In Search of the Buddha

In Search of the Buddha -is a personal narrative of the author's experiences in tracking the pilgrimage route encompassing the most sacred sites hallowed by association with the historical Buddha's birth awakening preaching career mission and death. Swarna Wickremeratne is the author of the book Buddha in Sri Lanka published by the SUNY Press in 2006. She was educated firstly in Sri Lanka then in Oxford England and at Harvard spent most of her adult life as a student teacher librarian writer philanthropist as well as housewife. This work on Buddhist pilgrimage intended for average reader and pilgrim presents her reactions to what she experienced as a lay person going on pilgrimage in Dambadiva in search of experiences of the historical Buddha interpretations of her religious as well as mundane experiences at sacred Buddhist sites which of course now have become multifaceted in meaning. Her penetrating observations and experiences at the sacred sites and difficulties that pilgrims encounter in travelling in India and most importantly her reflections on what it means to be a practising Buddhist who is ever eager to attempt to have a glimpse of the Buddha's experiences. On many levels this is a penetrating reading for those who care to know what it means today to be a pilgrim visiting Buddhist sites in India Dr Mahinda Deegalle Bath Spa University UK