Doesn’t really go into the buddhist philosophy at all. More of a biographical and historical overview and a casual investigation of what might have prompted Buddha’s trajectory of thoughts/teachings. And since most of that hagiography is common knowledge, even for a western reader, this was not very useful. Could have been a slightly deeper introduction. This one was way too shallow, most VSIs I have read till now cover much more ground.
buddhism guides history
...more
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Stefun
28 reviews12 followers
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February 3, 2017
"Only by completely abandoning the world, only by renouncing every harmful deed, can you escape this terrible mechanism and reach "that which is not born, does not grow old, is not subject to disease or death".
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The body
7 reviews
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March 7, 2023
I basically knew everything i wanted to know from this book in the first half and the other half was in my opinion same thing over and over again about his ways of teaching. I can't say im disappointed by this book because I already had small expectations but overall it's a good introduction to Buddhism.
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Mckinley
9,740 reviews85 followers
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October 16, 2014
Short but packed full. In describing the life, he explains the teachings. Short, concise description of the life of Siddhartha Gautama and the teachings of the Buddha.
One of my top 10 Buddhist books.
buddhism favorite non-fiction
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Ahmed Faig
335 reviews96 followers
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October 27, 2019
A good book to choose as an introduction, for a big and important topic like the Buddha and Buddhism, although small but still compact and deep. It covers most of the life of the Buddha and a lot about his philosophy from a neutral and contemporary point of view.
buddhism history in-english
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Shane Kramer
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October 30, 2011
This is a really good one to start with for those interested in Buddha.
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together
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ReadSeptember 18, 2008
More than 2,500 years ago, while sitting under a tree, the Buddha awakened with great enlightenment and came to the decisive knowledge about human destiny and realized with unshakable certainty that he himself had been freed from the suffering of that fate with the passage of such a
long time. It is as if the dust of time has not reduced the clarity of Buddha's message and radiance. Buddha's charm is still active among his disciples. But really why? Is this defensible? What does the people of Razi from the East, who lived in the middle of the first millennium BC in the heart of historical conditions completely foreign and different from our times, have in their pockets to bring to the contemporary world today and now?
articles biography
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James
198 reviews4 followers
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June 2, 2018
A nice primer on the historical Buddha and the origins of Buddhism written by an American anthropologist. I appreciated Carrithers' mixture of academic rigor and thoughtful openness. His explication of Buddhist meditation as it arose and yet differs from yogic meditation is particularly instructive. I think there are limitations to the conditioned objectivity of intellectual interrogation in spiritual discourse, but this is still a great little overview of the Buddha as witnessed from a particular perspective.
culture-sociology
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