The Life of the Buddha

One of the world's great religions, Buddhism claims hundreds of millions of followers. It was created and inspired by Prince Siddhattha, who preached in India more than 2,500 years ago and became known as the Buddha (the enlightened one). Buddhist teachings are an important part of many Asian cultures, and scenes of events in the Buddha's life are depicted in sculpture and paintings in Buddhist temples and manuscripts.

Drawing on manuscript sources from Burma, Patricia Herbert recounts the story of the Buddha's life as it evolved over the centuries, incorporating legends, miracles, and local variations. The episodes are illustrated in full page color reproductions taken from two Burmese manuscripts that are among the British Library's most prized items.