The Buddhacarita: In Praise of Buddha’s Acts is a complete biography of Sakyamuni; from his birth until after his death (parinirvana); when his relics were distributed. Composed by Asvaghosa (early second century CE) the text was rendered into Chinese by Baoyun in 421 CE from the original Sanskrit; creating a simplified version that would be more easily understandable to a Chinese audience. The Buddhacarita reads like a play; describing the incidents and events of the Buddha’s life story; from his miraculous birth and early life of wealth and privilege as Crown Prince Siddhartha; to his spiritual journeying and eventual attainment of enlightenment and the teaching and conversion of disciples and followers. Along the way key elements of the Buddha’s teaching are revealed and the message of his life is an example of the possibility of awakening and liberation for all.
#2280141 in Books Yucca Tree Press 2001-10-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.38 x 6.34 x 9.20l; #File Name: 1881325474400 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A superb history of one of the CS Army's finest regiments.By Alan E. CreagerThe Third Tennessee Infantry Regiment has a proud; distinguished history and a story that deserves very much to be told. Thanks to the extensive research and dedication of James Van Eldik; the 3rd Tennessee's story can be told in a manner that I am confident would satisfy the men of that fine regiment themselves.This book is well over 300 pages long; so don't expect it to be a short and simple read. This is a very in-depth book; but that has a lot to do with why it's so good. Any story; to be told properly; should be told with as little omission of detail as possible."From the Flame of Battle to the Fiery Cross" covers the history of the 3rd Tennessee from before the beginning of its time in Confederate service to after; as the survivors went home and moved on. This regiment was formed as a Tennessee volunteer militia regiment in 1861; and quickly became a Confederate regiment once Tennessee seceded. They fought in numerous battles; among them Missionary Ridge and Resaca. The men of the 3rd Tennessee fought on until the 3rd Tennessee all but ceased to exist. By 1865; when the surviving men were paroled and sent home; the 3rd Tennessee Infantry regiment was a shattered remnant of what it used to be- less than 30 men were left. The rest had been killed; captured; wounded; or gone missing.The second part of the main title- the fiery cross- refers to a unique part of the 3rd Tennessee's postwar history. Men from this fine regiment; bored somewhat with postwar life; started riding around in hooded white outfits. It's hard to imagine today; but the Ku Klux Klan; at its very beginning; was a joke much along the lines of a college fraternity centered on hijinks and pranks. However; the originally humorous nature of the Klan soon changed as newer; different people entered the fold and turned the group in a far meaner direction. It was around this time; when the KKK the survivors of the 3rd Tennessee Infantry Regiment started gave way to the KKK we know today; that the men of the 3rd Tennessee stepped out. These men; regardless of who exactly they were and what they thought on matters pertaining to race and slavery; were not interested in what the new KKK had in mind. So while they started the Klan; the surviving men of the 3rd Tennessee are; in my mind; free from blame in regards to what the Klan has gone on to do.This is a superb book. It is rich in historical detail; researched to a degree that is just amazing. The fighting men of the 3rd Tennessee come to life once more in this hardcover's pages; and regardless of whether the cause they fought for was right or wrong; I am confident that any other reader will walk away convinced as I was that these men had fought the good fight; from the beginning to the end.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. OUTSTANDING READ !!!By J. BoatrightAbsolutely outstanding. As I had 2; 3rd great uncles that served in the 3rd Tennessee infantry; it gave me greater insight into what they went through. The war in the western theater is largely forgotten by historians. This book follows the 3rd Tennessee Infantry from organization to Mississippi; Louisiana; Tennessee; Georgia; South Carolina and surrender in North Carolina. An absolute must read for any Civil War and or family researcher1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. In Depth and DetailedBy CivilWarTVGreat book for any Civil War buff. Helps give you an idea of how a small Southern Regiment fought and lived.
