Already I’m not keeping up with this reading challenge (link in sidebar to the right). I switched books, because one needed to go back to the library. I did start reading the new book, and it is fascinating-a blend of biographical, historical, and philosophical. In An End to Suffering by Pankaj Mishra(2004), the author journeys in search of Buddha, the man, and his teachings. He starts out as a freelance scholar, and I can tell by the tone that he finds much more than he expects-possibly a new direction in life.
The book I meant to read was David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. He’s not a favorite author, but I thought maybe I just needed to try a different book. I haven’t decided if I want to make it the February book. In any case, I will have to double up this month.
February 24th, 2008 at 2:18 am
I finished the book, and it was fascinating and enlightening. The author starts on his journey mostly documenting the history of the Buddha. After many years of historical study, the author sees a definite relationship between the suffering in the world and the increased pursuit of individual desires instead of working for common and local needs. There is also a correlation between the growth of communities and increased suffering.
I knew that approaching others with love and compassion was the basis of the Buddha’s philosophy. I did not know that he also proclaimed desire as being the root of all suffering-anger, hatred, frustration, fear,etc. He taught how to recognize and overcome thoughts based on selfish desires and showed that with practice (meditation) self-denial can become instinctual. I had been told previously that this was a Hindu practice. From reading the book I realize that some Hindu sects must have absorbed some of his teachings from sharing the same geographical region.
Learning more about the Buddha made me see how much like Christ he was in his actions and teachings.
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