The Gods Drink Whiskey: Stumbling Toward Enlightenment in the Land of the Tattered Buddha – A Humorous Memoir of Buddhism, Booze, and the Four Noble Truths

by Stephen T. Asma

Buddhism, Booze, and the Four Noble Truths

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Travel, Religion, Philosophy, Asia, History

272 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2005

About the author

Stephen T. Asma is Professor of Philosophy at Columbia College Chicago, where he holds the title of Distinguished Scholar.

He is the author of "Why We Need Religion" (Oxford) and "Against Fairness" (University of Chicago Press), among others.

In 2003, he was Visiting Professor at the Buddhist Institute in Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia. There he taught "Buddhist Philosophy" as part of their pilot Graduate Program in Buddhist Studies. His book, entitled The Gods Drink Whiskey: Stumbling Toward Enlightenment in the Land of the Tattered Buddha (HarperOne, 2005) explores the Theravada Buddhism of the region. He has also traveled and studied in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Mainland China – eventually living in Shanghai China in 2005.

Asma is the author of several books: "Stuffed Animals and Pickled Heads: The Culture and Evolution of Natural History Museums" (Oxford University Press, 2001), "Following Form and Function" (Northwestern Univ. Press, 1996), and "Buddha for Beginners" (Hampton Roads, 2008). He has written many articles on a broad range of topics that bridge the humanities and sciences, including “Against Transcendentalism” in the book _Monty Python and Philosophy_ (Opencourt Press, 2006) and “Dinosaurs on the Ark: Natural History and the New Creation Museum” in _The Chronicle of Higher Education_ (May, 2007). He has also written for the _Chicago Tribune_, _In These Times_ magazine, the _Skeptical Inquirer_, the _Chronicle Review_, _Skeptic magazine_, and Chicago Public Radio's news-magazine show _Eight-Forty-Eight_.

His wide-ranging natural history of monsters was published by Oxford University Press in 2009. In this book, titled "On Monsters," Asma tours Western culture's worst nightmares. And his book "Why I Am a Buddhist" was published by Hampton Roads Publishing in 2009.

Reviews

[Kiekiat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read that I stumbled upon while frittering time away on Amazon several years ago. Asma is a professor at Columbia College in Chicago and this book is an account of his year living in Phnom Penh, Cambodia teaching Buddhism to a group of Cambodian students. The book, though, is really about Stephen Asma and his take on the world and why he is a Buddhist and his views on some of the politics of SE Asia and the tragic past of Cambodia, along with the exuberance of his students. Coming from a less thoughtful person, this book could be a slog, but, fortunately, Asma is well-read in many areas and the book is sprinkled with quips and insights and you come away feeling as if you wouldn't mind spending a night shooting the shit with Asma over a few beers and trading stories or just listening to his. One of my favorite vignettes in the book is where Asma, who plays blues guitar, is strumming away when his Sri Lankan housemate hears him and recognizes he is playing Skip James and they end up jamming together and having a great talk. This is one of those books where the exhortation, "Just READ it" aptly applies.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My early impression of the book couldn't have been wronger. I feared a new-age smug account of the superiority of 'spirituality' over rationality or some such nonsense. What I found was a thoughtful, self-conscious narrative, interweaving a personal journey with basic tenants of Buddhism and observations of the state of Buddhism in Cambodia, today.

I would have liked a little more sociological exploration of modern Theravada Buddhism, but that would have been a different book. It's part self-help, self-exploration, and part "This is what Buddhism really is, dagnabbit." He has some strong digs against the New Age fru-fru that I feared he would be embracing. And there's a nice healthy core of rational naturalism that jives strongly with me and my own atheism. At times I nearly shouted, "Holy crap, I'm Buddhist!"

But then, there is no 'me', right? :) I'm just an abstract concept formed by the aggregate of my body and perceptions and volition. And I'm cool with that.

