Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment (Enlightenment Collection Book 1)

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!

I have read Chopra's previous books. He gives a lot of stress to value of knowledge and wisdom in human life. Chopra likes to mix fact and fiction and paint his version of story, that's what he has done in his comic books Ramayana and Devi. Chopra's Buddha is no different. But the problem is, there is lot of historic facts available on Buddha and his journey. Why add fiction that sometimes contradicts what Theravada Buddhism widely accepts in terms of Buddha's story. That happens even in terms of Buddhist philosophy. The theory of 'Nothingness' is integral part of Buddhism today but not traditional Shakyamuni's(Buddha) teachings. Chopra's storyline pictures on 'nothingness' as part of Buddha's talk. Buddha has talked very less about it. He talked more about transient nature of world, middle path and four noble truths. Nagarjuna - a later buddhist - brought in the theory of nothingness in his book Mulamadyamakarika.Chopra's story has many gaps. While Gautama was shown to be going in search of a maid girl Sujata, very little is written about his wife Yashodhara and son Rahul. Other girl with the same name pictured to be taking care of Gautama for weeks. The widely accepted version is - Gautama after a long penance(and weak body) decided to give up this extreme path to hurt the body. He accepted the sweet rice from Sujatha. His five companions looked down upon him as he broke his vows and left him... Then came his famous words 'let my bones fall.... I will not get up until I reach the truth'. There is no such thing in this book. Even the journey is shown to be Siddharth's journey for himself. Buddha himself has said that he started the jouney out of the feeling 'what is the root cause of suffering and how it can be removed from the world'. There is no mention of Bodhisattva - a very important notion in Buddhism.The story in the book is very well written though. I had a feeling it was written for western audience considering in mind - that's how characters in the story speak. Its hard to believe 2500 years ago, people in India speak this way. This is not how the story is told in Buddhist monasteries in East. But I must admit many references and facts and very well mixed and portrayed in the story. The story makes you think.And I thought, finally aren't we looking at ancient Buddhist scripture for Buddha's story? May be Chopra's story adds more fiction and that is Okay if it tries to capture the essence of the Tathagat's(Buddha) journey in Chopra's way. Because Buddha is not name of person but its a name of a State - infinite state of infinite knowledge. The essence of Buddha's story to me is Siddharth's fearlessness, compassion, serenity and perfect tranquility. Its a story of a prince who choose inner path of Nirvana. Although many believe that Buddhist principles are similar to the knowledge in Upanishads(ancient Indian scriptures) no one put them into practice as Buddha did. Hindu's consider Gautam Buddha as incarnation of Lord Narayana but he is very different than other divine incarnations. He lived more human, down-to-earth life than any other divine figure. He mixed with common people more than anyone else so much so that he preached not in Sanskrit but in Pali and Ardhamagadhi - commoner's languages. He emphasizes not on some divine figure far away but your hard work and wisdom towards your own goal. This story captures that essense so I give 4 stars.I recommend it to all who has interest in Buddha's life. There is lot to learn from a man's journey who lived 2500 years ago.

It’s 12:50 AM here on the East Coast in USA as I start to write this blog on the book, “Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment” by Deepak Chopra. The very fact that I could not wait till morning to write this should give the reader an idea of the kind of impact this book has had on me.I am follower of the Sant Nirankari Mission. I have been blessed with God Knowledge by the grace of my Divine Master Her Holiness Satguru Mata Savinder Hardev Ji Maharaj. Although, I was blessed with God Knowledge a while ago, everyday has been a fight for me to stay true to the path that my Divine Master has laid down for me. Often, I’ve wondered why that is the case. After knowing the truth, why can’t I stay in line with it? I found some answers in this book.Buddha, as we know him was born a warrior prince Siddhartha who was just like most mortals but a mortal who responded to his conscience when he was asked, is this what is life was mean to be? When he saw the sufferings around him, he wanted to find a way to escape it and thus was born, Gautam!Gautam, as a monk, spent years in the forest meditating all the way trying to find a way to escape suffering. He starved himself, subjected his body to all kinds of pain so that he would learn to conquer suffering & death and yet that did not satisfy him. The quest continued & it’s only when he finally realized, “Life is suffering. It is not about winning or losing, it’s not about happiness or sorrow, it’s not about life or death but it’s about being aloof from both the extremes” that Gautam turned into, “Buddha” !!As I finished reading that conclusion, I was reminded of Rev. Vivek Shauq Ji’s vichars where he would often say that “We need to accept everything as will & wish of the formless God. There is nothing called as pain and pleasure”While trying to be a Nirankari, I’ve often tried to use my verbal skills to convince my friends & family to get God Knowledge from Sadguru Mata Ji & yet very few of them have actually responded. I used to often wonder, why? I found some answers in the book.After being enlightened, Buddha was on his way back to his kingdom and he sees that his father is at war with his cousin. Buddha notices that two warriors are fighting each other’s and they come very close to Buddha. Buddha walks right in between them and challenges them to hit him and kill him first before trying to reach each other’s. The two warriors feel ashamed & they drop their weapons. Buddha says, “Some people can be reached by speaking to their conscience. Those are the ones who will recognize their wrong when it is told to them”As Buddha walks further though, the two armies are fighting furiously and they pay no attention to him. Here Buddha says, “These are people who cannot listen to conscience, not because they are bad but because they are too caught up in action. You cannot preach to someone who is fighting for life and breath, not just in war but in the ordinary struggle of existence” To such people the only way to preach is through my right actions!

I've read this book a couple of times, but I wanted a physical copy. It's such an amazing fictionalization of the Buddha's life.