Living Buddhism: Mind, Self, and Emotion in a Thai Community

by Julia Cassaniti

With a beautiful blend of stories, research, and her own field experience, Julia Cassaniti unlocks the secrets of creating calmness and the power of letting go. Living Buddhism is a must-read for everyone―expert and nonexpert alike―interested in how our cultures shape our emotional lives. ― Hazel Markus, Davis-Brack Professor in the Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, coauthor of Social Psychology In Living Buddhism , Julia Cassaniti explores Buddhist ideas of impermanence, nonattachment, and intention as they are translated into everyday practice in contemporary Thailand. Although most lay people find these philosophical concepts difficult to grasp, Cassaniti shows that people do in fact make an effort to comprehend them and integrate them as guides for their everyday lives. In doing so, she makes a convincing case that complex philosophical concepts are not the sole property of religious specialists and that ordinary lay Buddhists find in them a means for dealing with life’s difficulties. More broadly, the book speaks to the ways that culturally informed ideas are part of the psychological processes that we all use to make sense of the world around us. In an approachable first-person narrative style that combines interview and participant-observation material gathered over the course of two years in the community, Cassaniti shows how Buddhist ideas are understood, interrelated, and reinforced through secular and religious practices in everyday life. She compares the emotional experiences of Buddhist villagers with religious and cultural practices in a nearby Christian village. Living Buddhism highlights the importance of change, calmness (as captured in the Thai phrase jai yen, or a cool heart), and karma; Cassaniti’s narrative untangles the Thai villagers’ feelings and problems and the solutions they seek.

Genres: Nonfiction, Anthropology, Buddhism, Psychology

232 pages, Paperback

First published October 27, 2015

Reviews

[Laura Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hands down the best academic case study I've ever read. The author did a brilliant job articulating concepts of everyday Thai Buddhism in ways that were cohesive and coherent. Not to mention the way she was able to paint a written picture of her subjects that she befriended during her study. I'm very lucky to have found this book as it has reinvigorated my interest in academic reads for pleasure.

[Tamra Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely written - this is half-way between an academic paper and a memoir of the author's time in a Thai community. I think the reader needs to be a little bit of an anthropology nerd to enjoy reading it, though it also presents some nice expressions of what it means to be an everyday practicing Buddhist in a traditional Buddhist community.

[Clare Corson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really intimidated by this book because it was a reading for my Anthropology class, but it was very approachable and actually a super captivating read!

[Daniel Te · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was going to give this book a four star rating, but the last chapter really hooked me. While alone this was a great ethnographic study of a unique practice of Theravada Buddhism, the last chapter made it all come together so nicely; the ending is paramount, and all the themes just tied together so well. The crisis at the end Sen's hospitalization, which shows both some of the greatest strengths and glaring weaknesses of detachment that were building up throughout the book was incredibly well written. As a Western reader, it's incredibly interesting because the gut reaction that you would normally have is contrary to how the Thai villagers feel. The conclusion was also great, tying all the concepts in the book into current psychological studies on the conception of emotion and agency. This book just leaves so many questions that it's a shame that there's not more specific studies on Eastern or Buddhist cultures.

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read non-fiction when it's required. Like for an Anthropology 101 course that has 50 pages of reading a night.
Happily, this book was pretty interesting (a lot more than some of the articles my professor has had us read for class).
I still don't like non-fiction very much.
Plus, I'm bitter, because since I had to read this book for a grade, I haven't been able to read Les Mis or Mark of a Thief very much.

[Tahni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d give this book a 4.5/5 if I could. It’s definitely not something that I would’ve read by my own free will (I had to read it for my anthropology class) but it was still super interesting to read. I learned a lot, became much more interested in Buddhism, and enjoyed the personal stories of the family that Julia resided with in the Thai community. It’s always interesting to be able to see the world through someone else’s cultural lense, and this book was a prime example of that.

[Anna McIllece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful dive into a Thai Buddhist community and family. I loved learning about concepts like tham jai, anicca, ploy, and jai yen, especially in the context of emotional intelligence and conflict resolution. Western psychology and social spheres would definitely benefit from some of these beautiful and complex beliefs, and the power they have to heal communities through small habits/ changes. Super easy going read and well written.

[Amy T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't read it as an assignment, but for fun, for my own knowledge. I especially learned much about letting go, jai yen (cool Heart - staying calm, cool and collected) tam jai (making the heart - acceptance). The role of women in society was eye opening, as was the discussion on feelings and emotions. Worth a read by anyone interested in This village culture. Kap khun ka, Ms. Cassaniti!

[Chloe Bray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. It enhanced and added to my spirituality as a non-Buddhist. Explores very interesting practices and principles of the Buddhist religion. Written very well and in a way that is compelling for non-Buddhists.

[Duzclues · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t go into this book with very high expectations, this being assigned reading for a class. But this book was one of the most moving I’ve ever read, and I’m therefore glad I read it. Would highly recommend. Two thumbs up.

[Margaret Wang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well structured and an unbelievably happy ending!

[Sabrina McBroom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is excellently written and the author achieved her goal of making me reconsider my own internal emotions and how I process things compared to Buddhist attitudes. Everyone should read this book!

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the non-traditional approach this book took to show Buddhist lifestyle and how ideas can take opposing standpoints within religions

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked some of the ideas in this book - it was a good anthropological look at this Thai community

[Devin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has had more impact on me than any other ethnography I’ve read. It’s not a self-help book, but years later I find it still informs how I myself think about feelings. Even in its scrutiny of modern psychology, it is never dismissive.

[David Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most Western Buddhists don't know much about what Buddhism looks like on the ground in traditionally Buddhist countries. They tend to alternately idealize or ignore traditional practitioners. But there is so much to be learned from them about how Buddhism is transformed into a lived reality in societies where Buddhism has long been the dominant religious tradition. This ethnographic study provides an insightful, accessible, and readable window into how that is achieved in the case of northern Thailand.. It provides a wealth of examples of how fundamental Buddhist insights and doctrines are integrated into everyday experience and how they are used to give structure and meaning to the everyday events of life. It is an excellent ethnographic study in its own right and an especially profitable read for Western Buddhists.

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved learning about the psychology of another nation. There are some powerful ideas in here that I think can help me in my life. I want to learn the balance between letting go, and the value of ambition and diligently fighting for my dreams. Perhaps it can happen when we fight for those dreams, but don't attach ourselves to them. I think attachment is natural as humans... But I think God asks us to give up our will, over and over and over again. We sacrifice our will for His.


I could write a lot more... But there are many more thoughts rolling around in my head because of this book.