[Jack Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book serves a terrific introduction into the different branches of Buddhism while focusing primarily on Theravanda Buddhism and he history of it in Cambodia. The most engaging aspect of the book was that it was very approachable without being feeling like you are reading lecture notes. I actually renewed it from the library not because I needed more time to read it but because I want to be able take notes on all of the resources it offers. The only problem that I had with it, and it is a decidedly minor one, was that from time to time the author would take a paragraph or two to hammer home his own personal opinion in a way that bordered on antagonistic, and there were a few, even shorter passages, where it felt like he was going out of his way to explain that he was just another mid 30's American traveling through South East Asia. He's not. He's a philosophy professor who was specifically invited to go to the heartland of Buddhism to teach Buddhism to people whose families had been, with the possible exception of the period of Pol Pot's atrocities, Buddhists for hundreds of generations. That's not your average American. However, I believe his intention in including these asides was to help illustrate that Buddhism is a part of everyday life and not some super mystical world. All in all a great read.

[Jason Pettus · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com]. I am the original author of this essay, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted illegally.)

Unbeknownst to readers of this blog, I've been spending this summer tearing through a bunch of books on Buddhism and especially Buddhist meditation; I've started practicing a secular form of meditation in my personal life over the last year, and the insights I've had about my life because of it was recently referred to by a friend as "accidentally Buddhist" in nature, so I thought it'd be interesting to learn a little more about actual Buddhism and to see why my friend made this comment in the first place. The books have generally been hit-and-miss, the natural side-effect of just grabbing a bunch of random titles off the shelf of my neighborhood library; but one of the best writers on the subject of Buddhism in America has turned out to be a local, Columbia College professor Stephen Asma who takes a decidedly blue-collar, rationalist, and no-bullshit approach to his interpretations of these ancient texts, and how they can be applied to the practical lives of contemporary Westerners, without needing all the hippie New Age accoutrements that have typically been carried with them into our country. And thus have I ended up making my way this summer through nearly the entirety of Asma's oeuvre, from practical guides to meditation to a "for dummies" style introduction to the philosophy.

His latest that I've read, though, 2005's The Gods Drink Whiskey, I thought was finally the kind of book that could be justified writing about here at the blog for a general audience; and that's because this is not just a hyper-specialized guide to Buddhism itself, but a sprawling and fascinating look at a year Asma spent in southeast Asia (headquartered in Cambodia but traveling extensively through the rest of the region), where he blends lessons about religion and philosophy with an engaging travelogue, a primer on the politics of these developing nations, and an astute sociological look at how Buddhism has been warped and changed by various local populations in order to fit what they've needed to get out of it. And indeed, by constantly comparing this process to the one Christianity has gone through in the Western world (think of prim Mormons in their Sunday finest, snake handlers in Texas, suburban liberals in New England, and Midwestern fundamentalists flailing about and speaking in tongues, all of whom are supposedly worshipping the same Jesus), Asma makes it easy to understand why there's so many different forms of Buddhism in southeast Asia, why they've been so influenced by the local culture of each area, and why there's so much disagreement between different sects over how to "properly" practice. (Just for one example, and probably the biggest surprise to Americans in the entire book, the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism only comprises six percent of all practicing Buddhists worldwide, and is considered by most Buddhists to be an overly fussy, overly ritualistic form of the philosophy that relies way too heavily on mysticism and supernatural elements.)

All this would be interesting enough; but like I said, what makes this book truly spectacular is the way Asma weaves in his personal anecdotes about his travels there, and especially the ironic surrealism of being one of the most experienced veterans at the Cambodian Buddhist Institute where he was hired to teach, which is what brought him over there in the first place. (Although Cambodia is one of the nations where Buddhism was first cultivated thousands of years ago, the monstrous Pol Pot dictatorship of the 1960s and '70s systematically murdered nearly an entire generation of Buddhist teachers and practitioners, leaving an all-consuming gap in expertise after that radical Communist regime was defeated that has forced the nation to do things like hire Americans to come and teach their newest generation of Buddhist youths.) A funny, moving, eye-opening and always informative book, despite this now being a decade old it turned out to be one of the most illuminating and enjoyable travel journals I've read in years, which is why I wanted to do a writeup of it here for the main blog and not just my usual quick mention at Goodreads.com, like I've been doing with all the other Buddhism books I've been reading this summer. It comes very strongly recommended, as does Asma's other books, to anyone looking to get a better sense of what Buddhism is all about as a practical, secular philosophy, apart from the spiritual trappings it's picked up along the way from the various regional communities who have adopted it over the centuries.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the majority of people, Buddhism is linked to Tibet and the Dalai Lama. In this book, we learn about Buddhism in Cambodia called Theravada Buddhism. As it turns out, associating Tibetan Buddhism as "the" Buddhism is like associating Mormonism as "the" Christianity. Only about 6% of the world's Buddhists are Tibetan Buddhists (out of roughly 400 million Buddhists).

