The Journal of the Siam Society Vol. LXXII, Part 1-2, 1984 - Khamkoo

David J. and Indrani Kalupahana Shambhala, The Way of Siddbartha (a life story of
the Buddha) (Boulder (USA) and London, 1982) 234 pp. Paperback.
This is one of the most fascinating books ever written on the life of the Buddha
by a husband and wife team. Both born into the same Buddhist culture, plus their
intimate knowledge of early sources of Bodhisattva Siddhartha's life from Pali and
Chinese sources enabled them to write this charming book.
Written in simple language,
yet without leaving out abstract and deep philosophical aspects of the Buddha's
teachings.
The life of the Bodhisattva begins as an infant with Prajapati as aunt and
foster mother, and of course, dominated by Suddhadana, his father. Asita's astrological
predictions has cause for a father's fears. We read about his early childhood associates,
Devadatta, Ananda, Kapila and others, and all these recapitulations give the feeling
that the Kalupahanas had actually witnessed these events of Bodhisattva's early life.
Then they narrate his marriage to Yasodhara, his own cousin. But, I never
realized, until I read this book, that she was more mature and serene than I ever
gathered of what I learnt in Sri Lanka, that Yasodhara was against his great renunciation.
Then, as we read on in the book, we learn more and more of the life of the
Buddha, as authentically as possible. We learn of the gracious King Bimbisara, noble
Ambapali, Waisakha, and the patricide Ajasatu, and the jealous Devadatta, the
murderer Angulimala who was made a saint by the Buddha. All this and much more
on the Buddha, to us the greatest man who ever lived on earth. It is an authentic
biography of the Buddha- the man who attained the Samma-Sam-Buddhahood, who
found us a way to overcome the riddle of existence and end Dukkha and enjoy immortality
in the Nirvanic bliss.
Dr. and Mrs. Kalupahana have a natural way to express the Dharma (Dhamma)
in very simple terms, whereby all can read and understand. Perhaps more complex
Buddhist books could be read later after this exposure.
Sri Lanka is proud of the performance of this son and daughter. Dr. Kalupahana
is a product of the Ceylon University Peradeniya, who studied under the wellknown
professor, Dr. Malalasekera, and later obtained a Ph.D. (London). Dr. David
Kalupahana is one of the most outstanding Buddhist scholars and is a Professor of
Philosophy at the University of Hawaii.
This book should find a place in every public and private library, and should
be widely read.
Buddlzadasa P. Kirtl!isinghe
Representative Maha Bodhi
Society of India,
New York
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