Everyone needs inspiring friends. Families need sources of guidance to know how to live together in harmony. And everyone can benefit from learning methods to improve themselves continually—becoming kinder, wiser, and happier. This book introduces the Buddhas, whose example of peace and wisdom is the inspiration for millions of people around the world. Beautifully illustrated and elegantly worded, each page reveals a different aspect of enlightenment, teaching how adults and children alike can begin to develop these good qualities themselves. Based on the teachings and artwork of the Kadampa Buddhist Tradition, the breathtaking images, inspiring stories, and simple explanations make every part of the spiritual path fun and approachable.
Discover:
- Who are the Buddhas?
- Teachings, stories, mantras, and prayers
- Exquisite and inspiring statues and artwork
- “A Closer Look” image-seeking game
- How Kadampa Buddhists are working for world peace
Excerpt from this book:
Buddha Shakyamuni
In northern India in 624 BC a baby was born to Queen Mayadevi and King Shuddhodana. They called the little boy Siddhartha. The King wanted his son to be a ruler like him, so he kept him very busy in the palace. Prince Siddhartha was kind to everyone, and learned perfectly every subject he studied. When he was grown, he married Yasodhara and had a son.
One day during a visit to the city, Siddhartha saw so much pain and suffering. He passed people who were very old and sick. He saw a human corpse, and finally he saw a monk. The prince wanted desperately to discover how to end suffering for everyone, and begged to leave the palace to try. He said goodbye to his family and began a long, difficult journey.
After training his mind for six years, Siddhartha knew he was very close to his goal. He walked to a place now called Bodh Gaya, sat under a Bodhi tree, and promised not to rise from meditation until he became a Buddha. Many frightening and tempting maras surrounded Siddhartha and tried to stop him. Because of the strength of Siddhartha’s concentration on love, however, even Devaputra, King of Demons, could not succeed. Although he and his armies threw many terrible weapons at Siddhartha, these turned into flowers and fell to the ground.
As the sun rose, Siddhartha’s mind transformed into that of a Conqueror Buddha with immense power to help all living beings. Forty-nine days later, he began to teach others how to follow the path to pure happiness.