Asma was invited to teach Buddhism at the Cambodian Buddhist Institute to a select group of students. He covers his journey through a new country and new version of Buddhism in this really well written and engaging book.

*Tibetan Buddhism encourages deities when in reality Buddha did not want deities. People should be focused on themselves and achieving nibbana (enlightenment or cooling - having a cool heart). Although holy relics are still sacred to Theravadan Buddhists - such as Buddha's eyebrow or tooth.
*The title of the book comes from the fact that whiskey is offered up to the spirits to keep the peace. Families and businesses have little spirit houses where they make offerings to keep the bad stuff from happening to them. And in this case, spirits like whiskey.
*Theravada Buddhism is mixed with a bit of Hinduism and most still worship Vishnu and Shiva, even though Buddha says there are no gods. Most religions are a mix of others and one would probably be hard pressed to find a pure religion.
*Theravadan Buddhists meditate on corpses. This is to pound in the fact of impermanence. I don't think I want to do that.
* Cambodia is a hot mess. Politics, assassinations on the streets, Khmer Rouge. It's no wonder the peace of Buddhism is practiced.
*Penises aka phallic symbols are worshiped by some.

There is a ton more information and it's all very interesting and gives a great perspective of religion in Southeast Asia.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

"You can labor hard for immortality and fame and recognition, but even if you make a big splash on the global consciousness (with your role in a movie, with your bangin' CD release, with your political victory, with your best-seller book success), in the end you will eventually become just a footnote, and after that you will slip from the record of history and time altogether, finally evaporating like billions and billions of our predecessors. While this realization may seem deflationary at first, it proves to be rather inspiring after the ego-bruises fade away. Because now all motivation and purpose and rationale have to go to the work itself rather than to the "success" - to the journey rather than the destination. Since only the now really exists and obscurity awaits on either side of it, I resolved that I should try to live more deeply in the life I had - not the life I craved."

[Jampa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable book. Part memoir, part history. I really enjoyed the historical aspect of the book in regards to the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Southeast Asia and the gumbo of spirituality and culture. I knew of the pre-Buddhist influence of Hinduism, but did not know of the pre-Theravada establishing of Mahayana Buddhism in Cambodia. While I enjoyed Professor Asma's expounding and quoting verses of beautiful Pali suttas, I was a little put off by moments in the book of his Mahayana bashing. Thank goodness they were brief, nevertheless a little disappointing. In the end, I would find myself giggling anyways.

[Ann Petersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting description of How Theravada Buddhism has evolved and is practiced in Cambodia and SE Asia generally. Funny at times despite some horrible historical context.

[Linda Howe Steiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prepping for a trip this spring to Cambodia and Vietnam. Was told that this book offered a view into what it's like living an ordinary life as a Buddhist believer. Written by a young professor of philosophy and religion as a kind of intellectual memoir while he traveled in Cambodia. I found it interesting, and grew very fond of Stephen's voice. Some parts get rather technical in their discussion of Buddhism and its variety of types, but that's okay by me. A certain amount of debunking goes on with regard to American Buddhist practices. The focus here is Theravada Buddhism--the oldest version and a distinctly un-magical set of practices. These are the practices I find most appealing. Gautama ("The Buddha"), after all, says Asma, was a critic of Hinduism, including all the gods and reincarnations and caste society. Many Hindu beliefs have snuck back in of course, but I found this rendering to be, shall we say, helpful if not clarifying.

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started to read this book because I'm planning a trip to Cambodia and I really wanted to learn more about the country.

I think that this book gave me lots of info on the culture and also a lot more. I've been living in Asia for quite some time now, and Buddisim has always intrigued me. I've lots of temples and even some festivities, but I've never really understood the docterin. I've asked English speaking Buddists about the religion, but never felt very satisfied with the answers. This book has definitely cleared up a lot of my questions.

So, I would recomend this book to anyone who is interested in the Cambodian culture (there is also some stuff about Thailand and Vietnam) and people who want to learn about the history and practices of Buddisim. I am not a big non-fiction reader, but this book kept me interested the whole way.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible book that gives you a practical view of Buddhism through one American Buddhist's journey in Cambodia. Stephen Asma, the author and star of this nonfiction memoir, mixes phlosophy with entertaining anecdotes of all of the people he encountered on the way. In the end you learn that humans are not perfect, and neither is Buddhism, with its multitude of forms. As the subtitle indicates, a tattered Buddha is the only way to enlightenment. Without being assailed by life's hard times, one cannot fully become enlightened.
If you are not one for dabbling in religions that you do not believe, pick this one up anyway, if only for the amusing and often stark descriptions of everyday life in Cambodia

[David Guy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Talk about your feeble excuses for reading a book: I was getting my computer worked on when I noticed this book on a nearby work desk. I picked it up and flipped through it, had a vague memory of somebody or other recommending it. I was especially attracted to the subtitle of the final chapter, “Transcendental Everydayness.” In a way that seems to me what Zen is all about. So I ordered and read the book, and it was a great antidote to the dour bitterness of Sabbath’s Theater.

Asma is the opposite of bitter, even in the face of some difficult experiences. He teaches classes in Buddhism at Columbia College in Chicago (which I admit I’ve never heard of) and somehow got an opportunity to teach Buddhism for a year in Cambodia. He jumped at it, despite the fact that he was leaving behind a pregnant wife, and made the most of his yearlong experience. I have a longtime interest in Cambodia, because my wife’s program at Duke sent a number of students there and I responded to their writing about the place. I also, to say the least, have a strong interest in Buddhism. So I dived right in.

Though he says he “also loves” Zen, Asma considers himself a Theravada Buddhist, and asserts that, in contrast to other forms of Buddhism, Theravada is the “whole enchilada.” He’s scornful of what he calls California Buddhism (I was never clear on what he means by that. There’s a major Theravada center, Spirit Rock, in California) and dumps all over Tibetan Buddhism in particular, saying it’s far from the original teaching of the Buddha (he makes that argument persuasively, though I think Tibetan Buddhism is a deep practice[1]). I wasn’t sure what he meant by whole enchilada; we do seem to be mixing our cultural metaphors. You could argue that, because Theravada monks sometimes live in the forest, are celibate, do not handle money, and live in poverty, they are the most authentic Buddhists. I figured that was the argument he might make.

In what sense Asma is then a Theravada Buddhist I do not know. He’s not a monk, leads a very secular lifestyle, eats plenty of meat, drinks copiously—long evenings of drinking where he winds up drunk—on one occasion uses marijuana (eating it on a pizza!), and though he does meditate sometimes at the local temples, doesn’t seem to have a daily practice (maybe, in his defense, he just didn’t mention it). I know a lot of Zen Buddhists, and Tibetans for that matter, who practice a stricter form of Buddhism than he. I do think it’s possible to argue that the Pali Canon is the only authentic teaching of the Buddha, and that anything else is bogus. But I myself happen to think that the broad tradition of Buddhism is beautiful, and that subsequent teachings—including some Tibetan teachings—have vastly deepened the tradition. The original teachers in all religions have had their commentators. Paul’s letters are as much a part of Christianity as the Gospels.

Nevertheless, this is a wonderful book about a year in Cambodia, and he covers various aspects of the country well. Cambodia is officially a “Buddhist” country, and Asma suggests that Buddhist philosophy is deeply embedded in Cambodian culture.[2] That may be true, though the prevailing Buddhism is a very secular kind, and Cambodia is a country where life is cheap, and which has a violent and heartbreaking recent past.

Asma doesn’t avoid that, has a whole chapter on Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. He visits a museum about that period and tours the Killing Fields themselves. That chapter is heartbreaking and difficult to read. The weird situation in Cambodia today is that people who participated in the murder of many of the country’s best citizens are still living there, and some may be involved in the government. That part of Cambodia’s history is hardly “Buddhist” (though every government has its horrors. No country lives up to its spiritual ideals).

