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64 EASTERN HORIZON | BOOK BRIEFS

S
IN
BRIEF
BOOK REVIEW BY GARY GACH
BOOK

Trained in oral and written lineages in Cambodia, the
author presents a carefully curated range of poems
from the seventeenth to twentieth centuries that
capture the transformative wisdom of the Khmer
Buddhist tradition. Many of the poems, having been
transcribed from old cassette tapes or fragile bark-
paper manuscripts, are printed here for the first
time. A link to recordings of selected songs in English
and Khmer accompanies the book. These frank and
Trent Walker, Until Nirvana’s Time. Buddhist Songs compelling poems offer mirrors to our own lives—even
as they challenge Buddhist conventions of how to die,
from Cambodia. USA: Shambhala. 2022. pp 337.
how to grieve, and how to repay the ones we love. This
US$21.95
is indeed a very unique Buddhist tradition, accessible in
www.shambhala.com
English for the first time, thanks to Trent.

Trent Walker’s translations of forty-five Cambodian
Part 2 of the book comprises four essays about the
Dharma songs, with contextualizing essays and a link
world of Cambodian Buddhism, the ritual of Dharma
to audio of stunning vocal performances is the first
songs, oral and written transmission, and meter, melody,
collection of traditional Cambodian Buddhist literature
and rhyme.
available in English. The Dharma songs in this book
reveal a distinctive Southeast Asian genre of devotion, Readers will also be impressed by a very lovely
mourning, and contemplation. Their soaring melodies Foreword by Prof Kate Crosby of Oxford University
have inspired Cambodians for generations, whether in that comprises a beautiful poem in 12 verses in deep
daily prayers or all-night rituals. appreciation of Trent’s wonderful translation of
Cambodian Buddhist literature into English. EH