book data
490 ratings, 3.90 average rating, 133 reviews
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published
May 1st 2007
by HarperSanFrancisco
binding
Hardcover, 288 pages
isbn
0060878800
(isbn13: 9780060878801)
description
BUDDHA is an inspiring re–imagining of the life of a prince who gave up the trappings of royalty for something much more important–wisd...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 866)
Read in June, 2008
Dah lama selesai nih buku...
Mengutip kata-kata Deepak Chopra...bahwa kehidupan Buddha itu adalah D.R.A.M.A yaitu Distraction, Regression, Adjusment, Maturity and Action , setuju gak yah?
Dalam buku ini memang Deepak lebih dalam mengungkapkan apa yang terjadi terhadap Sidharta...perang batinnya menghadapi Devadatta, Ayahnya, orang-orang yang mempunyai expectasi lebih terhadapnya, Setan Mara bahkan perang melawan dirinya sendiri...Awal hidup sebagai pangeran, lalu hidup sebagai petap...more
Mengutip kata-kata Deepak Chopra...bahwa kehidupan Buddha itu adalah D.R.A.M.A yaitu Distraction, Regression, Adjusment, Maturity and Action , setuju gak yah?
Dalam buku ini memang Deepak lebih dalam mengungkapkan apa yang terjadi terhadap Sidharta...perang batinnya menghadapi Devadatta, Ayahnya, orang-orang yang mempunyai expectasi lebih terhadapnya, Setan Mara bahkan perang melawan dirinya sendiri...Awal hidup sebagai pangeran, lalu hidup sebagai petap...more
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Read in July, 2007
One major reason I liked this book is because it takes a 'what-if' approach to the story of Gautam Buddha and presents an alternative explanation of events. I also liked the last part where the author discusses the teachings of Buddha in a Q&A section. I think this should have been put in the narrative itself coming directly from Buddha. That said, there were some of the teachings in his conversations with his new disciples. The writing/language was pretty ordinary, compared to books like Si...more
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Read in May, 2007
recommends it for:
Those interested in spirituality in general
This was a very entertaining and inspiring fictional account of the life of the Buddha. Most of the characters and events of the novel are from the passed down story of Buddha, but it is the depiction of his inner experience that is imagined. The scope of the novel is wonderful in that it starts with his life as Prince Siddartha, moves next into his years as Gautama the monk, then to his enlightenment and subsequent transformation into the Buddha. He was truly an Everyman, and his story demon...more
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Read in March, 2008
recommends it for:
Anyone interested in Spirituality, Buddhism,Adventure and or Fantasy
This book was wonderful!! A tale of Buddha as imagined by Deepak Chopra. We learn of Siddartha's birth, His relationship to all those around him and about his life protected from the world behind walls of the kingdom while trying to find his own true path. A tale full of war, love, Jealousy, death, passion and following ones true Soul calling. This book is a great descriptive read full of fantasy, adventure and spirituality. Included are Buddha's life after enlightenment and a breakdown of the e...more
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Read in May, 2008
This book is a great personification of a historical figure. I really enjoyed reading it and can see myself referring to it again in my lifetime.
Following the story, Chopra offers a synthesis of the Buddhist doctrines that he hopes you will learn from the novel. This explanation leaves a little to be desired but I think his intention is that the reader use the story as a springboard to deeper exploration of Buddhism.
Following the story, Chopra offers a synthesis of the Buddhist doctrines that he hopes you will learn from the novel. This explanation leaves a little to be desired but I think his intention is that the reader use the story as a springboard to deeper exploration of Buddhism.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in December, 2008
recommended to Christy by:
found while searching for books on meditationrecommends it for: spiritual people, Buddhists
While this book is technically fiction, it is a great account of how Prince Siddhartha became the Buddha that we all know...or wish to have known. I chose this particular book because of Chopra's vast experience in spirituality and philosophy. I trusted that his book would be based on the real foundations of Buddhism, not just an exaggerated tale created for the sole purpose in keeping me entertained.
It is broken up into the three main parts of his life: 1) Prince, 2) Monk and 3) Buddha. ...more
It is broken up into the three main parts of his life: 1) Prince, 2) Monk and 3) Buddha. ...more
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Read in June, 2007
I read this book because I was looking to learn a little more about Buddhism. The story was well-written, and the Practical Guide to Buddhism at the end summed everything up very well.
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I picked up this book because I love Buddha. He was a sweet dude and I dig what he did for humanity. So did Herman Hesse and that's why he wrote Siddhartha an amazing work of insight and revelation about the core of Buddhist thought and the life of a man who brought his message of silence and contemplation to the world.
Chopra does a great disservice to Siddhartha and all people with his book. Not only does he muddle the concepts of Buddhism, but he completely misrepresents the man and w...more
Chopra does a great disservice to Siddhartha and all people with his book. Not only does he muddle the concepts of Buddhism, but he completely misrepresents the man and w...more
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I bought the hardcover, and that says something. The stories of the Buddha are truly difficult to tell, because they are so layered and every detail seems significant. Only a master storyteller like Chopra understands what it means to tell the story of the Buddha in a way that is truly enchanting, embracing the Buddha not simply as the greatest philosopher the world has ever known, not simply the guru that we all believe spread wisdom about ending personal suffering, but also the man that he was...more
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4 comments
First thing first, I honestly have no idea of what to call this book with.
I broke the spin of my copy, fyi, for I read and reread it. I was moved, I admit, as much as I was shaken by the message.
