Rediscovering the Buddha: The Legends and Their Interpretations

by Hans H. Penner

Hans Penner takes a new look at the classic stories of the life of the Buddha. In the first part of the book, he presents a full account of these stories, drawn from various texts of Theravada Buddhism, the Buddhism of South and Southeast Asia. Penner allots one chapter to each of the major milestones in Buddha's life, with titles such Birth and Early Life, Flight from the Palace, Enlightenment and Liberation, Last Watch and Funeral. In the process, he brings to the fore dimensions of the myth that have been largely ignored by western scholarship. In Part II, Penner offers his own original interpretations of the legends. He takes issue with Max Weber's assertion that "Buddhism is an other-worldly ascetic religion," a point of view that remains dominant in the received tradition and in most contemporary studies of Buddhism. His central thesis is that the "householder" is a necessary element in Buddhism and that the giving of gifts, which creates merit and presupposes the
doctrine of karma, mediates the relation between the householder and the monk. Penner argues that the omission of the householder - in his view one-half of what constitutes Buddhism as a religion - is fatal for any understanding of Buddha's life or of the Buddhist tradition. This boldly revisionist and deeply learned work will be of interest to a wide range of scholarly and lay readers.

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2009

Reviews

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume is divided into two parts of very different character. The first half of the book matter-of-factly tells the story of the life of Buddha. The second half is all about trying to find its significance - through historical studies and anthropological theories. This is not easy reading and it took quite some time (and effort!) to finish.

[Joanna Darrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this really optimistic about its contents, given the title - but was left a little disappointed by the depth and quality of the analysis. When I took it to my study group to speak to my geshe and he asked what I thought of it - I could only manage "it wasn't what I expected" to which he responded "then that's a good thing"

So I guess I'm more disappointed in myself and I'll need to re-read it at some point. But for now I'm more drawn to Jack Kornfield and Gill Fronsdalls writings and interpretations. Just a personal style thing I guess, but one which I may need to challenge in myself