From Publishers Weekly
Morgan, who edited A Simple Monk: Writings on His Holiness the Dalai Lama last year, returns with the same successful formula of carefully selected writings, beautiful full-color art and a 10"x10" coffee-table format with this lovely art book. It is a biography of sorts, but it begins with fiction; the first major literary selection is an early chapter from Herman Hesse's novel Siddhartha. This imaginative choice feels appropriate, since readers are thereby allowed to enter viscerally into a life we know so little about. Morgan's collection is not a straightforward telling of a life (though an excerpt from Karen Armstrong's biography of the Buddha is included) so much as an impressionistic hodgepodge of primary and secondary sources. The primary materials include a sensitive sermon attributed to the Buddha concerning the Middle Way, selections from the Dhammapada and parables about enlightenment. The highlight of the secondary selections is a reprint of Kevin Sack's 1996 New York Times article called "Awaiting Execution, and Finding Buddha," about the only practicing Buddhist in the Arkansas prison system. It is through the story of this prisoner, who murdered his parents-in-law in 1984 and converted to Buddhism while on death row, that readers see most clearly the dynamism of the Buddha and his legacy. In addition to the book's rich textual offerings, it glories in Buddhist art, with full pages devoted to temples, shrines and depictions of seated and reclining Buddhas. Morgan's book is a feast for the eyes and the mind.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born in 563 B.C. on the border of India and Nepal. At age 29, he left his family and life of privilege behind to become a wandering ascetic in search of enlightenment. He studied meditation with many teachers, and after six years of seeking, became enlightened under a bodhi tree. In the 25 centuries since the Buddha lived, his teachings have spread across the globe, inspiring practitioners as well as writers both famous and obscure. This collective portrait gathers writings from contributors including Hermann Hesse, Jack Kerouac, Thich Nhat Hanh, Jack Kornfield, religious scholar Karen Armstrong, and death-row prisoner Kevin Sack, and intersperses them with 150 color photos depicting Buddhism around the world.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born in 563 B.C. on the border of India and Nepal. At age 29, he left his family and life of privilege behind to become a wandering ascetic in search of enlightenment. He studied meditation with many teachers, and after six years of seeking, became enlightened under a bodhi tree. In the 25 centuries since the Buddha lived, his teachings have spread across the globe, inspiring practitioners as well as writers both famous and obscure. This collective portrait gathers writings from contributors including Hermann Hesse, Jack Kerouac, Thich Nhat Hanh, Jack Kornfield, religious scholar Karen Armstrong, and death-row prisoner Kevin Sack, and intersperses them with 150 color photos depicting Buddhism around the world.

SYNOPSIS

This volume presents selected writings about the Buddha and the religion he inspired taken from literary classics by Hesse and Kerouac, reflections by great teachers such as Thich Nhat Hanh and Jack Kornfield, religious scholar Karen Armstrong, and a death-row prisoner's testimony as to how Buddhism changed his life. It also contains teachings from the Buddha's first sermon, stories of the Buddha, and more. Beautifully illustrated with color images of Buddhism around the world by photographer Glen Allison. Edited by Tom Morgan, author and book designer. Oversize: 10.25x10.25". Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Morgan, who edited A Simple Monk: Writings on His Holiness the Dalai Lama last year, returns with the same successful formula of carefully selected writings, beautiful full-color art and a 10"x10" coffee-table format with this lovely art book. It is a biography of sorts, but it begins with fiction; the first major literary selection is an early chapter from Herman Hesse's novel Siddhartha. This imaginative choice feels appropriate, since readers are thereby allowed to enter viscerally into a life we know so little about. Morgan's collection is not a straightforward telling of a life (though an excerpt from Karen Armstrong's biography of the Buddha is included) so much as an impressionistic hodgepodge of primary and secondary sources. The primary materials include a sensitive sermon attributed to the Buddha concerning the Middle Way, selections from the Dhammapada and parables about enlightenment. The highlight of the secondary selections is a reprint of Kevin Sack's 1996 New York Times article called "Awaiting Execution, and Finding Buddha," about the only practicing Buddhist in the Arkansas prison system. It is through the story of this prisoner, who murdered his parents-in-law in 1984 and converted to Buddhism while on death row, that readers see most clearly the dynamism of the Buddha and his legacy. In addition to the book's rich textual offerings, it glories in Buddhist art, with full pages devoted to temples, shrines and depictions of seated and reclining Buddhas. Morgan's book is a feast for the eyes and the mind. (Oct. 22) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Booknews