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Footprints in the Dust
What was the Buddha like as a human being? How did he relate to others? With great care and an eye for detail, Venerable Dhammika pieces together the life events we can ‘read’ from very early texts. The result is a truly authoritative biography. It shows that as a man, as well as a teacher, the historical Buddha was remarkable indeed. The chapter headings are refreshingly original: a day in the life of, his humour, his debating style, his background. I really enjoyed thinking about Gotama Buddha simply as a person—and clearly an extraordinary one, as Ven Dhammika shows us. I recommend this book to anyone who would like a down- to-earth, accurate and readable appraisal of the founder of this great world religion, seen through modern eyes.
- GenresBuddhism
293 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 11, 2023
An interesting book that discusses about the life of the Buddha using the ancient authentic Buddhist sources. As any scholar would know that the life of Buddha that is known to the world is based on a work written by Asvaghosa titled 'BuddhaCaritha', so the author discusses and sometimes contrasts them with the authentic sources.
The author has made some startling revelations about certain people and events mentioned in the popular life of the Buddha, as he proves that some of them are true, while others are never mentioned in the authentic sources.
The book includes a Map of ancient India, which has been tucked in one of the chapters, though it would have made more sense if it was included in the front page or as an appendix, so that it can be referred easily. There are two appendixes in the book, one mentions the names of the ancient towns and villages visited by the Buddha and a brief description about his activities there which is related to the subject of the book while the other is about the difference between the doctrines of the Buddha and Upanishads, which I thought was not relevant to the title though informative.
Overall, a unique book that discusses the life story of the Buddha taken and referenced directly from the authentic sources.
The author has made some startling revelations about certain people and events mentioned in the popular life of the Buddha, as he proves that some of them are true, while others are never mentioned in the authentic sources.
The book includes a Map of ancient India, which has been tucked in one of the chapters, though it would have made more sense if it was included in the front page or as an appendix, so that it can be referred easily. There are two appendixes in the book, one mentions the names of the ancient towns and villages visited by the Buddha and a brief description about his activities there which is related to the subject of the book while the other is about the difference between the doctrines of the Buddha and Upanishads, which I thought was not relevant to the title though informative.
Overall, a unique book that discusses the life story of the Buddha taken and referenced directly from the authentic sources.
November 28, 2025
Pages 62 to 73, chapter "into the light" are just eye-opening and inspiring. so well written and well edited.
inspires me to practice and write more as well as getting a deeper understanding of how the mara's influence my life.
the whole book as well as the interview with the author on YT parayatti is a flowing river of warm inspiration.
inspires me to practice and write more as well as getting a deeper understanding of how the mara's influence my life.
the whole book as well as the interview with the author on YT parayatti is a flowing river of warm inspiration.
October 30, 2023
I read this twice end of last year and early this year. It is a wonderful book. I am doing a third reading and will write a more comprehensive review shortly.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews