III. The Buddha and the History of Buddhism

Awakening of the West: The Encounter of Buddhism and Western Culture, 543 B.C.-1992, Stephen Batchelor, London : Aquarian, 1994, 416p., 1-85538-343-8. Tells the story of the development of Buddhism through the lives of its key personalities: the historical founders and modern exponents of the Theravada, Tibetan, Zen and Nichiren schools, as well as the Western pioneers who traveled to Asia and returned to create the first Buddhist centers. A clear introduction to Buddhist thought and practice and an overview of the major traditions active in the West today.(Bu#180)

Biography of the Buddha, K.D.P. Wickremesinghe, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Self-Published, 1972, 344p. A comprehensive account of the Buddha's life in 45 chapters by a legal scholar.(Bu#010)

Buddha, Karen Armstrong, New York : Penguin Books, 2001, 205p, 0-14-303436-7. A religious scholar examines the life and times of the Buddha. Against the backdrop of cultural ferment that characterized the world at the time, Armstrong blends history, philosophy, mythology, and biography to create a compelling and illuminating portrait of a man whose awakening continues to inspire people everywhere today.(Bu#298)

Buddha: his Life in Images, Michael Jordan, London: Carlton Books, 2003, 320p., 1-84222-944-3. Brings together centuries of beautiful Eastern sculpture and painting of the Buddha. The numerous photographs, ranging from India, Tibet, China, Japan, and Indonesia , feature richly and gilded jeweled bronzes, elaborate and colourful paintings, and statuesque rock carvings. The artwork is accompanied by essays that explore the story of the Buddha and Buddhist art in each region and provide additional information on topics such as the cave complexes of China.(Bu#272)

Buddha The Awakener, E.B.A. Kariawasam, Sri Lanka, 1987, 117p. The author historically traces the degradation of the Buddha's original teachings and compares the development of Buddhism with Hinduism, Christianity, and Mohammedanism.(Bu#011)

Buddhism in Sri Lanka: A Short History, H.R. Perera, Kandy : BPS, 1966, 91p., (WH 100), 955-24-0017-1. Traces the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka from 250 BC until 1965.(Bu#132)

Buddhism in Thailand: its Past and its Present, Karuna Kusalasaya, Kandy : BPS, 1965, 30p., (WH 85). Surveys the four periods of Buddhist history in Thailand ( Siam ) and clearly outlines the present structure and monastic and lay practice of Buddhism in the country.(Bu#273)

Buddhism Transformed: Religious Change in Sri Lanka, Richard Gombrich, Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1988, 484p., 0-691-01901-0. A social anthropological study of religious innovation and change among Sinhala Buddhists. Examines how Buddhism proper shares the Sri Lankan religious arena with a spirit religion.(Bu#018)

Buddhist Images and Narratives, Dr. Amarendra Nath, New Delhi : Books & Books, 1986, 117p., ill.,  81-85016-17-8. An academic description of the iconographic details of the art objects found at a site called Khara Khoto in Central Asia.(Bu#021)

Buddhist Religions: a Historical Introduction, Robinson, Johnson, Thanissaro, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2005, 5^th ed., 357p., 0-534-55858-5. A readable scholarly text that presents Buddhism as a family of religions consisting of the three main Buddhist traditions: Theravada, Mahayana, and Tibetan. The themes of the chapters include: the Buddha's awakening, the Buddha as a teacher and power figure, the development of early Indian Buddhism, the period of the three vehicles, Buddhism in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, and Buddhism comes west. Also includes: a map, an overview of the three canons, a pronunciation guide, and a glossary of terms.(Bu#026)

Forest Monks of Sri Lanka: an Anthropological and Historical Study, Michael Carrithers, Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1983, 306p., 19-561389-9. Scholarly study of the forest monks of Sri Lanka who have variously sought to return to the solitary life and reform institutional Buddhism.(Bu#045)

Life of the Buddha, As it Appears in the Pali Canon, Bhikkhu Nanamoli (transl.), Kandy : BPS, 1992, 3rd ed., 374p., 955-24-0063-5.  A vivid, warm and moving portrait of the Buddha composed entirely from the texts of the Pali Canon. Includes chapters on the Buddha's personality and doctrine.(Bu#052)

Mulagandhakuti Vihara Wall Paintings, Kosetsu Nosu, Calcutta : Chirantana, [1976], [34p.]. Reproduction of 23 colour plates of paintings from the walls of a vihara in Sarnath, Varanasi, India depicting scenes of the Buddha's life. Includes descriptions.(Bu#085)

Old Path White Clouds: Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha, Thich Nhat Hanh, Berkeley, CA: Parallax Press, 1991, 599p., 0-938077-26-0. A beautiful presentation of the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha drawn directly from 24 Pali, Sanskrit, and Chinese sources and retold by Thich Nhat Hanh chiefly in the form of narrative stories. The reader follows the Buddha from his royal childhood as Prince Siddhartha through his search for the truth, his enlightenment, and the years in which he spreads his teachings.(Bu#236)

Portrait of the Buddha (from a Novelist's Pen), Jayasena Jayakody, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Department of Cultural Affairs, 1979, 235p. A prominent Sinhala writer depicts the life of the Buddha in the form of a biographical novel.(Bu#064)

Virgin's Eye (Women in Buddhist Literature), Piyadassi Thera, [ Sri Lanka ], 1980, 102p. Stories of the impact of the Buddha's teachings on women in the Buddha's time translated from the Pali texts and Commentaries.(Bu#078)

Western Contribution to Buddhism, William Peiris, Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass, 1973, 287p., 0-8426-0537-1. Chronicles the growth and spread of Buddhism in the West and gives biographical sketches of the western scholars who made significant contributions to the furtherance of Buddhist thought.(Bu#112)