The Life of the Buddha

De: Bhikkhu Ñanamoli

Narrado por: Hayward Morse, Leighton Pugh, Nicolette McKenzie, John Foley, Jinananda

This unique biography, told in a lively manner through six 'voices', presents the Buddha's revolutionary solution for humanity that lends to the end of ill will, craving and delusion.

It goes back to the earliest sources of the Buddha's life and teachings, drawing as it does from the Pali Canon which was said to record the words that the Buddha spoke, the events that happened, and his specific teachings on which the world-wide religion was based.

It is an absorbing, edifying and even entertaining collection of reportage, myths, wisdom, kindness, human insight - and decisiveness. For 45 years after his enlightenment he walked around North-Eastern India, encountering and teaching kings, courtesans, matted-hair ascetics, murderers, men and women on spiritual quests - and many ordinary people living ordinary lives in 5th century BCE, but who were grateful for his compassion and advice.

Sometimes he teaches through rich metaphors. Sometimes he teaches through scientific analyses of mental states. In one tender moment, he helps his own son, Rahula, to gain enlightenment. The Buddha was not only clear about life, and how, and why, it should be lived, but endeavoured to create a practical framework that monks, nuns and laymen and laywomen could follow to 'disentangle the tangle' and reach enlightenment.

Not a god or a divine, but a truly remarkable and fulfilled human being. Bhikkhu Ñanamoli's remarkable work - an innovative biography that has become a classic treasured by Buddhists of all traditions - speaks directly, giving us a flavour of what it was like to be around Siddhattha Gotama, the Buddha.

Bhikkhu Ñanamoli (Osbert Moore) was born in England in 1905 and graduated from Exeter College, Oxford. In 1948 he came to Sri Lanka to be ordained as a monk. During his 11 years as a monk, he translated some of the most difficult texts of Theravada Buddhism.

In The Life of the Buddha, however, he made the teachings accessible to all.

©1972 Buddhist Publication Society (P)2016 Ukemi Productions Ltd

Marvelous, Wonderful

this is one of the most thorough and accurate depictions of the life of the Buddha. commentaries and new suttas aside, the original text is all one needs to find enlightenment on the path

All time classic Brilliantly narrated.

In these senseless times of terror and violence this is a must hear. Buddham Saranam Gacchami.

HIghly engaging narration brings history to life

This book is one of the best audiobook renditions I’ve ever listened to. Given the didactic and Socratic nature of the presentation of the Buddha’s teaching life, the dramatic style makes it easy to follow the cast of characters and to readily distinguish between the different types of content. Great job!

Fantastic performance great book five stars +++++

The best book I’ve listened to so far on this subject as it clarifies so many questions for anyone on the path to enlightenment on the origin of Buddhism and much much more. Highly recommend, especially for vipassana meditators or those interested in attending a vipassana retreat I.e. a modern day Sangha for householders. Lastly, this recording of the book was fantastically read and wonderful to listen to. Thank you.

excellent

Having several narrators threw me off at first but I got used to it. In the end it was an incredibly inspiring and has the taste of Dhamma

Clarity.

Profound production. Modulated heartfelt readers. Brilliantly crafted audio. For serious listeners. For those in need of understanding the dhamma. Buddha’s message via his discourses. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Very Helpful

Amazing work that will help anyone with an interest in the Pali Cannon. It provides context for many familiar passages.

AN ENLIGHTENING BOOK ON BUDDHIST HISTORY

This book is recommended for a short but comprehensive understanding of the Buddha and the buddhist teaching.

Good Story - Take Intense Focus

It is a tough listen with the constant repetition of sayings. However it is difficult to listen to anything written many centuries ago. The story is interesting and I would still recommend.

Too many narrators

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

There were too many people narrating the book which is sad, because it is a really great book.