Imagining Gautama

Published: May 21, 2011, 5 a.m.

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Free Buddhist AudioToday\\u2019s FBA Podcast, is the second talk in a major new series of talks by Vishvapani to mark the launch of his new book: \\u2018Gautama Buddha: The Life and Teachings of the Awakened One\\u2019 (Quercus, 2011).

In \\u201cImagining Gautama\\u201d, originally subtitled, \\u2018Approaching The Buddha As An Historical And As A Mythic Figure\\u2019, Vishvapani traces his own relationship to the Buddha, from early family connections arising out of the turmoil of war to his experience of writing the book itself. In doing so he explores the tricky work of trying to engage with the imagination constrained and disciplined by the historical evidence. What emerges from his work with the Pali texts is a portrait of the Buddha and his world where it\\u2019s impossible to miss the vital sense of a man questing for a coherent vision of reality.

Features a question-and-answer session.

Talk given at the Cardiff Buddhist Centre, 2011.
Check out our blog for more on this fascinating series.

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