- Paperback: 422 pages
- Publisher: Picador USA; Reprint edition (Oct 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0312425090
- ISBN-13: 978-0312425098
- Product Dimensions: 2.1 x 1.4 x 0.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,510,167 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
An End to Suffering: The Buddha in the World
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Product Description
Kate Chisholm in Evening Standard, November 2004
It's a hugely satisfying attempt to explore the way in which broader truths about life impact on the individual.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Spanning centuries, covering the globe, and encompassing politics, philosophy and religion, The End of Suffering is both unprecedented in its scope and immaculate in its execution. An accomplished and impressive history of the Buddha, it separates the man and his beliefs from the many myths and ideologies that have since become synonymous with his name. On a more personal level, Mishra describes his travels in search of the Buddha and, in doing so, offers glimpses into his own quest for enlightenment, from childhood to September 11, from family background to friends met and made, from lessons learned to achievements as a writer. The End of Suffering also provides an account of India's post-colonial past -- and hope for its future. A moving and occasionally horrifying description of a country in chaos, the India that emerges in Mishra's writing is one struggling to forge an independent identity for itself amid talk of revolution, amid the legacy of imperialism, the violence and brutality of an oppressive caste system, and the continued influence of the West. In so combining stories of the Buddha, India and Mishra himself, the latter reveals the parallels between their respective jou
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Part biography, part history, but mainly a journey of a man trying to understand the place of Buddhism in a modern India.
Even as a former scholar of Indian civilization and religion I discovered many new and interesting facts. Pankaj has researched well; the book strikes a good balance between academic rigour and accessibility.
India is described honestly and beautifully - from an insider's perspective but without partiality. He is clearly fascinated by his country and loves the people who either made a mark on its history, or struggle to exist from day to day. For an outsider there is a clarity about why India throws up problems and questions for the visitor trying to understand where modern India is going now and why the reality is so different to our preconceptions of India. All of this is cleverly interwoven with the main, important facets of the Buddha's life and message.
The Buddhist reader will feel refreshed and never patronised. The student in search of Buddhist knowledge could hardly do better than start with this book. Unlike the thousands of books on Buddhism out there, this one hardly ever repeats or goes over familiar ground. I believe he has achieved the near impossible by writing as though this has been a fresh discovery for him, rather than being passed from a particular tradition. You will be carried along by his curiosity and his style.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Pankaj Mishra is an intellect/ genius, this book is probably my best read, thought provoking and his comparison of Eastern and Western Philosophies is in detail and again highly thought provoking. His speculation of what Buddha might have had prescribed in current times is equally interesting. A very hard and intellect read in the background of his travel experience in India and abroad makes it more beautiful....had to read some paragraphs few times over to understand.....Definitely recommend
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Right away I would like to make clear that I am not a reader of non fiction but Pankaj Mishras book An End to Suffering is one of the most engrossing reads that have come my way lately. A skillful combination of Indian travel writing, Buddhism, philosophy and a quick look at Indian history makes it an easy read for anyone interested in making a start in those subjects.
His own wide ranging experiences and reading form the basis of the book which makes the writing personal and intimate without sacrificing an objective point of view or facts and figures.
Thouroughly enjoyable, makes me want to read all his other books.
His own wide ranging experiences and reading form the basis of the book which makes the writing personal and intimate without sacrificing an objective point of view or facts and figures.
Thouroughly enjoyable, makes me want to read all his other books.
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