The Buddha

An introduction to the life and legacy of the Buddha.

A subject of veneration for hundreds of millions of people, the Buddha is a source of quiet admiration, reflection, or inspiration to many more. Exploring this iconic figure, his vision of spiritual cultivation, and his teachings on the dharma, Mario Poceski considers the social, cultural, and religious contexts that shaped the major stages of the Buddha's life. He also examines the Buddha's enduring legacy, shaped by the evolving beliefs and ideas of later generations of Buddhists, including major monastic and lay followers. Aimed at general readers, The Buddha offers a fresh view into Buddhist history, philosophy, and practice, as well as the ways the Buddha has been represented and reimagined worldwide over subsequent centuries.