Buddha

By: Karen Armstrong

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

This rich, timely, and highly original portrait of the Buddha explores both the archetypal religious icon and Buddha the man. In lucid and compelling prose, 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 transform human beings and enable them to live at peace in the midst of life's suffering. Buddha also expands to focus and meditate on the culture and history of the time, as well as the Buddha's place in the spiritual history of humanity, and the special relevance of his teachings to our own society as we again face a crisis of faith.

©2001 Karen Armstrong (P)2001 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Religious historian Armstrong succeeds brilliantly in creating a compelling and illuminating portrait." (Booklist)

"This handsome and solid portrait is sure to become a classic; it is a refined and readable biography of a pivotal character in human history." (Publishers Weekly)

"Armstrong combines the abilities of storyteller, historian, and interpreter of Buddhist thought to create a work that is both fascinating and informative." (Library Journal)

"[A] fascinating biography....Kate Reading superbly moves along the text, keeping pace with Armstrong's ideas and hypotheses." (AudioFile)

Karen Armstrong is exeptional

As a lifetime Buddhist, I am impressed by the accuracy of this rendition of the life of Buddha.. It's obvious that a great deal research was done by the author. She is thorough without overwhelming us with detail and her use of the English language is masterful.

Good Introduction to the subject

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I found the details of Buddha's early life to be the most interesting part of the story. I found the ending to be the least interesting because once his philosophy was established some of the nuances were confusing.

What does Kate Reading bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She has a pleasant voice and says all the Asian names accurately, as far I know anyway

Did Buddha inspire you to do anything?

It inspired me to read another book about Buddha

Academic

I found this to be a very academic look at the life of the Buddha. It was interesting to a point but I don't think those of us who are interested in the spirituality of Buddhism will find chronilogical review of his life very satisfying.

My favorite book on Buddhism!

I play this book all the time in the background - it is so positive and thoughtful it just makes me happy 😊! If you know this author at all, you know your IQ goes up just reading any Karen Armstrong Book.

My favorite Favorite Buddhist story is discussed. How cool is it that when Buddha needed a witness for his status he touched the ground and told Mara (devil) "the earth testifies for me."
Whenever your out in nature touch something and say this and you will feel that blissfull place...I sure do!

Buddha (Unabridged)

Karen Armstrong's book Buddha is a treasure for anyone interested in learning about the Buddha from simultaneously a historic, an anthropologic, a philosophic, a spiritual, and an esoteric perspective. The book's unfolding traces an easy to follow spiritual and esoteric contextual time-line that covers the human condition from known history. Karen Armstrong narrates and explains a very plausible version of the Buddha's life and demonstrates a sensible mastery of the Buddhist Teachings. I remain grateful that her book was made available in audio format. I will buy the printed version as a companion to the audio format. I was also absolutely delighted with Kate Redding's reading of this book. Ms. Redding has captured the spirit of this book in her reading. I'm looking forward to listen to and then read Karen Armstrong's other books. Too bad that Ms. Redding isn't reading her other books. Ms. Armstrong and Ms. Redding thank you so much for touching my soul and mind in my quest for spirituality.

Absolutely AWESOME! !!

Never before did I get such a useful and informative account of the Buddha's life and teaching.
I'm going to buy the written version as well and treasure it. ..read it and use it as an inspiration in my own practice.
Thank you, Karen. ...well done. bravo ! !!

Learned So Much

I always love learning about different religions, and this book did not disappoint. I learned so much about Buddhism that I never knew, that goes beyond the stories, and more into the scraps of history that might be telling us a deeper story.

I highly recommend this book.

Eminently Listenable

Karen Armstrong, the eminently readable writer of history becomes the eminently listenable with this narrator. Excellent narration. "Eminently readable" in no way demeans the abilities of the author as historian. What she does bring to the stage is a history like one written by Barbara Tuchman which provides a fresh and interesting eye on history without the pendantic mumblings of (too often) the traditional historian. Given the huge number of books on the religion, Buddhism, the insights of a religious hisorian like Armstrong are especially useful. Also recommended is her "Jerusalem" (uncertain if available in audio format).

Siddhartha plus history and more

Armstrong must have dedicated lots of time to this book, because she sets the Siddhartha story in a historical context with careful coverage of historical sources and their limitations (no written record of Buddha for about 100 years after his death). First is a summary of the source of her information with interesting insights. Next she covers the life story. Along with way, when describing a key event she will follow up with discrepancies in different texts that cover the story, similar to comparing the gospels. The reader has a pleasant voice.

Extremely impressive

I am stunned by how accurate and concise this book is. I've been through dozens of dhamma books, and this one stands out. It is rich in breadth and depth, and all in something like 6 hours. Truly masterful.