Sugata Saurabha An Epic Poem from Nepal on the Life of the Buddha by Chittadhar Hridaya

The Sugata Saurabha is an epic poem that retells the story of the Buddha's life. It was published in 1947 in the Nepalese language, Newari, by Chittadhar Hridaya, one of the greatest literary figures of 20th-century Nepal. The text is remarkable for its comprehensiveness, artistry, and nuance. It covers the Buddha's life from birth to death and conveys his basic teachings with simple clarity. It is also of interest because, where the classical sources are silent, Hridaya inserts details of personal life and cultural context that are Nepalese. The effect is to humanize the founder and add the texture of real life. A third point of interest is the modernist perspective that underlies the author's manner of retelling this great spiritual narrative. This rendering, in a long line of accounts of the Buddha's life dating back almost 2,000 years, may be the last ever to be produced that conforms to the traditions of Indic classic poetry. It will not only appeal to scholars of Buddhism but will find use in courses that introduce students to the life of the Buddha. Contents......Page 8 Introduction......Page 12 Part I: Sugata Saurabha, by Chittadhar Hrdaya......Page 28 1. Lumbinī......Page 30 2. Family Tree......Page 39 3. Nativity......Page 59 4. Mother......Page 77 5. A Pleasant Childhood......Page 88 6. Education......Page 97 7. Marriage......Page 116 8. The Great Renunciation......Page 140 9.Yashodharā......Page 160 10. Attaining Enlightenment......Page 176 11. The Basic Teachings......Page 192 12. The Blessed One in Kapilavastu......Page 218 13. Handsome Nanda......Page 235 14. The Great Lay Disciple......Page 254 15. Twelve Years of Itinerant Preaching......Page 263 16. A Dispute over Water......Page 279 17. The Monastery Built by Vishākhā......Page 289 18. Devadatta’s Sacrilege......Page 303 19. Entry into Nirvāna......Page 325 Part II: Perspectives for Understanding Sugata Saurabha......Page 340 1. The Life of the Buddha: Previous Accounts in the Buddhist Textual Tradition......Page 342 2. The Kāvya Sanskrit Poetry Tradition and the Indic Aesthetic Tradition......Page 345 3. The Nepalese Context and Newar Cultural Traditions......Page 352 4. Chittadhar Hrdaya: A Literary Biography of His Formative Years......Page 358 5. Domestication of Newar Traditions in Sugata Saurabha as Those of the Ancient Shākyas......Page 363 6. The Modern Confluence of Buddhism in the Kathmandu Valley: Reformist Theravada and Traditional Mahāyanā......Page 368 7. Buddhist Doctrinal Emphases and Exposition......Page 379 8. The Spell of Idealizations and the Revitalization of Newar Civilization......Page 389 Bibliography......Page 402 D......Page 410 M......Page 411 S......Page 412 Y......Page 413 The 'sugata Saurabha' Is An Epic Poem That Retells The Story Of The Buddha's Life. It Was Published In 1947 In The Nepalese Language, Newari, By Chittadhar Hridaya, One Of The Greatest Literary Figures Of 20th Century Nepal. This Text Is A Translation Of The Poem. By Chittadhar Hṛdaya ; Translation By Todd T. Lewis, Subarna Man Tuladhar ; Introduction And Part Ii By Todd T. Lewis. Translated From Newari. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This rendering of the Sugata Saurabha, in a long line of accounts of the Buddha's life dating back almost 2,000 years, may be the last ever to be produced that conforms to the traditions of Indic classic poetry. It will not only appeal to scholars of Buddhism but will find use in courses that introduce students to the life of the Buddha.