The Still Point Dhammapada: Living the Buddha's Essential Teachings [Hardcover]

Geri Larkin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 25, 2003

The Dhammapada is much loved by Buddhist practitioners as a simple and straightforward rendition of some of Buddha's core teachings, and is read daily by thousands of people. While there are many translations available, few have an inclusive – and lyrical – sensibility. In studying various versions of this sacred text, Larkin noted many discrepancies and embarked upon an entirely original translation. Each instalment gets tested at the Still Point Zen Buddhist Temple in Detroit, a remarkable Zen centre in the heart of one of the roughest neighbourhoods in the country.

This small gift hardcover will have the appeal of the Thomas Byrom/Ram Dass edition, but will be made even more accessible with each chapter's introduction containing a powerful contemporary anecdote from the Still Point Temple community. This 'Downtown Dhammapada' will appeal not only to Buddhists, but to those who also appreciate beautifully rendered sacred texts as simply good reading.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Larkin has most wonderfully added her own insight and deepening experience to a new rendering...of the Dhammapada.” (-Stephen Levine, author of Who Dies? )

“This rendering ...is clean, contemporary, and, with the addition of her effective teaching stories, as real as it gets.” (Yoga Journal )

“...a gift that will keep on giving…[I] recommend it as an excellent companion for spiritual study and practice.” (-Lama Surya Das, author of Awakening the Buddha Within and Awakening the Buddhist Heart and founder of the Dzogchen Meditation Center )

“Check out Larkin’s Motor City Zen, and behind it all, you’ll see the wisdom of the Buddha.” (Spirituality and Health magazine )

About the Author

Geri Larkin gave up a successful career as a management consultant to become a Buddhist teacher. A practicing Buddhist since 1988, she completed seminary and was ordained in 1995. Four years later, she decided to start a Zen meditation center in the heart of inner-city Detroit. She is the author of Stumbling Toward Enlightenment, Building a Business the Buddhist Way, Tap Dancing in Zen, First You Shave Your Head, and The Still Point Dhammapada.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1 edition (March 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060513705
• ISBN-13: 978-0060513702
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #905,601 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Providing a haven for the world..., October 16, 2003

By 

Just Bill (Grand Rapids, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Still Point Dhammapada: Living the Buddha's Essential Teachings (Hardcover)

P'arang (the Buddhist name of author Geri Larkin) does what very few other writers are able to do these days: Write a compelling, sometimes humorous, always fiercely insightful book that's hard to put down.

In fact, I finished The Still Point Dhammapada: Living the Buddha's Essential Teachings in just two evenings -- and I'm sure I'll refer to it repeatedly in days to come.

The purpose of the book is two-fold: (1) It includes a very smooth-flowing, inclusive-language rendering of the Dhammapada, and (2) Interwoven with the Dhammapada is Ms. Larkin's observations about everything from what it's like to provide a haven for the folks in downtown Detroit, to daily struggles to abide by the Buddha's teachings to meetings with everyday (albeit fascinating) people.

P'arang's tone is always self-effacing, earthy and compassionate. Real. Sincere. She comes across as someone you'd like to chat with over a cup of tea.

For the record, I'm a Christian. Yet, I have recently become fascinated by Zen and have read many books on this ancient worldview. Why? Because I appreciate its philosophy of "mindfulness," which means to be fully awake and aware of life and to relish every minute, every thing, and every person along the way.

Zen is a simple worldview, yet it can be as deep and vast as you'd like it to be.

So it's no wonder I enjoyed Ms. Larkin's book so much. Her writing exemplifies what Zen has to offer.

If you're wondering how Zen Buddhists live their lives, you ought to consider reading The Still Point Dhammapada. It's one of the best books I've read on the subject -- although I don't think Ms. Larkin's goal was to write an apologetic for Buddhism. I think she just wanted to share her observations and comments about life as a Zen Buddhist teacher. Take 'em or leave 'em.

I took 'em. And really enjoyed The Still Point Dhammapada. I found it to be a wonderful peek into the world of Zen Buddhism from someone who knows it well. I highly recommend it -- along with The Still Point Zen Buddhist Temple web site.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shine One Corner, June 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Still Point Dhammapada: Living the Buddha's Essential Teachings (Hardcover)

Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike: read this book!! The Still Point Dhammapada is moving and wise - the translations of the Buddha's words are simple (in the best sense) yet, of course, profound. Equally compelling are the stories from the streets around the Still Point abbey and temple. There are lots of stereotypes about Detroit - and Larkin & co. add voice and vision so that readers can really get a feel for the life of the neighborhood and the practice of "guerilla kindness." But don't mistake this for some pollyanna-ish text; the stories are alternately heartbreaking, funny and gritty. Coupled with the verses from the dhammapada, they teach by showing.
This is a lovely book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Making "Buddhism" our own, May 3, 2004

By 

Algernon D'Ammassa (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Still Point Dhammapada: Living the Buddha's Essential Teachings (Hardcover)

A book like this is a window into a process. This is not an introduction to meditation practice itself (that territory is amply covered elsewhere) but a look at a young community of practitioners findings its way, and the Way, in 21st century Detroit.

This community worked together on an adapted translation of the <i>Dhammapada</i>, a much-beloved collection of sayings of the Buddha which provide day-to-day, moment-by-moment encouragement that it is possible to let go of greed, anger, and delusion, and live a life that lists to deep awareness and compassion like a current that carries an empty boat.

This is not merely a literary project, however. This version of the <i>Dhammapada</i>, which breathes with fresh language and terms easily acceptable to new students in the United States, comes to us through the personal practice of the members of this community, whom we get to know through the short, anecdotal chapters that follow each <i>canto</i> of the text. Ancient wisdom, and the bumpy business of everyday life, interact in something almost approximating parallel text.

So it is a window into a process, a process by which a new Zen community matures, and by which an American Buddhism is slowly taking form. How wonderful to find this tradition finding its roots in our soil.