[ThaiHaBooks] More than two thousand years ago, in the southern lands – now Nepal – a great man emerged among humanity. He was revered as “The Buddha,” meaning “The Awakened One.” Today, the Buddha is honored not only as a magnificent spiritual figure but also as a global symbol of wisdom, compassion, and enlightenment. The great legacy He left behind is not merely the Dharma (Teachings) or the Sangha (Community), but an extraordinary life that serves as an endless source of inspiration for millions.

The book “The Buddha – A Study of a Global Great Figure” is compiled in the spirit of the “Middle Way,” balancing careful selection of materials with objective academic inquiry. The author constantly questions: Which events in the Buddha’s life should be mentioned? Which details should be simplified? Should we rely on classical sutras or later traditions? Should we follow Pali, Sanskrit, or harmonize thoughts from various schools? And is it wise to synthesize details that might be controversial or difficult for the general reader to access?

From these contemplations, the book becomes a comprehensive journey exploring the life of the Buddha—from a prince of the Shakya clan to an Enlightened Being, from a solitary path of cultivation to the establishment of the Sangha and the widespread dissemination of the Dharma. The book guides readers through the stages: past lives, birth, youth, the quest for truth and enlightenment, teaching, entering Nirvana, and the spread of the Buddhist legacy across eras and distant lands.

BOOK CHAPTERS:

• Chapter I: The Buddha: A Biographical Overview
• Chapter II: Previous Lives of the Buddha
• Chapter III: Lineage, Birth, and Youth
• Chapter IV: The Quest and Enlightenment
• Chapter V: Teachings and the Sangha
• Chapter VI: Daily Life, Miracles, and Missionary Journeys
• Chapter VII: Final Days, Parinirvana, and Relics

ABOUT THE SPECIAL EDITION

The book cover is crafted using traditional Vietnamese lacquer techniques (sơn mài)—an art form demanding patience, meticulousness, and a quiet mind. The image of the Buddha is solemnly depicted against three dominant tones: brilliant gold, warm vermilion, and deep emerald hues that blend and reflect light from every angle, creating a visual effect like a “living painting.”

Each layer of lacquer is applied by hand, left to dry in silence, polished, and then coated again. It is a cycle of persistence – without haste, without shortcuts—resembling a meditation session spanning many days, solely to create a surface of profound depth that can mirror the gaze of the beholder.

This shimmering beauty is not merely aesthetic; it symbolizes inner depth—much like the Dharma of the Buddha: the more you settle, the clearer you see; the quieter you become, the brighter you shine.

The interior pages are printed on HC100 paper – smooth, thick, and durable, ensuring that every turn of the page feels like a cherished act. From form to content, this book is a harmonious entity of art, culture, and spirituality – worthy of being admired, preserved, and passed down.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: JOHN S. STRONG

John S. Strong holds a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies from the University of Chicago. He is the Charles A. Dana Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at Bates College (USA) and has served as a visiting professor at prestigious universities such as Chicago, Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford. He is one of the leading scholars of South Asian and Northern Buddhist traditions, known for rhis esearch works of great depth and influence.

Selected Works:

• The Legend of King Asoka (Princeton, 1983)
• The Legend and Cult of Upagupta (Princeton, 1992)
• The Experience of Buddhism (Wadsworth, 1995)
• The Buddha: A Beginner’s Guide (OneWorld Publications, 2001) – Translated into Vietnamese as Đức Phật Thích Ca: Nghiên cứu về cuộc đời một vĩ nhân thế giới.
• Relics of the Buddha (Princeton, 2004)
• The Buddha’s Tooth: Western Tales of a Sri Lankan Relic (Chicago, 2021)
• Buddhisms: An Introduction (OneWorld, 2015) – Translated into Vietnamese as Toàn cảnh Phật giáo: Đức Phật và Phật pháp.

ThaiHaBooks proudly presents!

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