Si Cacing dan Kotoran Kesayangannya

by Ajahn Brahm

Buku ini berisi 108 kisah yang ingin di-share oleh Ajahn Brahm, seorang biksu kelahiran London, yang menghabiskan 30-an tahun sebagai petapa di belantara Thailand. Sesuai dengan judul aslinya; Opening the Door of Your Heart, kisah-kisah dalam buku ini sangat inspiratif dan mampu membuka pintu hati kita.

Genres: Nonfiction, Buddhism, Self Help, Philosophy, Spirituality, Religion, Short Stories

307 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2005

About the author

Ajahn Brahmavamso Mahathera (lovingly known to most as Ajahn Brahm) was born Peter Betts in London, United Kingdom in August 7, 1951. He came from a working-class background, and won a scholarship to study Theoretical Physics at Cambridge University in the late 1960s. After graduating from Cambridge he taught in high school for one year before travelling to Thailand to become a monk and train with the Venerable Ajahn Chah Bodhinyana Mahathera.

Whilst still in his years as a junior monk, he was asked to undertake the compilation of an English-language guide to the Buddhist monastic code - the Vinaya - which later became the basis for monastic discipline in many Theravadan monasteries in Western countries.

Reviews

[S.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

After listening to a talk by Ajahn Brahm when he visited Singapore many years ago, I was so impressed by his delivery that I bought “Opening the Door of Your Heart” on impulse. Before this, I had never read a book with spiritual content. What surprised me after I finished this book was that you did not have to be a Buddhist to enjoy the book. In fact, in the short anecdote on “What’s in a name?”, Ajahn Brahm spelled his name as such:

B – for Buddhist
R – for Roman Catholic
A – for Anglican
H – for Hindu
M – for Muslim

“Opening the Door of your Heart” is a collection of short stories accumulated by Ajahn Brahm over his 30 years living as a monk in the forest tradition of Theravada Buddhism. You will find funny stories, as well as those that tug on your heartstrings, but all these stories impart lessons on mindfulness, wisdom, love and compassion.

The story that had the greatest impact on me was “Two Bad Bricks”. It told of Ajahn Brahm’s experience in building their first monastery because the monks then were too poor to hire help. He taught himself to lay concrete and bricks and erect a roof. When he completed his first brick wall, he noticed that he had missed two bricks – that is, they were inclined at an angle while the others were all perfectly laid; he felt that these two bad bricks had ruined the whole wall. After that, whenever he showed visitors around the completed monastery, he would avoid taking them past this brick wall. One day, a visitor happened to see the wall and commented that it was nice. Ajahn Brahm pointed out the two bad bricks, telling the visitor of how these bricks spoiled the whole wall. This is what Ajahn Brahm wrote :

‘What he said next changed my whole view of that wall, of myself, and of many other aspects of life. He said, “Yes. I can see those two bad bricks. But I can also see the 998 good bricks.”’

That simple paragraph changed my whole view of myself and my life as well. At the time when I read this, my two daughters were still quite young. All I could see were their faults – their untidiness, carelessness in their schoolwork, their inattentiveness when studying, selective listening skills etc etc. I realised there and then that I had also taken a lot of good things for granted – my daughters' good health, their desire to perform well to make me happy, their good manners and respect for elders, their frequent displays of love and affection (in the form of hugs and kisses and self-made cards and other craftwork as presents). Now, I remind myself of this story whenever I become unreasonably critical, not only with my family members, but also with myself. There are so many good bricks, if only we bother to open our eyes and see them!

I have read this whole book at least 2 times and I still refer to relevant sections now and then to help me get the right perspective on things whenever I need to deal with problems or negative emotions. From these collection of stories, I have learned much about love and commitment, anger and forgiveness, compassion, humility and letting go; in short, learning to be happier in life.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't praise this book highly enough. Firstly, let me say I have no interest in pursuing Buddhism (or any other religion), and I am also not the type to be found in the "self-help" section. But this book is a thing of absolute beauty. On the two occasions I've read through it - firstly whilst going through a messy breakup in 2008, and again recently whilst confronted with a different flavour of awful - different stories have jumped out at me and helped me find peace. Reading it really is like having a calm, endlessly patient and understanding friend in the room, and I never say this, but I actually would recommend this to everyone. Yes, everyone.

[Vui Lên · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nhiều câu chuyện hay, sâu sắc và mang tính chất thiền cao.

Tâm trí trong cuốn này cũng được mô tả đơn giản, nhẹ nhàng và dễ thấm hơn nhiều so với "tâm trí" mà Krishnamurti nói tới.

