Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment by Deepak Chopra
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Book Reviews of Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment
Book Review: Emancipate yourself from mental slavery
Summary: 5 Stars
Good stories take us to another place. They cause us to forget our reality for a time. Great stories transform, forcing us to reconsider the concept of reality and our place in it. Thanks to his well-honed story telling skills and the touching subject matter of an amazing life, Deepak Chopra's Buddha falls squarely in the camp of transformation.
I had a hard time putting this book down. I found myself looking forward to my 40 minute train ride (each way) to and from work for the reading time it would offer. Chopra takes us through the life of the historical buddha, laying out out a set of events that have their climax in Gautama's attaining enlightenment. Because it aims to tell a story rather than to convert the reader, the narrative is inviting and engaging. But more than simply a story, it facilitates introspection into the mind, into one's personal sense of freedom and into one's attitudes on compassion.
I was about to cite my own myriad experiences with Buddhism and state that this book isn't for everyone, but on further thought, that would not be an accurate statement. There is something in this book for everyone. For some, it might shed light on a mysterious school of thought. For others it could represent an opportunity to consider well-worn ideals from a new, refreshing angle. Still others may determine after finishing the book that they want to learn more about Buddhism. And then there are those who are experts in Buddhism, but have likely not heard the story told from such a personal, approachable viewpoint.
If you have the means, I highly recommend you pick this book up!
Book Review: An Interesting Journey into Buddhism
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're looking for entertaining historical fiction, this may hit the mark. If you're looking to be inspired with how to evolve spiritually as did Siddhartha, into the Buddha, then this is the perfect book for you.
Buddha, who lived in a time of oral, not written tradition, has many differing accounts of his life now in print. Deepak Chopra's historical novel takes the most agreed-upon facts and adds his interpretation of Buddha's emotions and experiences. At once, Buddha becomes a more understandable figure, and the Buddhist philosophy more approachable to the reader.
Chopra reimagines the early life of Siddhartha, who left his princely throne to seek spiritual enlightenment. This novel is replete with evil gods, bloody battles, and a taste of the Indian culture of the time to capture the reader's interest. This tome on the inner thoughts and motivations of Buddha traces each step in the journey that led Siddhartha to cast off his material life and reach enlightenment. In this way, Chopra illustrates, rather than preaches, the principles of Buddhism - that the root of suffering is illusion and belief in the separate self.
At the end of the book, there is an epilogue that explains the basic tenets of Buddhism for those who want to follow this path.
Book Review: Deepak Chopra succeeds in putting his own spin on this ancient story.
Summary: 5 Stars
In this challenging task to fictionalize the story of the Buddha, Chopra sets up an engaging plot full of suspense. There are many characters in the book that make the Buddha story a much broader experience than one would think. Chopra's incorporation of the evil spirits that challenge the Buddha make for an interesting spin. The Buddha must have encountered many people who taught and inspired him, and this book fills out that aspect of his life quit well. Thus, the Buddha is portrayed as the human being that he was, not so much as the god he became regarded as after his enlightenment. This is what makes Buddha such a great experience; it gives the reader a chance to experience the Buddha's enlightenment while he was still searching for it, the side of this ancient story that is rarely told.Book Review: Beautifully told story
Summary: 5 Stars
Wow! What a wonderfully told story. Deepak did an awesome job with this work of fiction. The story moves from Siddhartha the prince, to Gautama the monk, to the enlightened being Buddha, in three distinct but intricately interwoven sections -- from glimpses of enlightenment through the fog of delusion, to the tormenting struggle with duality, to complete transcendence of duality and attachment. The character is developed so well that by the time Deepak got to the end of the book, Buddha came alive for me. I absolutely loved the way the story ended. I found myself wanting more, which, for me, makes a great book. Without the primer on Buddhism at the end, the reader gets a full and fundamental understanding of Buddhism just by the way the story unfolds and is told. Loved it!Book Review: Buddha: a great novel
Summary: 5 Stars
Deepak Chopra tells the dramatic story of Buddha in an easy to read novel form, but the essence of the book is the true life of Buddha. Chopra's deep understanding, intuition and imagination, succeeds in bringing the story of Buddha alive. It is almost as if Deepak was there as an eyewitness when it all happened! The novel is enjoyable and entertaining, and has such richness that it completely pulls you in and this it makes it very hard to put down.
Spiritual Stepping Stones - Kindle Edition.
Spiritual Stepping Stones - Paperback Edition.