The Awakened One: A Life Of The Buddha

by Sherab Chödzin Kohn

The story of the founder of Buddhism is one of the world's great archetypal tales of spiritual awakening. He was born Siddhartha Gautama in the sixth century BCE, the son of a prince who ruled a small kingdom in what is now Nepal. Siddhartha led a sheltered existence until the age of twenty-nine, when he left his life of ease and set out to find a solution to the problem of suffering. For years he wandered as a homeless ascetic, practicing severe austerities that brought him to the brink of death but no nearer to his goal. He then abandoned asceticism for a "middle way." Sitting down under a tree, he vowed to remain there until he realized the truth. After a night of deep meditation, his Enlightenment came at dawn, and he was thereafter known as the Buddha, the "Awakened One."

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy, Spirituality, Biography

176 pages, Paperback

First published November 23, 1993

About the author

Sherab Chödzin Kohn is coeditor of the best-selling anthology "The Buddha and His Teachings". He has been teaching Buddhism and meditation for more than thirty years, and he has edited a number of the books of his teacher, the Tibetan meditation master Chögyam Trungpa. He has also published numerous translations, including an acclaimed version of Hermann Hesse’s "Siddhartha". He lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting biography on the Buddha's life

[Lorenzo Bovitutti]

I needed a breath of timeless wisdom, which I used to attend more often in the past.
This book reopens up a new path for me.

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Shrona era uno studente molto desideroso di apprendere e ben presto si ritirò nella foresta per meditare in modo intensivo. Si sforzava tanto vigorosamente di raggiungere la realizzazione che il sentiero su cui camminava su e giù di fronte a dove sedeva in meditazione era intriso del sangue delle ferite dei suoi piedi dedicati.
Egli cominciava scoraggiarsi.
Sapendo che cosa gli stava succedendo, il Buddha gli fece visita. Quando lo vide avvicinarsi, Shrona gli preparò subito un sedile e poi si sedette per terra in disparte.
Il Buddha gli chiese: “non stavi forse pensando tra te e te che, anche se stai perseguendo il tuo scopo con molta diligenza, perlomeno con altrettanta energia di tutti gli altri miei discepoli, tuttavia la realizzazione ti sfugge e dunque forse in questa impresa non c’è per te alcuna speranza?“
“Sì, signore, è questo che pensavo“
“Stavi pensando che, poiché la tua famiglia possiede enormi ricchezze, forse tu faresti meglio a tornare alla vita di capofamiglia ed investire il denaro in modo meritevole?“
“Sì, signore, è questo che pensavo“
E il Buddha: “Da laico, non eri un eccellente suonatore di vina?“
“Sì, signore“
“Quando le tue corde della tua vina erano troppo tese, producevano un bel suono?“
“No, signore. Erano stridule e aspre, e dolorose per le dita“
“E quando erano troppo allentate, come suonavano?“
“Anche in quel caso, non bene. Erano molli e sorde“
“E quando le corde non erano né troppo tese, né troppo lente, rispondevano allora bene alle tue dita e producevano una bella musica? È così, Shrona?“
“Sì, signore, è proprio così“
“È lo stesso con la meditazione, Shrona. Capisci?“
“Capisco, signore. Non troppo rilassato e non troppo teso“
“Non sforzarti troppo, Shrona, e nello stesso tempo non darti per vinto“
“Sì, signore”

[Jampa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book for almost 20 years. It's been in a box for 10 yrs following a few moves due to changes in life. I recently found it and finally read it. I have been studying the Dharma and practicing in that time. Reading the life story of the Buddha was a wonderful reminder of what one can achieve.

[Gaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's a great book to learn about the life of the Buddha. It starts from before he was born as prince Siddharta, to his death as Guatama Buddha, the enlightened one. All the magic and legend is included in this telling of his life.

[S. Wigget · Rating 4 out of 5]

I prefer Old Path, White Cloud by Thich Nhat Hahn, but this is nonetheless a satisfying (and more mythological) biography of Siddhartha Gautama, the historic Buddha.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book. It was such a easy read and very informative.

[Djangkoeng Wis Setå · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biografi budha gautama, nasihat-nasihat, sejarah hingga persebaran agama budha. Isinya sangat padat

[Ronny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me fuller understand of what Buddha went through; background and life of Buddha. However, just like another books, this book alone does not paint the complete picture of what is Buddhism or Buddhist way of life. So, this book paved the way for me to meditate deeper on my own life and all that's in the universe. I don't have the book but I'm thinking of buying one.