Là một lựa chọn phù hợp cho những bạn muốn bắt đầu đi vào triết học, phật học.

[Iantony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book prior my birthday and finished it after my birthday! I rarely read a self-help or philosophy book that I want to reread in the future or I put on my favorite book list, until I read this wonderful book.

First thing first, you have to be open minded to really get the gist of this book. Yes, it is written by a Buddhist monk, but all the insights from this book could apply to many aspects of your life regardless of your beliefs.

For an underachiever or people with lack of motivation like me, I find this book especially useful and helpful, thus I would recommend it to all of you. Give this book a try!

[Booklunatic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was für ein tolles, tolles, tolles Buch, aus dem man soviel mitnehmen kann. Ich jedenfalls. Das bleibt definitiv für immer im Regal.

[Katja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me tell you a story: once there was a little frog who went to see a Buddhist monk-ey speak at an amphibian university. The frog had great expectations, for its little heart was open and it had much respect for the enlightened monk-ey. For the most part it was a fine speech – the monkey advocated such wonderful virtues as peace and compassion. The frog certainly felt, by the end, that it understood and appreciated Buddhism much better than she had before. Then the monkey went on to speak about a man who cruelly peed on a tree he’d cut down and then he got a urinary tract infection so NATURE GAVE HIM A UTI FOR BEING MEAN, that’ll teach the man for being a bastard. The frog nearly burst out laughing then and there, almost ruining the sombre tone of the crowded lilypad. The monkey also gave a pretty appalling answer to a question a giraffe asked about her son’s videogame addiction, and the frog was surprised by that. But then the frog realised, of course the monk-ey doesn’t know the ins and outs of videogame addiction - he lives in a forest! How is he supposed to know? The frog went back to her pond and wrote a book review. The moral of the story is – sometimes stories don’t have morals, they’re just stories.

Ever since then, I have been torn about Brahm. On the one hand, he does have many pithy things to say on a range of issues. On the other hand, his insight into many problems of the modern world is limited, because he’s not really part of it. And apparently being a Buddhist doesn’t prevent you falling prey to many pseudo-scientific and logical fallacies. For example, the introduction to his book contains a story about a woman who had crippling depression, anxiety and pretty much everything else, and who’d had many years of therapy and medications before she found his book; then she read it and got better. Hence, Brahm concludes – his book was the only thing that helped. Instead of considering the possibility (which may not be the case, but it certainly could be) that those years of therapy and medication may have done valuable groundwork in getting her to a place where she could accept his insights and act on them, he chooses the road well-travelled by many gurus before him - “look how amazing I am, only I could help”. I wouldn’t have expected this kind of ego-stroking from a Buddhist that has supposedly devoted his life to wisdom and humility. I felt a seed of doubt growing as to whether Brahm was actually as supremely wise as I’d previously thought.

Eventually I went back to the book and guess what? I couldn’t read it any more. I started getting angry at every spurious connection he made and couldn’t focus on the core message that was being put across. Where did this anger come from? Maybe I felt disappointed, cheated even. My image of the enlightened, peace-radiating monk that the book inspired was crumpled by this nice but not very impressive fellow who thinks that urinating on trees gives you karmic infections. (Why does religion always seem so determined to oppose itself to basic logic and medical facts? Come on Buddhists, you can do better.) It is now sitting on my bedside table waiting for me to make peace with it again. For me at least, the book would have been more accurate had it been titled “Opening the Door of Your Heart, Then Closing it Most of the Way, With the Possibility of Re-Opening it at Some Future Point”.

But at the risk of only seeing the “two bad bricks”, I must say that many of the stories are wonderful, wise, and really do have the ability to change your attitude to life/pain/anger/relationships/forgiveness in a meaningful way. Because of their abstract nature, the short tales and anecdotes sneak up on you and take you delightfully by surprise. Ultimately, it’s definitely worth reading. You don’t have to like all the stories - some are silly and some endorse perspectives I wouldn’t advocate - but if only one or two good ones grasp you and make you think, then it’s all been worth it.

[Emiliya Bozhilova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Четох я преди доста години - нещо като “будизъм за идиоти”. Аджан Брам, дипломиран физик и будистки монах, има чувство за хумор и доста интелект. Много разведряващ прочит беше.

