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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 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 22, 2023
I read this book three times - 2022, 2023 and 2026. Every time I read it, I gleaned something interesting and it made me smile.
Every chapter is fascinating. Because I enjoy history, and enjoy being surprised, I find the chapters that set the context to be most fascinating. These are chapters one to three, and Appendix II. But the pages in between give the meat, and paint such a beautiful and intimate portrait of the Buddha from the Pali Canon.
Every story that has captured human imagination and has to travel across space and time has suffered the fate of embellishment. Like author Yuval Harari said, humans are born story tellers and we like to put out a narrative that fits our imagination and agendas. In this book, Venerable Shravasti Dhammikka showed that the persona of Buddha too had undergone embellishment over time, and some of these stories have been wrongly accepted as scriptural, and repeated over and over again.
By distinguishing what is described in the Pali Canon, and what are later inspirations, he has succeeded beautifully in showing us what the Buddha was like, and what an amazing and inspirational figure he was, even when shorn of all the later wrappings.
Readers would appreciate the brief introductions to the social, political, economic and religious milieu in which Buddha operated as these sections really enhanced our understanding of some of the Buddha’s words and actions, and that of his disciples.
Chapter 7 would be an interesting read. Gleaning from the Pali Canon, the author reconstructed a typical day in the Buddha’s like. This is intimately human, not god-life. And it shows how grounded, compassionate and wise the Buddha was. Ironically, it is this humanity that is so inspiring, because it means that we as mere mortals can also follow in the Buddha’s footsteps.
Lastly, read the appendixes. Appendix II is especially interesting because it addresses many of the timeline and relationship between Buddha’s teachings, and the teachings in the Vedas and Jainism, and some of the misconceptions especially in relation to the topic of kamma and re-birth (it is a mini who-dunnit, haha). This is a very helpful summary and assessment. (For a fuller and more scholarly description, read Johannes Bronkhorst’s “Greater Magadha”).
Every chapter is fascinating. Because I enjoy history, and enjoy being surprised, I find the chapters that set the context to be most fascinating. These are chapters one to three, and Appendix II. But the pages in between give the meat, and paint such a beautiful and intimate portrait of the Buddha from the Pali Canon.
Every story that has captured human imagination and has to travel across space and time has suffered the fate of embellishment. Like author Yuval Harari said, humans are born story tellers and we like to put out a narrative that fits our imagination and agendas. In this book, Venerable Shravasti Dhammikka showed that the persona of Buddha too had undergone embellishment over time, and some of these stories have been wrongly accepted as scriptural, and repeated over and over again.
By distinguishing what is described in the Pali Canon, and what are later inspirations, he has succeeded beautifully in showing us what the Buddha was like, and what an amazing and inspirational figure he was, even when shorn of all the later wrappings.
Readers would appreciate the brief introductions to the social, political, economic and religious milieu in which Buddha operated as these sections really enhanced our understanding of some of the Buddha’s words and actions, and that of his disciples.
Chapter 7 would be an interesting read. Gleaning from the Pali Canon, the author reconstructed a typical day in the Buddha’s like. This is intimately human, not god-life. And it shows how grounded, compassionate and wise the Buddha was. Ironically, it is this humanity that is so inspiring, because it means that we as mere mortals can also follow in the Buddha’s footsteps.
Lastly, read the appendixes. Appendix II is especially interesting because it addresses many of the timeline and relationship between Buddha’s teachings, and the teachings in the Vedas and Jainism, and some of the misconceptions especially in relation to the topic of kamma and re-birth (it is a mini who-dunnit, haha). This is a very helpful summary and assessment. (For a fuller and more scholarly description, read Johannes Bronkhorst’s “Greater Magadha”).
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.
June 20, 2026
I read the Sinhala translation by Rev. Kudagammana Seelarathana. I thought the original one would be a bit overwhelming for me. The translation had many proofreading errors but it delivers the message. What would have been the life of the Buddha back then and could all those stories be true? I guess this gives some answers or landing pads for those who desire.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews