Some 2500 years ago in ancient Northeast India, a young, brilliant and courageous man discovered the sublime answer to how the mind works and how to realise unconditioned happiness and bliss. For the next 45 years, he devoted his life to teaching the doctrine that helped bring unparalleled happiness, peace and relief to numerous people long after his death. In time stories began to emerge proclaiming his greatness and his near-divinity status. Over generations and into distant lands, those stories took on a life of their own. Eventually the real man is buried under a mountain of beautiful fantasies and magical tales. Scholars in Buddhist studies have never lost sight of the historical Buddha. There is a beautiful story to tell about the real man but the materials never quite made it to the mass market because academic books are generally hard to read and appreciate. This book seeks to bring the historical Buddha back into the popular psyche. That story is as intriguing, and is perhaps even more inspiring than the best fantasy story that had ever been woven....

"Buddha did not waste time with external worldly conditions. He had seen through their transient nature and decided to go in search of happiness directly and not derive it through conditional proxies. At 35 (quite the prime ofhis life), Buddha knew exactly what it was like to taste that exquisite inner peace that is not dependant on fickle, short-lived external conditions. After six years of exacting spiritual practice under very painful conditions, he succeeded in his quest to realise unconditioned happiness (nibbana). By any yardstick, that attainment alone would already have made his life deeply meaningful. While the rest of the world hankers after passing moments of delight, he abided in deep contentment and happiness as a matter of course. There is no comparison!"...

Table of Contents Abbreviations for Pali Canon Texts | i An Author’s Request | ii Foreword | viii Chapter One: Spread of Dhamma to Kosala | 1 Chapter Two: Establishing the Nun Order | 19 Chapter Three: Sangha Quarrels at Kosambi | 37 Chapter Four: Middle Age – Successes in Dhamma Work | 47 Chapter Five: Middle Age – Trouble and Unpleasantness | 93 Chapter Six: Troubling Times | 123 Chapter Seven: Troubled Old Age | 145 Chapter Eight: Last Days | 160 Chapter Nine: After Parinibbana – safeguarding Dhamma | 205 Short Reflection on Volume 2 | 225 Poems | 228 Glossary of Pāli Words | 231 About the Author | 241 Bibliography | 243 In Noble Service | 247...