A young man, blessed with loving parents and a safe home in a world where want and neglect abound, leaves his family in search of himself. He joins the Samanas, a band of wandering ascetics without possessions or earthly ties. His quest unfulfilled, he descends into a life of unbounded luxury and indulgence. Where is truth? Where will his soul find true ease, in denial, in decadence, or in some truth far greater than himself, so simple, so close to...

A world-renouned religious thinker contemplates one of the world's most sacred figures. In a profound blend of biography, religion, history, and philosophy, Armstrong's highly original portrait of the Buddha explores both the archetypal religious icon and Buddha the man.

Combines archeological fact and Buddhist theological legend to recount the life of Gautama Buddha, from the traditional story of his birth, through his quest for wisdom, the years as a sage and teacher, and his death.

When Siddhartha, a prince, journeyed outside the palace gates and saw suffering, he began the journey that lead him to become Buddha.

A visual overview of Buddhist history and practices featuring more than 180 color photos and illustrations of ancient Buddhist art, sculpture, and architecture as well as modern followers of the faith.

"... Stephen Batchlor's account of his journey through Buddhism, which culminates in a groundbreaking new portrait of the historical Buddha"--Jacket.

Drawn directly from over 24 Pali, Sanskrit and Chinese sources and retold by the author, this book traces the Buddha's life slowly and gently over the course of 80 years, partly through the eyes of Svasti, the buffalo boy, and partly through the eyes of the Buddha himself.