”Пътеводител към душевния мир за идиоти

Повечето хора в Австралия имат градина около къщата си, но малцина знаят как да намерят покой в нея. За останалите градината е просто още едно място, изискващо работа. Ето защо аз насърчавам хората, които имат градина, да поддържат красотата й, като работят известно време, но също и да подхранват сърцето си, като поседят мирно и тихо, наслаждавайки се на даровете на природата.

Първият идиот намира идеята за страхотна. Затова решава да свърши най-напред всички дребни задачи, а после да си даде няколко минути покой в градината. В края на краищата моравата наистина се нуждае от косене, на цветята ще им дойде добре поливането, листата трябва да се съберат, храстите — да се подрежат, алеите — да се пометат… Разбира се, това ангажира цялото му свободно време, а „дребните задачи“ не са и наполовина приключени. За този човек работата никога не свършва, затова той никога не получава своите няколко минути покой. Забелязали ли сте, че в нашата култура единствените хора, които „почиват в мир“, са в гробището?

Вторият идиот си мисли, че е много по-умен от първия. Той прибира греблата и лейките и сяда в градината със списание, най-вероятно някое с лъскава корица. Но онова, което му носи наслаждение, е списанието, а не покоят в градината.

Третият идиот прибира градинарските инструменти, списанията, вестниците, спира радиото и просто сяда в покоя на градината… за около две секунди! После започва да мисли: „Тази морава наистина има нужда от косене. Онези храсти скоро трябва да се подрежат. Ако не полея цветята до няколко дни, ще умрат. Една хубава гардения ще стои добре в онзи ъгъл. Да! С едно от онези декоративни басейнчета за птици пред нея. Мога да взема едно от разсадника…“ Това е наслаждение от мисленето и планирането — тук няма място за душевен покой.

Умният градинар разсъждава така: „Работих достатъчно и сега е време да се порадвам на резултатите, да се вслушам в тишината. Затова, въпреки че моравата се нуждае от косене, листата — от събиране, и т.н., и т.н. — НЕ СЕГА“. Ето как откриваме мъдростта да се насладим на градината, дори да не е съвършена.
...
Интелигентният градинар се наслаждава на своите петнайсет минути покой в съвършеното несъвършенство на природата, без да мисли, без да планира и без да се чувства виновен.”

[Adri ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mislila sam da ne volim ovakve knjige i jako sam se prevarila. Slobodno mogu reći da su mi sve priče iz ove knjige otvorile oči na mnogo polja. Koliko je bitna jednostavnost i koliko su komplikovani životni problemi ustvari izuzetno prosti ako ih posmatramo na pravi način 💜

[Dilushani Jayalath · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book read which was written by Ajahn brahm Thero. Superb. Brings a sort of inner calm within yourself after reading. Not a single boring word. Altogether funny and full of advice.

[Hendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Banyak mendengar dan membaca review tentang buku yg satu ini dari teman maupun internet, awalnya yg terpikir adalah, "masak sih sampe segitunya..??"
Akhirnya jadi beli juga dan mulai membaca kira2 seminggu yg lalu, dan ternyata ASTAGA...!!! Bahkan semua review yg pernah saya baca terkesan underrated terhadap buku ini...!!

Sebuah buku yang luar biasa, ceritanya sangat manusiawi tapi juga mencerahkan. Banyak kejadian yang diceritakan sebetulnya pernah juga saya (dan saya yakin anda juga) alami tapi kemampuan melihat "sesuatu" di balik peristiwa2 tsb dan menjadikannya kisah yang menginspirasi tanpa menggurui sungguh patut diacungi jempol...!!! Walaupun ditulis oleh seorang bikkhu tapi setiap ceritanya melewati batas agama, bisa diterima oleh semua orang.

Sangat tidak rugi mengeluarkan uang utk buku ini dan bahkan saya akan menyarankannya ke setiap family atau kenalan saya....
Terima kasih, Ajahn Brahm.... terima kasih.........

[Skaistė Girtienė · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nuostabios 108 istorijos, kupinos išminties, jumoro, gyvenimo. Tiesiog nekyla ranka duoti mažiau, nei pirmai autoriaus skaitytai knygai. Verta perskaityti kiekvienam, o perskaičius prisiminti. Ar net atsiversti vėl ir vėl.

