20世紀までの人類史上で、最も影響力を持つ思想家であったと思われるのがお釈迦様（ガウタマ・シッダールタ）です。その思想は当時のインドの社会的・政治的背景の中でどのように発展していったのでしょうか。本書は仏教徒たちが書き遺した複雑な経典を解きほぐし、釈迦の人生と教えを読者にわかりやすく伝えます。急速に広まり、何世紀にもわたり伝えられてきた仏教の重要性と現代における妥当性を深く考えさせてくれる一冊です。(cf. Buddhism, #003; Buddhist Ethics, #130)
   

• VSI Buddhism is one of the best selling titles in the series: 26,000 copies sold since publication in 1996
• Until the 20th century, the Buddha was probably the most influential thinker in human history
• Covers the life of the Buddha and the genesis and significance of his teaching
• Also discusses how and why Buddhism spread across continents and survived so well through the centuries

  
Michael Carrithers guides us through the complex and sometimes conflicting information that Buddhist texts give about the life and teaching of the Buddha. He discusses the social and political background of India in the Buddha's time, and traces the development of his thought. He also assesses the rapid and widespread assimilation of Buddhism and its contemporary relevance.