The Living Buddha An Interpretive Biography

The Living Buddha is a biography with a double focus. It is a vivid historical narrative based on what is known or can resonably be surmised concerning the Buddha's life and times. It is also an inspiring account of a heroic life dedicated to helping all people free themselves from suffering and futility and attain true peace of mind.

Daisaku Ikeda is the author and coauthor of more than 60 books on Buddhism and the founding president and leader of the Soka Gakkai International, one of the largest lay Buddhist organizations in the world. He is the recipient of the United Nations Peace Award, the Rosa Parks Humanitarian Award, and the International Tolerance Award of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Burton Watson is a translator of Chinese and Japanese literature. His translations include Chuang Tzu, The Lotus Sutra, Ryokan, Saigyo, and The Vimalakirti Sutra. He received the PEN Translation Prize in 1981.