In the first part, Chopraji managed to sow the story of feral, raw, ancient India so well, so unbelievably human, Siddhartha included. It wasn't difficult to, say, picture the characters. Unfortunately, it degrades in the second part, "Gautama the Monk." Chopraji said in his foreword th...more
I broke the spin of my copy, fyi, for I read and reread it. I was moved, I admit, as much as I was shaken by the message.
In the first part, Chopraji managed to sow the story of feral, raw, ancient India so well, so unbelievably human, Siddhartha included. It wasn't difficult to, say, picture the characters. Unfortunately, it degrades in the second part, "Gautama the Monk." Chopraji said in his foreword th...more
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Read in March, 2008
A beautifully written story. This fictionalized biography is best described as a "portrait." It follows Siddhartha from before he's even born through his enlightenment. Unlike Hesse's "Siddartha," which I remember as being much more about the spiritual journey, and therefore more esoteric, Chopra's "Buddha" really focusses on the characters. This is great; it makes Siddartha's conflicts and motivations feel real, and also gives Chopra a couple of different chara...more
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Read in October, 2008
recommends it for:
Everyone!
Incredible book ~ couldn't put it down.
From the last paragraph:
"The fire of passion burns out eventually. Then you dig through the ashes and discover a gem. You pick it up; you look at it with disbelief. The gem was inside you all the time. It is yours to keep forever. It is buddha." ~ Buddha
Chopra goes on to say in the Epilogue a very defining (yet not-defining!) statement about Buddhism which intrigued me:
Buddhism survives today and thrives all around the world becaus...more
From the last paragraph:
"The fire of passion burns out eventually. Then you dig through the ashes and discover a gem. You pick it up; you look at it with disbelief. The gem was inside you all the time. It is yours to keep forever. It is buddha." ~ Buddha
Chopra goes on to say in the Epilogue a very defining (yet not-defining!) statement about Buddhism which intrigued me:
Buddhism survives today and thrives all around the world becaus...more
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Read in December, 2008
Chopra's story of Siddartha Gautama's early life is a fair historical novel. He has added characters and elements to flesh out stories of the Buddha before his enlightenment. If you are looking for something to give you insight into the Buddha's teachings or Buddhist philosophy this would NOT be a good book to read. I would suggest Siddartha by Herman Hesse as a better start.
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Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
everyone
Yang saya baca adalah edisi terjemahan bahasa Indonesia terbitan Gramedia. Ini buku Deepak Chopra pertama yang saya baca. Buku ini menarik karena sang penulis mencoba menghayalkan pergulatan batin macam apa yang mungkin terjadi pada bathin seorang yang kemudian mengalami pencerahan dan disebut Buddha.
Bahasanya sederhana. Bahkan saya cenderung menyebutnya, terlalu sederhana untuk gejolak bathin seorang manusia seperti Siddharta. Mungkin saya berharap terlalu berlebih. Tapi, untuk sebuah buku...more
Bahasanya sederhana. Bahkan saya cenderung menyebutnya, terlalu sederhana untuk gejolak bathin seorang manusia seperti Siddharta. Mungkin saya berharap terlalu berlebih. Tapi, untuk sebuah buku...more
Read in November, 2008
I've always have had a very general understanding of Buddhism. After reading this book I walk away with a much deeper understanding and respect for the religion and what enlightenment means for Buddhists. This is a fantastic story and an easy read that keeps drawing you in. A word of warning; your social life will temporarily take a back seat as the reader chooses to stay at home and read instead of visiting with family and friends, but this is temporary. Anyone who reads this book cannot he...more
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Read in January, 2007
[I wish I could give books half-stars. I would have given "Buddha" a 3.5. GoodReads describes 3-stars as "liked it" and 4-stars as "really liked it." Somehow, I am in-between on this book.:]
Chopra made the story pretty fascinating, as he allows us to see Siddhartha's phases--as a prince, a monk, and as Buddha. He becomes more substantial, easier to grasp. Since I know little about Buddha, Chopra gave me plenty to chew on. However, I found myself drifting a b...more
Chopra made the story pretty fascinating, as he allows us to see Siddhartha's phases--as a prince, a monk, and as Buddha. He becomes more substantial, easier to grasp. Since I know little about Buddha, Chopra gave me plenty to chew on. However, I found myself drifting a b...more
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i suspect it's even harder to fictionalize buddha's life than it is Jesus'. It snuck up on me: surprisingly engaging.
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In the spirit of Christmas, I've become curious about the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path...
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2 comments
Read in September, 2008
recommends it for:
Those already familiar with the life of Buddha
I am not a Buddhist and would admit to being fairly ignorant on the subject. I knew going in that this was a novel of the live of Buddha, but while reading it I was continually distracted by wondering if many details or characters or plot lines I read were really thought to be true or if it was just added for dramatic effect. This is one of the only books I can remember reading that I actually felt MORE ignorant after reading than before because of the potential for misinformation. Now I feel...more
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Sesuai judulnya, buku ini memberi pencerahan bagi yang ingin tahu tentang kehidupan Gautama
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currently-reading (on 130 people's shelves)
fiction (on 11 people's shelves)
buddhism (on 10 people's shelves)
religion (on 8 people's shelves)
spirituality (on 6 people's shelves)
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non-fiction (on 4 people's shelves)
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quotes from this book
""There is no holy life. There is no war between good and evil. There is no sin and no redemption. None of these things matter to the real you. But they all matter hugely to the false you, the one who believes in the separate self. You have tried to take your separate self, with all its loneliness and anxiety and pride, to the door of enlightenment. But it will never go through, because it is a ghost.""
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