Buddha His Life, His Doctrine, His Order

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"Buddha: His Life, His Doctrine, His Order' is a seminal work by Prof. Hermann Oldenberg. This book is a comprehensive study of the life and teachings of The Buddha, who founded Buddhism. Oldenberg, a distinguished German scholar of Indology and Buddhist studies, meticulously examines the historical context of Buddha's life, offering a detailed narrative that traces his journey from a prince to an enlightened spiritual leader.

The book is divided into three main sections: the life of Buddha, his doctrine, and the organization of his monastic order. In the first section, Oldenberg presents a vivid and engaging account of Buddha's early life, his renunciation of worldly pleasures, and his quest for enlightenment. The second section delves into the core principles of Buddhist teachings, including the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, providing readers with a clear understanding of the philosophical foundations of Buddhism. The final section explores the establishment and structure of the Buddhist monastic community, known as the Sangha, highlighting its role in preserving and disseminating Buddha's teachings.

Oldenberg's scholarly approach, combined with his insightful interpretations, makes this book a valuable resource for both academics and general readers interested in Buddhism. His work remains a cornerstone in Buddhist studies, offering a thorough and respectful portrayal of one of history's most influential spiritual figures.

THIS book is a translation of a German work, Buddha, sein Leben, seine Lehre, sein Gemeinde, by Professor Hermann Oldenberg, of Berlin, editor of the "Påli Texts of the Vinaya Pitakam and the Dipavamsa." The original has attracted the attention of European scholars, and the name of Dr. Oldenberg is a sufficient guarantee of the value of its contents. A review of the original doctrines of Buddhism, coming from the pen of the eminent German scholar, the coadjutor of Mr. Rhys Davids in the translation of the Pâli scriptures for Professor Max Müller's "Sacred Books of the East," and the editor of many Pâli texts, must be welcome as an addition to the aids which we possess to the study of Buddhism. Dr. Oldenberg has in the work now translated successfully demolished the sceptical theory of a solar Buddha, put forward by M. Senart. He has sifted the legendary elements of Buddhist tradition, and has given the reliable residuum of facts concerning Buddha's life: he has exam- ined the original teaching of Buddha, shown that the cardinal tenets of the pessimism which he preached are "the truth of suffering and the truth of the deliverance from suffering:" he has expounded the ontology of Buddhism and placed the Nirvâņa in a true light. To do this he has gone to the roots of Buddhism in pre-Buddhist Brahmanism: and he has given Orientalists the original authorities for his views of Buddhist dogmatics in Excursus at the end of his work.