Beschrijving

The Life of Buddha: As Legend and History by Edward J. Thomas is a classic scholarly work that traces the **life and development of Siddhartha Gautama — the Buddha — from his ancestral origins, birth, and early life through his ascetic wandering, enlightenment, and years of teaching. The narrative weaves together ancient texts, legends, and historical sources to offer a nuanced picture of how the Buddha’s story evolved across centuries and cultures. Rather than simply repeating popular tales, Thomas critically examines the earliest available records, exploring where fact, interpretation, and tradition intersect in the Buddhist tradition. He contextualizes the Buddha’s key teachings — such as the Four Noble Truths and the Middle Way — within the broader historical and doctrinal framework of early Buddhism. The book balances historical inquiry with narrative clarity, making it useful for both students of religion and general readers interested in the origins and meaning of Buddhism as a world religion.