"I thought I knew the story of the Buddha until I read Leza Lowitz's wonderfully clear and radiant new book. This is a book of new revelations, ancient tales, and great reminders about what it means to live a more awakened life. Drink in the light dear reader and let these words and stories become you, and by doing so, you too may become a more awakened one! "—Albert Flynn DeSilver, author of Writing as a Path to Awakening: A Year to Becoming an Excellent Writer & Living an Awakened Life

"What a perfect introduction to the world of Buddhism. I read this book with my 10-year-old daughter and she was transfixed. We both were. Beautiful seeds were planted in her young mind as we read. Thank you, Leza Lowitz, for the precious and powerful gift of The Prince who Became the Light."—Reema Datta, founder of Yatri Yoga and co-author of Sacred Sanskrit Words

"Albert Einstein believed that “…If there is any religion that could respond to the needs of modern science, it would be Buddhism.” Yet the tenants of this philosophical and religious tradition are startlingly simple, as this beautifully elemental primer by Leza Lowitz makes clear. Tracing the life of Siddhartha as he grapples with mortal pain and suffering until he gains enlightenment under the Bodhi tree to earn the name Buddha, tames a wild elephant, subdues a fierce robber, gathers many disciples, and ultimately achieves nirvana, Lowitz distills his teachings into keen, concise, lucid vignettes for children and adults alike. The Prince who Became the Light: The Life of the Buddha is a resonant and historically accurate instruction manual on how to awaken to our own luminous true natures.” —Dr. Ravi Shankar, Pushcart Prize-winning author of 15 books, including Correctional

"Leza Lowitz’s fresh, inspiring account of the Buddha’s life and teachings is a joy. This lovely book reaffirms the vital importance of kindness, compassion, courage, and authenticity on the journey to inner and outer transformation."
—Ann Tashi Slater

"As the world becomes smaller and more fragmented, we need guidance to focus on what is really important for our individual selves and humankind. Many have found Buddhism to be the way. Buddhism is not only a religion but a practice and a philosophy—with a human story behind it. Like most human stories, it involves a journey and a transformation. In simple, poetic language, Leza Lowitz relates how Siddhartha became the Buddha and continued to evolve. This beautiful volume about the foundations of Buddhism is a treasure for our times and will appeal to seasoned practitioners and spiritual seekers of all ages." —Patricia Chao, Author of Monkey King and Mambo Peligroso

About the Author: Leza Lowitz has published 20 books, including many best-sellers. Her most recent is Up from the Sea, a YA novel from Crown Books for Young Readers. She's received the PEN Josephine Miles Poetry Award, a PEN Syndicated Fiction Award, grants from the NEA and NEH, the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Award, and the 2014 APALA Award in Youth Literature. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times,Yoga Journal, the Huffington Post, Shambhala Sun, Best Buddhist Writing. She is an internationally renown yoga and mindfulness teacher who owns a popular yoga studio in Tokyo (Sun and Moon Yoga, est. 2003). She teaches yoga and mindfulness worldwide.