Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment
In this major new work, New York Times bestselling author Deepak Chopra brings the teachings of the East to the West as he breathes life into the iconic path of the Buddha. \ BUDDHA is an inspiring re-imagining of the life of a prince who gave up the trappings of royalty for something much more important-wisdom and enlightenment. This revolutionary journey has changed the world forever, and the lessons Buddha taught continue to influence every corner of the globe today. This is a new form of...
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Deepak Chopra brings the Buddha back to life in this gripping New York Times bestselling novel about the young prince who abandoned his inheritance to discover his true calling. This iconic journey changed the world forever, and the truths revealed continue to influence every corner of the globe today. A young man in line for the throne is trapped in his father's kingdom and yearns for the outside world. Betrayed y those closest to him, Siddhartha abandons his palace and princely title. Face-to-face with his demons, he becomes a wandering monk and embarks on a spiritual fast that carries him to the brink of death. Ultimately recognizing his inability to conquer his body and mind by sheer will, Siddhartha transcends his physical pain and achieves enlightenment. Although we recognize Buddha today as an icon of peace and serenity, his life story was a tumultuous and spellbinding affair filled with love and sex, murder and loss, struggle and surrender. From the rocky terrain of the material world to the summit of the spiritual one, Buddha captivates and inspires—ultimately leading us closer to understanding the true nature of life and ourselves.Publishers WeeklyEastern philosophy popularizer and mind-body pioneer Chopra has done novels before, and critics have not found fiction his long suit. That should change with this tale of how the Indian prince Siddhartha came to be the enlightened one, the Buddha. The subject is tailor-made for Chopra. He can draw on what he's familiar with: the ancient Indian culture that shaped the historic personage of the Buddha, and the powers of mind that meditation harnesses. Although the novel begins a little slowly with exposition and character introduction, once the character of the Buddha is old enough to occupy center stage, Chopra simply portrays the natural internal conflict experienced by any human seeking spiritual wisdom and transformation. Centered on a single character, the narrative moves forward simply and inexorably. Especially imaginative and intriguing is the low-key nature of the Buddha's enlightenment experience. In case Chopra's fans want something more direct, an epilogue and concluding "practical guide" offer nonfiction commentary and teaching on core Buddhist principles. Chopra thanks a film director friend for sparking the project, and the novel has clear cinematic potential. This fast and easy-to-read book teaches without being didactic. Chopra scores a fiction winner. (May)Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information
\ From Barnes & NobleIn his author's note to Buddha, Deepak Chopra writes: "I wrote this book as a sacred journey, fictionalized in many of its externals but psychologically true, I hope, to what the seeker's path feels like. In all three phrases of his -- Siddhartha the prince, Gautama the monk, and Buddha the Compassionate One -- he was as mortal as you and I, yet he attained enlightenment and was raised to the rank of an immortal. The miracle is that he got there following a heart as human as yours and mine, and just as vulnerable." Chopra's soulful take on Buddha offers a refreshing view of an ancient sage.\ \ \ \ \ Wayne Dyer"A page turning masterpiece. This book is destined to become a classic."\ \ \ Brian Grazer"Essential reading for anyone curious about the foundations of Buddhism."\ \ \ \ \ Peter Guber"An adventure in enlightenment with all the twists and turns of a great movie."\ \ \ \ \ Ken Wilber"A wonderful novelization of the greatest adventure you will ever undertake...."\ \ \ \ \ People Magazine"Chopra’s engaging novel has the over-the-top appeal of a TV extravaganza like Rome..."\ \ \ \ \ People“Chopra’s engaging novel has the over-the-top appeal of a TV extravaganza like Rome...”\ \ \ \ \ Booklist"The Buddha’s story is compelling and… Chopra captures the essence of the spiritual seeker."\ \ \ \ \ Publishers WeeklyEastern philosophy popularizer and mind-body pioneer Chopra has done novels before, and critics have not found fiction his long suit. That should change with this tale of how the Indian prince Siddhartha came to be the enlightened one, the Buddha. The subject is tailor-made for Chopra. He can draw on what he's familiar with: the ancient Indian culture that shaped the historic personage of the Buddha, and the powers of mind that meditation harnesses. Although the novel begins a little slowly with exposition and character introduction, once the character of the Buddha is old enough to occupy center stage, Chopra simply portrays the natural internal conflict experienced by any human seeking spiritual wisdom and transformation. Centered on a single character, the narrative moves forward simply and inexorably. Especially imaginative and intriguing is the low-key nature of the Buddha's enlightenment experience. In case Chopra's fans want something more direct, an epilogue and concluding "practical guide" offer nonfiction commentary and teaching on core Buddhist principles. Chopra thanks a film director friend for sparking the project, and the novel has clear cinematic potential. This fast and easy-to-read book teaches without being didactic. Chopra scores a fiction winner. (May)\ Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information\ \ \ \ \ Library JournalOnce you get past the marketing package (got enlightenment?), what remains here is a fictionalized versionof the Buddha story. Famed New Age guru Chopra presents Buddha's journey from Siddhartha the prince to Gautama the monk and on to enlightenment, with half of the book spent on the tale of Siddhartha's. More mythic fable than biography, this story is filled with imagined details and dialog combined with legend, fantasy, and the supernatural. Chopra's goal of bringing Buddha's story to the mainstream may be hard for some to swallow, as there is so much less focus on the teachings than the life, as it is fantastically presented here. Only in the epilog are some of those connections made clearer. Given Chopra's following and a major media push, this book will be in demand, but it may be one that people talk about more than read. Recommended for where there is interest in Chopra's writings.\ —Nancy Almand\ \