Asma does seem to have been changed by his year in Cambodia, and hoped to take those changes back to Chicago with him. I must say the Transcendental Everydayness that the book advertised doesn’t amount to much. Slow down. Pay attention to what you’re doing. (Who can argue with those things? A “California Buddhist” named Shunryu Suzuki advocated them as well.) Asma says that many Cambodians could sit for hours at a time doing absolutely nothing, just taking in the world around them, and I’m sure that’s true, but it was just as true of the Mexico I visited some years ago. Poor people everywhere lead a simpler and more mindful life, including those who sell pork skins in the Zocolo all day. I understand what it’s like to want to bring the lessons of another culture into a place where you live. And I think it’s possible to do that.

I don’t think this is a great book about Buddhism, though I appreciate Asma’s honesty, and enjoyed arguing with him as I read. The man is full of himself and full of ideas about Buddhism (as a professor should be), many of which seem peculiar to him. But it is a great book about living in another culture. I don’t think it was really a quest for enlightenment. But the man definitely did stumble.

[1] Despite the problems it’s been having lately.

[2] I must admit—I hate to keep sniping at Asma, but he’s a first-rate sniper himself—that I don’t think Buddhism is primarily a philosophy. I understand that the Pali Canon is vast, and Asma seems to have read at least parts of the Abidharma, which is vast as well. But I feel strongly—and Asma seems to agree with this—that the heart of Buddhism is in the simple (though startling and profound) teachings of the Four Noble Truths, and that Buddhism is primarily a practice. It’s a way of living your life. The ideas are secondary.

www.davidguy.org

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part intro to Theravada Buddhism, part travelogue, and part rant about "kids these days". I've mentioned before that I'm not really a fan of travel books that feature a lot of author pontification. This book's frequent screeds against the arrogance of christian missionaries or the irreverence of today's youth were unwelcome departures from the lessons on Buddhism and travel stories of SE Asia that I came here to read. When Asma did get around to those lessons and stories, they were great (and it's not like I disagreed with the author's complaints)... I just would have liked a lot more of them and less soapboxing.

[Tobey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book a lot. It is written by a Buddhist Studies professor from Chicago who works at the Buddhist Institute in Phnom Penh for a semester. Cambodia is a great place to study Buddhism because the practice seems so different from the philosophy but Dr. Asma does a good job connecting them.

If you have traveled to Cambodia before or are interested in Buddhism from a point of view other than the hippie new age one than this book is for you. (I understand that this is a very small segment of the reading population but you are out there).

[Elizabeth Schurman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a terribly misleading title, cover, and clips on the back. I learned a lot about the varieties of Buddhism, as it focuses on Buddhism in Cambodia but discusses other types. There is plenty of history and some philosophy. It certainly is not an intro to Buddhism or a hippie travelogue. It also explains how Hinduism and animism and other older belief systems fit into Buddhism in southeast Asia. And does a fair bit of weighing east Asian and Western ideas and lifestyles. Thoughtful and worthwhile.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting approach to sharing the central rational philosophical teachings of the Buddha. The teachings come a bit at a time as they are woven through the narration of the author's experiences in Cambodia. He covers all of the essential teachings including the Four Noble Truths, kamma, dependent origination, and the three characteristics of being.

I chose the book because I wanted to learn about how Buddhism manifests in a real messy culture rather than the sanitized books and retreats of the US and Canada. I, like the author, struggled with the amount of magical thinking, animism, and Hinduism that is coupled with the Budda's philosophy in the living Buddhist culture of southeast Asia.

Warning: you learn about Cambodia in this book, which includes learning about the horrific atrocities of the Khmer Rouge. It was tear-jerking. I am glad I learned about it.

Finally, be prepared for a bit of soap-boxing from the author on various issues. He thinks critically and expresses himself well. But he will talk about subjects like differences in sexuality in western and eastern cultures in a cursory way and with a large brush. Just file those things as something to think about more critically later and the book will go well.

Steve Asma, you made me think and laugh and cry. Thank you.

