Under the Bodhi Tree - Hardcover

Bhikshuni Jin Rou

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0881393193 ISBN 13: 9780881393194

Publisher: Buddhist Text Translation Society, 2004

Synopsis

A richly illustrated, historically grounded retelling of the Buddha’s life, written for children. 

Follow Siddhartha from his sheltered beginnings as a prince through the moments that changed him—encountering suffering, leaving the palace, practicing mindful reflection, and finally spiritual awakening. This clear, respectful narrative presents the major episodes of the Buddha’s life (cultivation, the founding of the Buddhist sangha, and final Nirvana) in language that young listeners and early readers can grasp, while the artwork evokes the historical and cultural setting without oversimplification. 

Teachers and parents will appreciate its historical accuracy and its simple introduction to key Buddhist ideas such as interdependence and impermanence, presented in a way that encourages curiosity.

Perfect for family reading, school units on world religions, or early explorations of ethical character and inner calm.

About this title

About the Author

Bhikshuni Jin Rou is a Buddhist nun and award-winning author of children's books. She goes under the pen names of Dana Green and Red Wing and is the founder of Instilling Goodness Books, inspired by the teachings of the Buddha. With a Master's degree in Buddhist Classics from Dharma Realm University and a certificate in Children's Writing from the University of Washington, she is committed to educating and inspiring young readers to connect with their spiritual nature.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

As the morning star appeared in the sky, Siddhartha opened his eyes and looked at the world through the eyes of a Buddha. He was perfect in wisdom and compassion. He had found the Path that leads beyond all the suff erings and diffi culties of this world. “Wonder of wonders!” he said. “All living beings have the Buddha nature and can become Buddhas. Th ey only have to follow the Path that I have taken. I will show them the Way.” And on that glorious morning with its glorious light, both gods and humans rejoiced. Dry rivers fl owed with water and fl owers bloomed out of season. Musical instruments played by themselves and people stopped quarreling. White light fl ooded the entire universe and a sweet fragrance fi lled the air for miles around. Bathed in the brilliant light of ever-changing colors— now blue, now orange, now green, now pink— Siddhartha, the Buddha sat in perfect peace. His hair curled to the right and a fl esh mound appeared on top of his head, emitting rays of light into the world. And a soft breeze lifted the leaves of the fi g tree, now called the Bodhi tree. Once again, Mara appeared and said, “O Prince! You, who have wasted your life in pleasure and in senseless pain, who will believe that you are enlightened?” Th e seated Buddha touched the ground with his right hand. Th e earth thundered, “I, the earth, am his witness.”

Edition details

• Publisher: Buddhist Text Translation Society
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0881393193
• ISBN 13: 9780881393194
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Bhikshuni Heng Fa
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 64