[Meiliana Kan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aku menemukan audiobook buku ini di aplikasi Storytel dan ternyata isinya sangat insightful. Salah satu cerita yang paling berkesan adalah cerita tentang pupuk kandang. Pupuk kandang bisa diibaratkan sebagai trauma, masalah hidup, dan hal-hal tidak menyenangkan yang terjadi dalam hidup kita. Kita bisa saja membawa-bawa pupuk kandang itu ke mana-mana, tapi kotoran dan bau yang melekat akan membuat semua orang, bahkan orang terdekat kita sekai pun, menjauhi kita. Selain itu, ada cara lain. Kita bisa membawa gerobak dan memasukan pupuk kandang itu ke gerobak lalu mengangkutnya ke halaman belakang rumah kita dan menimbun pupuk kandang itu di sana. Ajahn Brahm berkata kalau bisa saja kita memerlukan waktu bertahun-tahun untuk bolak balik mengangkut dan menimbum pupuk kandang itu, tapi hari di mana semua pupuk kandang itu habis tertimbun tak bersisa pun akan datang. Dan saat itu pula kita akan melihat bahwa dari tanah tempat kita menimbun pupuk kandang itu tumbuh bunga-bunga cantik dan pohon-pohon berbuah lebat. Harum bunga-bunga itu bissa sampai ke rumah tetangga dan buah dari pohon-pohon itu bisa kita bagikan ke banyak orang, bahkan orang-orang yang tidak kita kenal sekalipun. Dari cerita ini aku belajar bahwa jika trauma, masalah hidup, dan hal-hal tak menyenangkan bisa kita proses dengan baik, kita bisa menjadi pribadi yang cantik seperti taman belakang rumah yang pada akhirnya ditumbuhi bunga dan pohon berbuah lebat dan kita juga bisa lebih mudah berbagi kasih dan kebaikan kepada orang lain, bahkan kepada orang yang tidak kita kenal sekalipun.

Cerita lain datang dari nasehat guru Ajahn Brahm, yaitu Ajahn Chah. Sebagai Biksu, Ajahn Brahm sering mendengar curhatan orang-orang tentang berbagai masalah hidup, maka Beliau perlu menjadi tempat sampah untuk menampung "sampah-sampah" itu. Ajahn Chah berpesan bahwa para Biksu perlu menjadi tempat sampah yang dasarnya bolong agar "sampah-sampah" yang masuk tidak mengendap dan membuat mereka merasa depresi. Mendengar cerita ini, aku seolah mendapat pencerahan. Aku adalah orang yang super sensitif dan setiap kali mendengar curhatan orang lain atau bahkan mendengar berita sedih pun aku bisa langsung merasa down. Terakhir kali aku sampai menangis berhari-hari setelah temanku curhat karena merasa ikutan sedih dan marah mendengar ceritanya. Nampaknya aku perlu belajar untuk menjadi tempat sampah yang dasarnya bolong juga agar aku tidak mudah merasa down seperti itu.

Pandangan Ajahn Brahm tentang kematian pun menarik bagiku. Beliau bilang kalau Beliau tidak pernah merasa sedih saat menghadapi kematian, termasuk kematian ayahnya. Mengapa begitu? Beliau kemudian bercerita ketika ia menghadiri acara konser saat masih muda. Saat itu ia sangat menikmati konser itu dan begitu konsernya berakhir Beliau tau kalau Beliau tidk akan bertemu dengan grup band itu lagi tapi Beliau merasa sangat puas karena sudah menikmati waktu bersama mereka. Ajahn Brahm memandang kematian seperti perpisahan sehabis konser. Saat kematian ayahnya, Beliau tidak merasa sedih karena Beliau sangat menikmati saat-saat bersama ayahnya. Pandangan Ajahn Brahm ini sangat berkebalikan denganku yang sangat takut menghadapi kehilangan, terutama kehilangan karena kematian, karena aku berfokus pada hal yang telah direnggut dariku bukan berfokus pada hal yang sudah aku dapatkan dan aku nikmati. Hmm.. Lagi-lagi setelah mendengan ceritanya itu aku terdiam dan merenung lama.

Secara keseluruhan, aku sangat menyukai buku ini. Aku menemukan banyak kisah yang memberiku banyak pelajaran hidup. Kenapa pula aku selalu menunda untuk membaca buku ini padahal aku sering melihatnya di toko buku. Mungkin sama seperti si cacing, aku juga masih senang berkubang dalam "kotoran" dan giliran diajak "pergi ke surga" aku tidak mau. Setelah ini aku mau lanjut mendengarkan buku keduanya.

