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60 EASTERN HORIZON | BOOKS IN BRIEF

BOOKS IN BRIEF BOOKS IN BRIEF

Wisdom Publications.
199 Elm Street, Somerville,
MA 02144, USA
www.wisdompubs.org

and ask him profound questions another and to the earth but also
pertaining to the highest goal. begin actively working together as
interdependent individuals to create a
The commentary, truly global society.
the Paramatthajotikā, relates the
background story to each sutta and The Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, is
explains each verse in detail. The uniquely positioned to guide us in this
volume includes numerous excerpts process. Drawing on years of intensive
from the Niddesa, an ancient Buddhist training and a passionate
The Sutta Nipāta. An Ancient commentary already included in the commitment to social issues, he
Collection of the Buddha’s Discourses Pāli Canon, which offers detailed teaches how we can move from a
Together with its Commentaries. expositions of each verse in the merely intellectual understanding to
Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi, 2017. pp Aṭṭhakavagga, the Pārāyanavagga, a fully lived experience of connection.
1612. US$75.00 and the Rhinoceros Horn Sutta. By first seeing, then feeling, and
Translator Bhikkhu Bodhi provides finally living these connections, we
The Suttanipāta, or “Group of an insightful, in-depth introduction, can become more effective agents of
Discourses” is a collection of a guide to the individual suttas, social and ethical change.
discourses ascribed to the Buddha extensive notes, a list of parallels to
that includes some of the most the discourses of the Suttanipatā, and The Karmapa shows us how gaining
popular suttas of the Pāli Canon, a list of the numerical sets mentioned emotional awareness of our
among them the Discourse on Loving- in the commentaries. EH connectedness can fundamentally
Kindness Sutta. The suttas are reshape the human race. He then
primarily in verse, though several guides us to action, showing step by
are in mixed prose and verse. step how we can change the way we
The Suttanipāta contains discourses use the earth’s resources and can
that extol the figure of the muni, continue to better our society. In
the illumined sage, who wanders clear language, the Karmapa draws
homeless completely detached connections between such seemingly
from the world. Other suttas, such far-flung issues as consumer culture,
as the Discourse on Downfall and loneliness, animal protection, and
the Discourse on Blessings, establish self-reliance. In the process, he helps
the foundations of Buddhist lay us move beyond theory to practice
ethics. The last two chapters—the Interconnected. Embracing Life in and positive social and ethical change.
Aṭṭhakavagga (Chapter of Octads) our Global Society. by The Karmapa, EH
and the Pārāyanavagga (The Way Ogyen Trinley Dorje, 2017. pp 248.
to the Beyond)—are considered to US$24.95
be among the most ancient parts of
the Pāli Canon. The Aṭṭhakavagga We have always been, and will always
advocates a critical attitude be, interconnected—through family,
toward views and doctrines. The community, and shared humanity.
Pārāyanavagga is a beautiful poem in As our planet changes and our world
which sixteen spiritual seekers travel grows smaller, it is vital we not only
across India to meet the Buddha recognize our connections to one