Buddha: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

This lucid little book draws on the Pali canon to retell the life of the Buddha and to recast his philosophy as a strategy for moral and psychological transformation. It succeeds in making Buddhism palatable to modern Western readers at the cost of playing down religious doctrines such as karma and rebirth. Given these omissions, I'm not sure whether it is faithful to the teachings of the historical Buddha or to Buddhism as practiced by the vast majority of Buddhists in Asia. However, I would strongly recommend the book to anyone who is curious about Buddhism but who would be put off by a "religious" book.

One major claim of this book is that in Buddha's case it is impossible to understand the thought without understanding the life. Thus Michael Carrithers tells us the story of Buddha's life, of his coming to meet with a sick person, an aged man and a corpse, his renunciation of the world and his wandering until he meditating calmly under a Bo tree comes to the enlightentment that is his liberation.For forty- five years afterwards he wanders and teaches but when he leaves the world the seed has been planted , there are followers who will spread his teachings throughout the world. I write these words without understanding what ' enlightentment' means and without knowing why I should seek for it, and without having any sense of why it is right to be liberated from the pains and difficulties of our most intimate human connections. I write these words without knowing why it is better to be ' enlightened and kind' rather than to be ' just kind'. And I write too without really understanding how one can have detachment and peace without faith in a personal God. It is not enough to read a book, and take in the meanings intellectually to truly understand it. I do not understand the way of the Buddha, but my sense is that this work is a fine introduction to beginning to know it.

This book, perhaps better than any other I've read, brings to light the unique philosophical position of the Buddha. Carrithers clearly explains how the Buddha stood out from the intellectual background of his time and helps one understand how and why the Buddha arrived at his views. A brilliant account of the Buddha's life and teachings not only for its scholarship but also for its refreshing lucidity.

This work is in essence a reprint of the earlier Past Masters work 'The Buddha'. It provides a succinct, clear overviews of the historic Buddha, his teachings and the development and spread of these up to the present day.Written by a British Anthropologist from an academic perspective - but accessible to general readers, this work is stripped of the enigmatic and ethereal detritus that presents a barrier to understanding in some Buddhist writing, especially for those of an empirical and sceptical bent. Despite the detached, academic style, it is nevertheless clear that Carrithers is deeply impressed with Buddhism.....as will many readers be after finishing this book. This work is very short, only around 100 pages, and this adds to its power. I recommend it unreservedly as a concise introduction to Buddhism. Certainly the most succinct, lucid yet thougrough overview of Buddhism that I've yet read.

This is a recycled version of the same book by the same publisher in the Past Masters series. It is a pity there have been no changes if any made to the original work done in 1983 as a few things have changed in Buddhist studies since then. At least the pictures are better and the book looks shorter than the original transmission.A sharp, highly critical approach with the most important elements highlighted. A coherent essay of depth and rigour. A joy to read and appreciate.This is the 2nd book on Buddhism in the A Very Short Introduction series (VSI) by OUP. The book "Buddhism a VSI" by D. Keown is also excellent. In fact most of the books on the VSI series seem to be brilliant. To be recommended to anyone, cheap to buy, cheaper to read and the taste is very expensive.