[Sacha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Die Kuh, die weinte von Ajahn Brahm

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3*)

Leider war ich von diesem Buch von Ajahn Brahm enttäuscht. Die grundsätzlichen Botschaften hinter den Geschichten sind mir klar und machen auch Sinn. Einige der besseren Geschichten aus diesem Buch, wurden auch in unserem Meditations-Kurs (MBSR) verwendet. Aber die meisten Geschichten waren leider so gar nicht meins. Der Humor war teilweise sehr kindisch, verwirrend oder einfach nicht lustig. Und das alles, obwohl ich „Der Elefant der das Glück vergass“ wirklich richtig toll fand. Vielleicht liegt es daran, dass dieses Buch eines der ersten von Brahm war, aber ich war im Vergleich zum anderen Buch komplett enttäuscht.

Aus meiner Sicht, würde ich eher „Der Elefant der das Glück vergass“ lesen, da diese Geschichten echt toll sind und ich einige davon auch immer wieder anderen Leuten erzähle oder mich für mich selbst daran erinnere. Dieses Buch hier kann ich leider nicht so recht empfehlen, ausser man möchte alles von Ajahn Brahm gelesen haben.

Zusatzbemerkung: Mir ist klar, wann dieses Buch erschienen ist, aber wenn jemand wie Ajahn Brahm während der SARS-Epidemie in Singapur vor 8'000 Leuten einen Vortrag hält, weil er der Meinung ist, dass „nur 99 Menschen von 4 Mio. in Singapur krank seien“, mutet das nach den letzten zwei Jahren zusätzlich seltsam an. Auch wenn das keineswegs der Grund für 3 Sterne ist.

[Madeleine Corfier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow erstmal vielen Dank meine Liebe💕❣️💜♥️❤️für diese wunderbare Buch Empfehlung… eine sehr berührende zauberhafte Sammlung von Geschichten zu verschriebene Themen (Perfektion , Liebe , Angst , Schmerz , Vergebung , Glück , Weisheit , innere Ruhe &&& auch Gedanken zu Freiheit , los lassen & dem Tod fand ich sehr interessant). Der author ist ein buddhistischer Mönch , er ist mit 16 nach Thailand ausgewandert & Mönch geworden & mittlerweile leitet er die buddhistische Gesellschaft von West Australien. Sehr beeindruckend & auch diese ganzen Geschichten die er erzählt & in denen er schwierige Themen betrachtet & ganz andere (Lösungs-)Ansätze zeigt … man kann viel darüber nach denken , man wird aber mit Hoffnung & Zuversicht bestärkt . Ein sehr starkes Buch , ich freue mich schon auf s nä von ihm…🥹🪷🙏🏼🌈❣️

[Q · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was gone too. That’s discouraging Ajhan Brahm is a terrivadan monk who lives in Australia.and has a wonderful creative sense of humor. and is able to take some of the teachings and make them really understandable the stories is a terrific book - my first of his.

[Kieu Trang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Đọc quyển này tình cờ nhờ sự gt của bạn Thị Lệ Gạo Đen, mới biết có 1 quyển sách về Phật pháp đơn giản mà sâu sắc, lại hài hước như vậy. Sẽ thỉnh thoảng đọc lại mỗi khi mất tinh thần.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sekalipun mengetahui dengan baik, bahaya dari segala kesenangan duniawi yang buruk ini, kita masih juga melekat erat padanya.”

Cerita tentang pengalaman hidup Ajhn Brahm ditambah pengalaman orang-orang yang ditemuinya, adalah apa yang tertulis di buku ini. Dengan humor dan penulisan yang tidak menggurui tapi sama-sama belajar, baca buku ini nggak seperti baca buku non-fiksi lainnya. Aku sangat enjoy dan nggak bisa berhenti baca.

Pelajaran tentang hidup dan bagaimana menjadi pribadi yang lebih berbahagia. I relate to so many things in this book, banyak pelajaran yang aku dapatkan. Yang paling ku ingat dan aku terapkan sekarang adalah bagaimana menghilangkan overthinking dan it’s okay to be sick.

Aku suka banget sama buku ini dan definitely akan baca buku kedua dan ketiga-nya.

[Livia Skodler · Rating 5 out of 5]

So ein gutes Buch, man kann aus den Geschichten so viel ins echte Leben übertragen und so viel daraus lernen.

[Eliks Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

Страхотна книга!
За пръв път чета книга за личностно развитие, написана по толкова достъпен, разбираем и дори забавен начин. Впечатлена съм! Притчите са поучителни и изцяло нови за мен.
Препоръчвам!

[♡ Tina K ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was good, but better book was Don't Worry, Be Grumpy. I found it funnier and more amusing.

