Customer Reviews

The Buddha and the Terrorist

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book took me about half an hour to read, and in that time I was charmed, moved to teariness, and called to action. Mr. Kumar brings gentleness and clarity to the well-worn story of Angulimala, making its relevance very clear in today's "us vs. them" world.

At times Mr. Kumar makes it a little *too* obvious (I believe one person wanting revenge says that the Buddha "is either with us or against us") but all of his points are well taken. It is an enjoyable and quite moving read.

Also, because this little gem of a book plays a bit fast and loose with the timelines of the Buddha's teachings -- many things he said either earlier or later are included here to give an idea of the depth and breadth of the Dhamma -- one shouldn't read this as any kind of fictional historical reconstruction like Old Path, White Clouds. Instead, one should read it for what it is: A reminder of the Buddha's words on nonviolence and a call for all of us, whether his followers or not, to embrace the gentle middle way.

Buy this book for the parable, which is well-crafted and lightly sprinkled with Buddhist "tenets," but not enough to be heavy-handed.

I enjoyed the story, but the foreword alone is worth the purchase. It is succinct and the most pertinent exposition on violence and terrorism I have heard/read. Thomas Moore's foreword should be printed and handed out to every American. Violence and terrorism, and their counterparts of peace and reconciliation, are not issues for democrats or republicans, atheists or religious people. These issues are about struggles inside every human, both now, and thousands of years ago.

A centerpiece story of Buddhist philposophy is re-told in this book (though the cover comment by Deepak indicates that this is a well-written book, it is misleading. It is not an original story). Anyone familiar with Eastern philosophy will be familiar with at least some version of this parable, and for those readers, this book doesnt add any particular value. For those unfamiliar with the Buddhist way of thought, this one is a good example of how the Buddhist philosophy deals with the issue of revenge, violence and forgiveness. Presumably, the prologue of the book tries to position the book in the context of the ongoing war(s). (the reader shouldn't be put off by the number of pages indicated - this is almost a pocket sized book). A great parable re-told.

The first reviewer would have done potential readers a greater service if s/he actually read the book. Perhaps s/he could have even learned something about hatred begetting hatred and how we can each stop that cycle in our own lives.

This small book is a retelling of the old Buddhist parable of Angulimala. Angulimala goes around killing people and cutting their fingers off to wear on a necklace. He wanders one day into the grove where the Buddha is living in hermitage. The Buddha does not fear the killer, but instead, the Buddha talks with him and shows him compassion and unconditional love. Angulimala questions his violent and hateful ways and gives up killing to go live and study with the Buddha. It is a story about violence, about suffering, about compassion, about making choices so that we may live peacefully. It is a story about the ability to change, about opening to our own capacity to love and be loved, about acknowledging our power to destroy but chosing to create instead. It is a lovely tale, relevant to the world today, and one that each of us could benefit from reading by studying the multiple layers of meaning and integrating its lessons into our lives.

I was moved by Chapter 4, "Spiritual Simplicity," in which the character Nandini appeals to Buddha: "My mind keeps jumping around like a monkey. Tell me, my friend, should I be putting great effort into concentrating the mind or just let it wander?" Nandini grapples with the distractions of common attachments and the challenge of residing in the present moment. She struggles with personal failure, remorse, and metaphysical curiosities, to which the Buddha responds succinctly and compassionately in ways that relate to all of us. Basic spiritual reminders about the meaning of death and particularity: "I am the universe itself. Life is a flow of energy: it takes a form and then dissolves... there is no point in being attached to a changing form. Be the wave, and know that you are part of the great ocean of existence." Admittedly, the lesson in non-violence is hypersimplified and takes a predictable course, but who's to say what it's going to take to re-educate this eye-for-an-eye generation of Americans. Brief, accessible, and printed on high-quality paper with a gorgeous cover design by Anne Winslow, this book would make a nice gift as an accompaniment to the Tao Te Ching.

This spiritual story is taught many ways in many publications, but it speaks with greater authority because it does not condemn anyone.

This is a beautiful book of a story that I had heard in my childhood.
Although the basic story hasn't changed, this renarration and the fact that I am reading it again as an adult make me see things so much differently. It made me think about world conflicts differently as well as revisit personal experiences from a new perspective.

A simple story but a profound book to read, gift and spread around. Don't expect many words of wisdom or a profound teaching from the author. I think its kind of like an instrument that helps you question and find your own truth. I believe this book should be beyond the bounds of any regious or phillosophical beliefs. I am sure there is a story this for every faith which may or may not have been retold for the modern practical audience.

This little gem is a quick read but will speak to that voice in your head that argues "Why can't we all just get along?"

Easily read in an hour. A pleasant recap of the famous story of Angulimala, the murderer with the fingerbone necklace, and his conversion to nonviolence and the Buddhist path by the Buddha himself. I can't say that I learned anything new about violence or Buddhism, but it was a pleasant hour.

Excellent and easy to read about the spiritual need to forgive others, including forgiving the rapist. Yes, my client was raped and was so filled with hatred but she was only destroying herself. This book helped her to let go, although it wasn't easy.

Frank
LCSW