"Karen Armstrong's 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 comfortable life and eminent social status for an arduous quest for spiritual enlightenment." "Armstrong brings to life the Buddha's quest from his renunciation of his privileged life to the discovery of a truth that he believed would utterly...

Buddhism: An Introduction to the Buddha's Life, Teachings, and Practices is an indispensable guide to a 2,600-year-old wisdom tradition that has transformed the lives of millions across centuries and around the world. Readers will learn how Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha, one of the most influential spiritual leaders of all time, and discover how they too can follow his revolutionary methods to attain happiness and inner freedom. Along with...

A biography of the Buddha narrates the life of the 5th century B.C. Indian prince who renounced his kingdom in order to seek enlightenment for all beings.

"The first English-language, general-audience study of Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī, the stepmother and maternal aunt of the Buddha who, according to the Buddhist tradition, became the first bhikkhuni (Buddhist nun)"--

"It is one of the more startling facts of military history that the founders of three of the four "great religions" -- Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam-- were also accomplished field generals with extensive experience in commanding men in battle. One of these, Muhammed, fought eight battles and was wounded twice, once almost fatally. Another, Siddhartha Gautama (later to become the Buddah), witnessed so much battlefield carnage that he suffered a psychological...

"A revised edition of a classic title, now with digitally restored photographs, showcasing the finest surviving examples of ancient Buddhist art. Since their chance rediscovery in 1819, the breathtaking paintings and sculptures of the Ajanta caves have inspired and delighted experts and amateurs alike. Ranging in date from the second century BCE to the sixth century CE, these ancient Buddhist artworks rank among the world's most important cultural...