Commentary/review

This could be one of the best books about Buddhism I have read (and I have read quite a number of them). It is not very easy to listen to; it sounds as if it had been published a while ago. The narration style is rather old-fashioned – which is strange, given the year of publication showing on the Storytel page (2014). Yet the contents of this audiobook are profoundly inspiring. The life of Buddha Shakyamuni is presented from the perspective of what he had gained and how he managed to do what he did in rather a lot of detail. Usually books and movies about the life of the founder of Buddhism concentrate on what he sacrificed and lost to reach ultimate liberation. Such a view is absent from this audiobook, thus giving a better perspective on the followers of Dharma and on Buddhism in general.

The book contains rudimentary introduction to Buddhist teachings, with some skillfully presented insights into the main concepts. It is not an academic work, nor is it a religious handbook. The book is definitely something to recommend both to the general public and to any adepts of meditation and mindfulness practice as it may lead them to a new perspective.

Again a good cover for academic material though the contents are not strictly academic this time. I do not mind it but it could be many times better.

Cover Photo by Raimond Klavins on Unsplash