[Markus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would love to have rated it higher, but the language is quite hard and he goes deep into Buddhist concepts to the extent that I wouldn't be able to grasp it have it not been for a couple of years of study on the subject.
It is a fascinating read and I think it has great appeal, but it is not written for the masses, which the statement on the back of being Buddhism 101 would indicate for me.
If you're into Buddhism and keen on exploring South-east Asia, I would pick up this book any day however!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this to prep for my first trip to Southeast Asia. This is sort of Gonzo-style writing, with the author inserting his personal experience into a rather academic exploration of how Buddhism manifests itself in real-life. Some of his personal tales a bit off, but overall the book made my trip much richer because I has a way to understand modern Southeast Asia that puts Buddhism and the temple at the center of community life.

[Marc Menz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and definitely eye opening to those who don’t know much about Buddhism outside of the Dalai Lama. Was hoping for more adventures through Southeast Asia, however got a lot more ‘west vs east’ comparisons. Despite being a bit of a cynical/sarcastic rant at times I learned a lot and had a bit of a chuckle

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is so heavy with story and information it took me a while to get through but i thoroughly enjoyed the read. A very eye opening book that gives onsite to the many sides of Buddhism and Philosophy. mixed in with some wild experiences from Cambodia and other nearby areas.
highly recommend if you are interested in Eastern Philosophy

[Cassy · Rating 1 out of 5]

couldn't finish- read about 3 chapters before I put this down.
What bothers me the most is that the Khmer people are written to speak with thick, heavy accents.
Stephen Asma - you monolingual fuck - what a racist thing to do.
0/10 Do not recommend.

[Kirby Wilcoxson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun and helpful introduction to Buddhism as a “lived religion” in Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia. Asma describes his work as “philosophical journalism,” and I think that is a fair description.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very focused on Buddhism (was expecting more about Cambodia) but brought back some fond memories

[Chet Taranowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked both the travel writing and his honest look at Buddhist practice and how it can be distorted.

[Shiela Pardee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing if you have a particular interest in Buddhism and/or Cambodia. I read it prior to a visit to Cambodia.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book recounts Asma's year teaching philosophy (Buddhism) to Cambodian students in Phnom Penh. While he spends a significant part of the book, especially the latter part, discussing Buddhist philosophy he also spends time, especially in the first part of the book, recounting his personal experiences, what day-to-day living in Cambodia was like, what the people were like, and the lingering after-effects of the Pol Pot tragedy that befell Cambodia in the 1970s. He does a good job of intertwining all of this with Buddhism, his Buddhist beliefs, and his larger world views without seeming at all pedantic.

from the book:
Buddhism's four truths: (1) all life is suffering, unsatisfactory, (2) all suffering is caused by attachment to desires, (3) cease being attached to your desires and you become free of suffering, and (4) by following the Eight-fold Path you can detach yourself from cravings through concentrating, thinking, and acting. The basic lesson is moderation in all things.

other bits from the book:
--What rubs me wrong about missionaries is that they lack basic respect for other people's views.
--Hate, along with greed and ignorance are the three fundamental roots of suffering, according to Buddhism.
--Righteousness comes only from righteous action, not class membership.
--The solution, according to the Buddha, is to live in the present without attachment and slavery to sensual and intellectual cravings.
--Americans have too many choices to be happy.
--humility is also a precondition for learning, and this virtue is much harder to find in America than in Cambodia.
--Since many Southeast Asians perceive their diseases and ailments as the fruits of karma (in this life or a previous one), they sometimes adopt a fatalistic attitude and do not trust or pursue medical treatments for themselves.
--Try telling the average Christian that Jesus wasn't really the Son of God, but just a symbol of the selfless ethical lifestyle -- maybe Ivy League divinity PhDs will get on board with this, but not 99% of other Christians.
--Humility, something most Americans have in short supply, is close to the heart of Buddhism.
--according to Buddhism, serving your child, or your elderly parent, or your lover, is far better than trying to serve God. After all, if there is a perfect being, he certainly doesn't need your help in the way these people do.
--The pursuit of happiness is perhaps the greatest motivation for all human beings, but Americans tend to see happiness entirely in the future tense.
--Buddhists affirm the present over everything...They do not repent the past, nor do they brood over the future. They live in the present.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Buddha explained the two lessons of this parable. First, we see that human understanding is perspectival and subjective in the sense that our personal experiences shape the way we perceive reality. But reality and the truth are bigger than any one perspective. Second, we see how attached we are to our particular perspectives, even to the point of fighting over them. Our egos lead us to be more concerned with winning the debate than with actually knowing the truth.
People who travel, particularly those who spend time in exotically different cultures, tend to learn this lesson of the elephant almost automatically. When many of the things you fervently believe or practice are turned upside down by experiences in another country, you can't help but develop a little healthy skepticism toward your own beliefs. You start to feel like you've had your hand on the tail of the truth, but now you're getting some new acquaintance with its legs and trunk. This kind of immersion travel really cures national and personal smugness. 4


