Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment by Deepak Chopra
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Book Reviews of Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment
Book Review: The human side of Buddha
Summary: 5 Stars
Deepak Chopra shows us in his usual lucid way that Buddha is not only divine, but also human.Book Review: Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment
Summary: 4 Stars
Initially the story was slow going with details of Siddhartha's early life and childhood, I believe it was narrated for the purpose of suggesting his normalcy given his situation. Overall Deepak's writing style left me a little dry.
The amount of time and the degree of being an ascetic where he was near physical death I had not previously considered, though I am aware this happens on a regular basis for those taking this path.
Fundamental metaphysical understandings such as the Oneness of All that Is and how to reach/attain and then live such an understanding were pretty well presented. That the Buddha was not anyone more special than anyone else might be a challenge for some if they are looking for a spiritual icon. The suggestion that the only thing that is real is not real is of course a brain twister. This refers to the Universe of form and appearance.
Many consider Buddhism a religion. It is nothing but a more philosophical method of experiencing ones life and by implication all methods ultimately are the same.
If the reader is new to such thoughts they may have a hard time with the concepts presented. It is only towards the end of the book where these concepts are presented. I would have liked to read Deepak's impressions of what was really going on in the mind of the young Siddhartha. What kind of questions he had internally about life and its possible purpose.
A friend of mine recently told me of seeing a picture where there was the body of the Buddha with the head of a dog. She's a dog person. Anyway I told her I believe the Buddha would have agreed with such a representation. The Buddha nature resides in All that Is.
I would recommend this book to people who are just starting to more seriously question aspects of their beliefs. Personally I enjoyed Hermann Hesse's "Siddhartha" more.
Book Review: readable and interesting
Summary: 4 Stars
Most of Chopra's work is an entertaining novel of Gautama's early life. The last two or three chapters--which I found the most informative--delve more deeply into the tenets of Buddhism. Although I'm neither a mystic nor even a dabbler in Eastern religions, I am fascinated by the way others view the world.
To my way of thinking, shedding of the material world is impossible as long as we're alive. Attempting to do so, in that it is doomed to failure, is therefore...foolish. On the other hand, under certain circumstances, and in very limited ways, it can be approximated. I am reminded of T.E. Lawrence of "Lawrence of Arabia" fame who had a simple trick. He would hold a flaming match to his hand and wouldn't flinch. When asked, "Doesn't it hurt?" He replied, "Of course it hurts but...the difference between you and me is that I don't care if it hurts." Try it the next time you go to your dentist and maybe you'll find that Lawrence, and almost certainly Buddha, were on to something.
Maybe some of you all have read the last stanza's of Poe's "El Dorado". I'll paraphrase:
"When his strength
Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim's shadow.
"Shade," said he.
Where can it be,
this land of El Dorado?"
"Over the Mountains of the Moon
through the Valley of the Shadow.
"Ride, boldly ride,"
the Shade replied,
"If you seek for El Dorado."
Lord Buddha wouldn't have agreed.
Ron Braithwaite, author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico
Book Review: Very well done.
Summary: 4 Stars
Over the past 6 months I've been on a spiritual quest of sorts and I stumbled upon Buddhism. I felt Buddha's noble truths came from someone who had made sense of life and the hereafter.
I've spent some time reading Geshe Kelshang Gyatso's interpretation of Buddhist scripture as well as other works like The Buddhist Bible etc. So when a friend gave me this book as a gift, it was considerably more interesting (because it had a plot) and it gave me new perspective into the life of the man who would become Buddha.
I found the work to be an easy read, quite interesting and captivating. I could easily picture Deepak Chopra's story of Buddha being made into a movie as it's such a great story.
Buddhist or not, anyone who believes in a higher natural order of things should enjoy this book.
Book Review: Enchanting
Summary: 4 Stars
I found this novel by Depok Chopra about the life of Budha to be enlightening. As a novel, I expected certain literary license to be taken, and was not distressed by the fictional story that was created. The life of Budha was amazing and the essence of the book is the true story of that life. Depok's novels are as interesting if not more entertaining than his non-fiction works. I've passed this book on to several friends and have received rave reviews from most of them.
As a beginner on a spirtual path to explore the teachings of Budha, this book is an introduction that got my imagination soaring and ready to learn more about the Budha nature in us all.
It is clearly not meant for everyone -- but if you're just starting out, its a great way to begin your journey.