The Life of Buddha: According to the Legends of Ancient India

The book is divided into three major parts. Part One presents Siddhartha’s miraculous origin and early life: King Suddhodana and Queen Maya, Maya’s dream, Siddhartha’s birth, Asita’s prediction, his visit to the temple, first meditation, marriage, palace life, the three encounters, Gopa’s dream, the prince’s search for the great truths, renunciation, hermit life, the grief of Gopa and Suddhodana, instruction under Arata Kalama, meeting with King Vimbasara, abandonment by his first disciples, meditation under the Tree of Knowledge, Māra’s defeat, and Buddhahood. Part Two follows the Buddha’s first teaching activities: Trapusha and Bhallika, preparation to preach, departure for Benares, reunion with former disciples, several Jātaka-style narratives, residence at the Bamboo Grove, conversion of Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana, pacification of Rajagriha, Suddhodana’s messengers, return to Kapilavastu, Gopa’s virtue, Nanda’s renunciation, Anāthapiṇḍika’s offering, new disciples, Nanda’s pride, and Suddhodana’s death. Part Three narrates the later ministry: Mahāprajāpatī’s admission to the community, exposure of imposters, episodes involving Suprabha, Virupa, Sinca, a wild buffalo, dissension among monks, Kuvalaya, Alavaka, Devadatta, Ajātaśatru, Prasenajit, the Buddha’s doctrinal teaching, instructions at Vaiśālī, the meal at Cunda’s house, and the Buddha’s final entrance into Nirvāṇa.