The Buddha

John S. Strong is Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Bates College in Maine, USA. He has lectured in countries across the world, including Japan and Sri Lanka, and is the respected author of four books and numerous articles on Buddhism.

Preface Pronunciation and transliteration of terms INTRODUCTION: THE LIFESTORY OF THE BUDDHA Textual sources for the study of the lifestory of the Buddha Lifestory and pilgrimage Lifestory and art Lifestory and ritual Lifestories and buddhology: the development of a Buddha-life blueprint 1 PREVIOUS LIVES OF THE BUDDHA Adding karmic depth to the Buddha's lifestory Gautama's path to buddhahood: when does it start? The practice of perfections Gautama's imperfections 2 ANCESTRY, BIRTH, AND YOUTH The Sakya lineage The Buddha's birth Prognostications: the signs of the "great man" Upbringing in the palace Turning away from kingship: the beginnings of discontent 3 QUEST AND ENLIGHTENMENT Incitements to leave home The great departure The making of a monk The practice of austerities The abandonment of austerities The offering of milk-rice The defeat of Mara Enlightenment 4 TEACHINGS AND COMMUNITY The weeks following enlightenment The First Sermon: the Middle Way and the Four Noble Truths The Second Sermon at Benares: Non-self and impermanence Other teachings to the group of five Further conversions in Benares: Yasa and his family The return to Magadha: the thirty friends, Uruvilva Kasyapa, King Bimbisara, and Sariputra and Maudgalyayana The return to Kapilavastu: the conversion of the Sakyas 5 DAILY ROUTINES, MIRACLES, AND DISTANT JOURNEYS Settling down: rules and contentions The Jetavana Monastery Daily routine The Great Miracle at Sravasti The rains-retreat in Trayastrimsa Heaven The descent from Trayastrimsa Heaven Distant journeys: the visit to the Northwest Another distant journey and more demons: the Buddha in Sri Lanka The journey to Sronaparanta: leaving footprints on the way 6 FINAL DAYS, THE PARINIRVA?N?A, AND THE NIRVANA OF THE RELICS The Buddha's last journey Death-bed deeds The funeral and cremation The collection and distribution of the relics The life and final extinction of the Dharma and the relics Sources and Further Reading Glossary of Sanskrit names and terms Bibliography Index