This is a translation of the entire collection of 72 suttas, which includes some of the longer and more famous poems in the Pali Canon, such as the Discourse on Goodwill (Karaniya-Metta Sutta), the Discourse on Treasures (Ratana Sutta), and the Discourse on Protection (Mangala Sutta). It also contains two sets of poems considered to be deep expressions of advanced points of doctrine: the Atthaka Vagga, on the theme of non-clinging, and the Parayana Vagga, in which the Buddha answers questions posed by adepts in concentration practice. The collection also contains three suttas with rare biographical information of the Buddha’s early life.
Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu, also known as Ajaan Geoff (born Geoffrey DeGraff, 1949), is an American Theravada Buddhist monk of the Dhammayut Order (Dhammayutika Nikaya), Thai forest kammatthana tradition. He is currently the abbot of Metta Forest Monastery in San Diego County. Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu is a translator of the Pāli Canon as well as more modern Buddhist works and the author of many articles and books on Dhamma.
Wow. Words to live by. Most important thing I got from this book was the emphasis that you should not compare yourself and specifically, not even view yourself as an “equal” to anyone. You are just you. Many thoughts provoked. I try to look over this book every night to evoke a nice meditative state.