In America people spend a lot of time and energy trying to maximize the most satisfactory choice. They gather data about their choice and stress out about their imminent decisions. They regret many of their decision, because the possibilities are so endless, and then this regret is compounded by their worry that they wouldn't be able to avoid regret after making their decisions. Frequently, all these choices leave people paralyzed and unable to commit. When they do commit, they obsess and fret over the missed opportunities that their actual choice forced upon the, This is why shopping has become a science for many Americans, and perhaps it is also why romance itself now seems more like shopping. But our overabundance of choices often leaves s living in the past and future rather than the present. 136

[Arcadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Buddha Gotama, being liberated from craving and ego, would have no problem engaging in a heroin-tinged orgy down at the local brothel. It would not enslave him. But the Buddha is a pro, and the rest of us should not try this at home." Told in this light-hearted and comical manner, 'The Gods Drink Whiskey' introduces the core and complicated concepts of Buddhism, with a special focus on Theravada Buddhism. I did get lost sometimes, with the microscopic insight into the anatta or 'no-self' and all the different Suttas and dhammas or dharmas. And I did feel it did get a little preachy sometimes, trying to prove Buddhism's deeper grasp on everything. Disbanded a couple of myths surrounding buddhism, such as the famous 'nibanna', 'nirvana', it has many meanings in the vast web of Buddhism, and the 'yuppie westerners' have grabbed the one thats the 'coolest'. Hm, it was interesting. Filled with funny stories, for example his encounter with the marihuana-spiced pizza in Phnom Penh. Very insightful into Cambodia's present-making history. The Khemer Rouge, the name given to the followers of a communist party that ruled (or destroyed) Cambodia under Pol Pot. Summary, he annihilated 30% of Cambodia's whole population. And because religion is considered an enemy to communism, all the monks were pursued and wats, temples, were burned down. The notorious S-21 prison were women, children, men, peasants, monks, were taken to be tortured, housed an estimated number of 17,000 prisoners. Only 12 made it out alive. And the S-21 was one of 150 of these torture chambers in all Cambodia.
It really gave you historical context for the role of Buddhism in the country, I'll give it that.

[Jason Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written in a topical and humorous fashion, as the title itself makes clear. It was good to read a book that took a walk through southeast asia and elsewhere that had an attitude of taking the practices of buddhism in the heart of buddhist countries with a grain of salt. It was a good dose of reality for me in that sometimes I take my buddhist practice very seriously and it was good to have it knocked down a bit by people who have lived with it as a tradition for a much longer time than I. The author is a professor of buddhist studies and is an american. He shows in his writing how people in the theraveda tradition of buddhism sway between the truly spiritual and the banal and almost kitch aspects of their beliefs; much the same way people in the west sport 'what would jesus do?' bumper stickers and darwin fish emblems on their cars, there they offer whiskey to the buddha and trapse into the realm of phallus worship as part of the everyday.

[refgoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting. I'm learning about Buddhism and Thailand, via Asma's essays/travelog. He's there in Thailand, helping the new generation of monks learn about their religion. The old monks who would normally pass it on were destroyed by Pol Pot. It reminds me of Spaulding Gray, when he talks about interacting with the people: it's all about the stories and the people. It also reminds me of Bruce Chatwin's novel/travelog about Australia and how the aboriginals lost their culture when the storytellers died without passing on their Dreamtime knowledge. Sadly, I've run out of gas on this one. Because it's a series of essays, it's easy to put it down after each one.