[Jurga Jurgita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norėdama kažko gilaus, išmintingo, išsamaus ir įdomių istorijų savo sielai ir kūnui, nusprendžiau perskaityti šią knygą. Dirbdama knygyne dažnai iš skaitytojų girdėdavau, kad tai labai gražios, įdomios, savitos istorijos, kurias galime pritaikyti ir sau. Juk kažkada šios istorijos buvo taikytos kaip mokymo priemonės, kol jas sudėjus į vieną vietą - atsirado ši nuostabi knyga. Tai trisdešimt metų rinktos budistų vienuolio istorijos. Jo mokymo pagrindą sudaro budizmo pasakojimai apie laimę. Kai atrodo, kad viso pasaulio nelaimės užgriuvo būtent mus, kai apima liūdesys ir nepasitenkinimas pačiais savimi, Ajahnas Brahmas sako: mums trūksta tik sielos ramybės, skaidraus žvilgsnio ir sugebėjimo atverti savo širdį laimei. Tai istorijos, kurių herojais gali tapti kiekvienas iš mūsų - jei atversime savo širdį laimei. Esu tos nuomonės, kad tokioms, išminties pilnoms knygoms, turi ateiti laikas, kad perskaičius tokias istorijas, galėtum susimąstyti ir į viską gyvenime pažvelgti kitaip. Mano nuomone, tai ne tik puiki knyga sau, bet tuo pačiu ir puiki dovana artimam žmogui, draugui, o galbūt ir nepažįstamajam. Apibendrinat visą šią knygą, tiktų labai man patikusi citata iš šios knygos: "Mes visi turime dvi kreivas plytas, bet nepriekaištingų plytų kiekviename iš mūsų yra kur kas daugiau, šimtą kartų daugiau nei klaidų".

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opening the Door of Your Heart is a collection of Ajahn Brahms most memorable and interesting stories that tell important Buddhist lessons in a fun, interesting and relevant way. Brahm makes Buddhism accessible for everyone, especially for lay novices like myself.

I've been a listener of Ajahn Brahm's podcast for awhile now and I love his voice and style. I was a little leery to listen to this audiobook because it wasn't narrated by Brahm himself (he is so wonderful at telling his own stories). It took me a few stories before I warmed to the narrator (Greenslade), but after awhile he grew on me.

[Blythe Soper · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed most of the tales in this book until the point I had to put it down. That point happened upon the implication that if you’re getting beaten by your husband, as long as you forgive him every time he will become a changed man, make you a meditation stool and never lay a finger again. and you shouldn’t ignore a couple bad bricks for the sake of a good wall, even when getting physically abused. I drew the line and put the book down

[Casey Larue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book. It read beautifully and was just so fun. I love Ajahn Brahm, I found him through Youtube and he is simple amazing. He makes things easy to understand and just has fun. This book helps you find compassion and look at things from a different light! I loved it! It's a must read! All the short little stories are amazing and you can learn a great deal from each of them! :D

[Krishna Purii · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book this is.. It's surely among the ones I will treasure and read to my kids. The sad part is it's not easily available in India.. But if you do manage to get your hands on this one I'd say you'll enjoy it so much you may finish it in a day and read it again!

[Kathrin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manche Aspekte fand ich sehr interessant und sehr passend, andere hingehen haben mir gar nicht gefallen und möchte in dieser Form nicht denken.
Es war eine nette Lektüre, jedoch gefällt mir sein anderes Buch "Der Elefant, der das glück vergaß" besser.

[Lala Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Một chiếc sách mỏng nhẹ tập hợp những câu chuyện nhỏ dưới góc nhìn Phật giáo với chiếc vibe khá mới mẻ mà từ trước đến giờ mà mình được đọc, giọng văn của Ajahn Brahm khá hài hước, cho người đọc cái nhìn gần gũi, thư giãn nhưng vẫn thiết thực, rất đáng ngẫm nghĩ về những vấn đề của cuộc sống.

[Dada Vuk-Mil · Rating 4 out of 5]

... Price teku glatko, nadahnjuju ali mi treba mudrost jednog monaha da ih momentalno i primenim u zivotu. Do tad: " Mudrost nije učenost nego sposobnost da jasno vidimo ono čemu nas niko ne može naučiti." ...

[Katkoc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zbirka zgodbic, ki ti povejo, kako je treba živeti v sedanjem trenutku in se ne obremenjevati s preteklostjo ali prihodnostjo. Primerna je res za čisto vsakega, po možnosti večkrat :)

[Lana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Osim možda dvije priče, nijedna nije ostavila neki poseban dojam. Cijela knjiga djeluje banalno i nezanimljivo.