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| Great Disciples of the Buddha: Their Lives, Their Works. Their Legacy | 
 enlarge | Author: Nyanaponika Thera
Publisher: Wisdom Publications
Category: Book
List Price: $18.95
Buy New: $11.30
You Save: $7.65 (40%)
Buy New/Used from $10.90
Avg. Customer Rating:  (8 reviews)
Sales Rank: 61434
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 412
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 1.1
ISBN: 0861713818
Dewey Decimal Number: 294.30922
EAN: 9780861713813
ASIN: 0861713818
Publication Date: October 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
This book is a compilation of twenty-four life stories of the closest and most eminent of the Buddha's personal disciples.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
 An interesting antology July 5, 2007
The book collects information both from the Canon and from commentaries to give a full account of the individuals that were closer to the Buddha in his lifetime. Quite naturally most of the accounts regard the period BEFORE enlightenment, for those that eventually got there as the list includes people in most parts of the path (Arahat, Anagamin, Ekagamin, Sotapatti) including Mallika, wife of King Pasanadi, which not even entered it.
I borrowed this book a couple of times from the library and finally succumbed to purchasing it. December 14, 2005
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Yes it is that good. I refrained from purchasing it to avoid stocking books in my house. But been borrowing it for a couple of times from the Buddhist Library before thinking of acquiring it. It is a must have - it brought so much inspiration. I felt I knew the disciples of the Buddha so well after reading the book, as though I was fortunate enough to be in the presence of the Buddha. I am a tibetan mahayana buddhist despite this book being a theravadian sectarian, I still find great benefits to be drawn from it. Trust me, if you are into the path, you'll appreciate the companionship of this book. That's my word for you.
Priceless February 28, 2004
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
This is a really good resource for anyone interested in expanding their knowledge in addition to the prose of all the ancient Pali texts. As the title of this book suggests, what you are setting out to read here is ultimately an exploration into the careers and character of the Buddha's greatest disciples. He covers tough subjects such as their ambiguous and esoteric past lives and their aspirations towards enlightenment. Sometimes Nyanaponika, when possible, gives us an account as to the nature of the individual's death. For anyone who studies the Pali Cannon, or who wants to further their understanding of Buddhist theological history - this is your book. The lives depicted here demonstrate that indeed upholding spiritual ideals are apparently documented as having paid off. And not necessarily by means of having gained some "thing." Here are examples of people who struggled against their human existence as much as we all do. Only through faith in the Buddhist path and their practice, were they able to transverse the mundane realm of existence into the realm of the spiritually noble. What a wonderful book we have here. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Real live superheros and heroines January 21, 2001
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
People who can fly, walk on water, multiply themselves or have x-ray vision are usually associated with comic books. According to Buddhist teachings, these powers are accessible to those who can perfect their concentration. Apart from including biographies of some individuals credited with the above sorts of psychic abilities, it also has equally gripping accounts of the more ordinary aspects of these and many other disciples of the Buddha most of whom became enlightened. It is thus an account of the principal individuals after the Buddha who were supposed to have finished everything that needs accomplishing with no further burdens or debts to pay having gained superknowledge.The book includes several self contained short biographies, mainly by the Germans Helmuth Hecker and the late Ven Nanyaponika. It is sadly short on details on the great female disciples. Perhaps more room can be created later. A must for anyone inspired by Buddhism and the potentiality of the human mind for lasting freedom.
Brilliant, Inspiring and Moving December 7, 2000
14 out of 15 found this review helpful
One has to read the work on Sariputta and Ananda to know that great virtues do live in the heart of mankinds. Especially at the reading of 'Last Debt Paid' concerning to last days of Sariputta, I cannot help but to be moved by the details of the event. Each reading, makes me feel the presence of the Great Disciples near me. So inspiring and motivating. A good read and re-read for the future. A must have!
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