The Life of Gotama the Buddha: Compiled Exclusively from the Pali Canon

The book is arranged into five principal parts. Part I, “The Earliest Years,” presents the prophecy of Asita and Gotama’s memories of youth, especially the dissolution of pride in youth, health, and life. Part II, “Discipline and Enlightenment,” gathers canonical accounts of the Buddha’s renunciation, spiritual quest, struggle with fear, attainment of enlightenment, discovery of the ancient path, and recollection of his own career. Part III, “First Events after the Enlightenment,” follows the Buddha’s early post-awakening period, including his meditations under different trees, the decision to teach out of compassion, the first sermon, the first disciples, the not-self discourse, Yasa, early ordinations, missionary sending, the conversion of the Jaṭilas, the Fire Sermon, King Bimbisāra, Sāriputta, and Moggallāna. Part IV, “The Buddha’s Relation with His Disciples and Others,” presents episodes involving Rāhula, Vassa, neglected monks, Mahāpajāpatī and the order of nuns, Nakulapitā, Meghiya, Soṇa Koṭikaṇṇa, solitude, cruelty, Māra, reverence, criticism, dissension, Ananda, Sunīta, and Culla-Panthaka. Part V, “Last Events in the Life of the Buddha,” narrates the final journey, teachings on communal welfare, the Four Noble Truths, Ambapālī, the Buddha’s illness, the decision to pass away, the four great authorities, Cunda’s meal, the twin sāla trees, Subhadda, the last words, Parinibbāna, and the immediate aftermath.