The Life of the Buddha

Buddhism owes its origin to the inspiration of one man, Prince Siddhattha, who preached in India over 2,500 years ago and became known as the Buddha -- "the enlightened one". In this book, Patricia Herbert draws on manuscript sources from Burma -- one of the most strongly Buddhist countries in the world today -- to tell the story of the Buddha's life as it has evolved over the centuries, incorporating legends, miracles, and local variations. As the narrative unfolds, each episode is shown with double-page illustrations reproduced from two magnificent Burmese manuscripts, which are among the most prized items in the collections of The British Library.

A visual feast of the splendor and intricacies of Burmese art.... This beautiful work deserves a place in every collection of world religions and Asian culture. -- Church and Synagogue Libraries

A marvelous visual introduction to the Buddhist manuscript art of Burma. -- Library Journal