Introduction

This chapter provides an overview of the teaching of the Buddha. The genealogy of the Pali Canon raises obvious concerns about its accuracy as an account of what the Buddha actually taught. The Life of the Buddha One entree into the teaching of the Buddha is the traditional representation of his life. Buddhist traditions as well as contemporary scholars generally agree that the Buddha lived in the vicinity of the Ganges River basin in the northeastern area of present-day India. An interesting feature of the traditional story is that, immediately after his enlightenment, the Buddha was momentarily perplexed about what to do and needed some guidance. But then the Brahm Sahampati appeared and convinced the Buddha that some persons would understand his teaching. The Buddha's life, as represented in the tradition, is most plausibly regarded, less as a factual record of events, and more as a statement of the Buddha's teaching.