TELUGU
Life of The Buddha
SAROJINI PREMCHAND
GAUTAMABUDDHUNI CHARITRA: M. Rajagopalarao; Buddha Sahiti, 3 Sri Sai Apartments, 6/18, Bradipeta , Guntur-522002. Rs. 100.
THIS TELLS the fascinating tale of Gautama the Buddha, the man who renounced the comforts of a palace and lived the life of a mendicant to seek the deliverance of humanity. The author says traditional lore has woven a veil of myth around his birth and other incidents in his life. Buddhist monks were passing on his story orally in Pali language for about five centuries, and the first ever documentation happened in Sri Lanka.
The earliest work on his life was by Asvaghosha [100 AD], who himself was a Buddhist monk and a great Sanskrit poet. His ornate style made that work a classic and his devout approach served to popularise the teachings.
All the later works were influenced by Mahayana school of thought. Rajagopalarao has drawn much of his material also from other sources such as Lalitavistara, Deeghanikaya, Mahavastu, and Nidaanakatha.
The spiritual journey embarked upon by Siddhartha after donning the robes and the various stages in meditation he progressed through are eloquently presented.
The serene mode of narration helps the reader visualise the enlightened one’s countenance radiating truth. The simple but significant roles played by Sujata, Kisagotami, and Visakha are touchingly portrayed.
A number of illustrations and quality printing add to the value of the book.
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