Janet Surrey, PhD and Samuel Shem, MD, PhD

The Buddha's Wife: The Path of Awakening Together

Princess Yasodhara's journey is one full of loss, grief, and suffering. But through it, she discovered her own enlightenment within the deep bonds of community and "ordinary" relationships. While traditional Buddhism emphasizes solitary mediation, Yasodhara's experience speaks of "The Path of Right Relation", of achieving awareness not alone but together with others.

The Buddha's Wife is comprised of two parts: the first part is a historical narrative of Yasodhara's fascinating story, and then the second part is a reader's companion filled with life lessons, practices, and reflections for the modern reader. Her story gives readers a relational path, one which speaks directly to our everyday lives and offers a doorway to profound spiritual maturation, awakening, and wisdom beyond the solitary, heroic journey.


Published: June 30, 2015
ISBN: 9781582704180
Pages: 320
Dimensions: 5 1/2 x 8 3/8 inches