From one of the world’s leading Buddhist scholars, a deeply researched and unprecedented portrait of the Buddha
 
Like Jesus and Muhammad, the Buddha is one of the most significant figures in history. But is he a historical figure? In this revelatory book, Donald S. Lopez Jr. explores this question and considers what is at stake in the answer. Using stories of the Buddha’s life—drawn from the earliest biographies, the work of other scholars, and his own research—Lopez traces a single narrative from the Buddha’s birth to his enlightenment to his passage into nirvana.
 
Unlike those who transformed the Buddha into a rationalist philosopher, Lopez seeks to “remythologize” the Buddha, restoring the rainbow that encircled the Buddha for centuries, radiating his teachings around the world. Complementing traditional Buddhist sources with insights from Gustave Flaubert, Oscar Wilde, George Eliot, and others, Lopez produces a rich, accessible, and unprecedented portrait of one of the world’s most important religious figures.

“This quick read invites us to see the Buddha as a mythic figure who continues to intrigue Buddhist imaginations.”—Tricycle, “Our Scholarly Recommendations of 2025”

“Donald Lopez expertly retells one of the greatest religious stories of all time: the life story of the Buddha. Highly personal and imaginative, yet also thoroughly grounded in authoritative classical sources, Lopez’s book uses the story as a gateway to reflect on enduring issues in the study of Buddhism, including the question of whether or not the Buddha was a historical person. A highly stimulating and enjoyable read.”—Reiko Ohnuma, Dartmouth College

“The liveliest writer on all matters Buddhist, Lopez travels through the conflicting biographical accounts to arrive at the enigma of the Gautama Buddha’s uncertain historical existence. Full of things one probably doesn’t know, wonderfully written, this book is an illumination.”—Eliot Weinberger, author of The Life of Tu Fu

“Among the many biographies of the Buddha that have appeared over the last century and a half, this one by Donald Lopez clearly stands out: Brilliantly written and original in its approach, it is much more than just ‘another life of the Buddha,’ and will be of interest to specialist scholars and general readers alike.”—John S. Strong, Bates College

Donald S. Lopez Jr. is Arthur E. Link Distinguished University Professor of Buddhist and Tibetan Studies at the University of Michigan. He is the author or editor of many books, including Buddhism: A Journey through History; The Scientific Buddha: His Short and Happy Life; and The Story of Buddhism. Lopez lives in New York City.