The Stone Boy and Other Stories

by Thich Nhat Hanh, Nguyen Thi Hop (Illustrator)

In The Stone Boy and Other Stories , Thich Nhat Hanh's collection of short fiction, the well known Zen monk and peace activist expolres Buddhist themes of love and compassion while introducing the reader to the treasures of Vietnamese culture.

Genres: Fiction, Buddhism, Spirituality, Short Stories, Philosophy, Religion, World Literature

226 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Thích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist who then lived in southwest France where he was in exile for many years. Born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo, Thích Nhất Hạnh joined a Zen (Vietnamese: Thiền) monastery at the age of 16, and studied Buddhism as a novitiate. Upon his ordination as a monk in 1949, he assumed the Dharma name Thích Nhất Hạnh. Thích is an honorary family name used by all Vietnamese monks and nuns, meaning that they are part of the Shakya (Shakyamuni Buddha) clan. He was often considered the most influential living figure in the lineage of Lâm Tế (Vietnamese Rinzai) Thiền, and perhaps also in Zen Buddhism as a whole.

Reviews

[Smitha Murthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book in 2008 and I am reading it now! Sigh. My bookshelf continues to groan under the weight of all the unread books. But I am glad that this book and I had this conversation now. It's a beautifully wrought set of stories where Thich Nhat Hanh blends perfectly magic realism, fantasy, fable, and philosophy that lead to gentle reminders towards the path of compassion, kindness, peace, and joy.

And not just that - Thich Nhat Hanh also uses these stories to talk about the hardship of the Vietnamese, from the time of the war when the country was split into two, till today. In this, you see the anguish of a monk who is aghast at the pain we inflict on each other- often mindlessly, and more heartlessly, when we inflict hurt knowing fully well that these actions of ours hurt. I loved most of the stories in the book - The Stone Boy was wonderful - but my favorite was the story of the monk's disciple who is given a magic mirror that can bring out the demons in anyone. The young man uses this mirror to bring peace, slashing out the monsters that exist even on the most compassionate faces. Until one day, he turns the mirror on himself.

Of such deep meaning are these stories. Read these to find your own favorite.

[Sukanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of stories that one can revisit every now and then.

I have been reading Thich Nhat Hanh for quite some time now and it will be an understatement to say that reading him is deeply thought provoking. And therapeutic. But all the same, I am aware that knowledge and wisdom are two different things. To read about a way of life and to actually live it are two different things.

I am forever breaking my head over this. How does one cover this distance between knowledge to wisdom? Is it even possible to cover this distance in a lifetime? Every religious discourse that I have happened upon, espouses detachment of one kind or another. But then, I ask, what is the point of this social world if we are supposed to shun attachments?

Is it even possible to shun attachments? Because, if it is not, then we'll have been beating ourselves up for not being able to manage an impossibility - living in this world of relationships and desires/ aspirations and forever seeking detachment.

Hinduism, the more one reads, the more one begins to think, is almost equivocal about absolute desire and absolute detachment. It espouses balance. But who decides what is the right balance?

Endless questions. Endless analysing. But it's good. Even if it does not help me cover the distance from knowledge to wisdom, it will surely help me cover the distance from absolute ignorance to a certain awareness.

[Tate Lamoreaux · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being a book of short stories, I felt no immediate rush to finish the whole book quickly. So I read the collection over a few months. Most of the stories I found to be pretty forgetful. When I would go back to the book, I would try to remember the story that I had read previously, and while maybe I remembered some of the plot or setting, I couldn’t really remember the story’s theme. I don’t think I got much at this book.

[Himanshi Yadav · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spent an entire month to read this collection of short stories. Picking up one story in my spare time and it was utterly refreshing to plunge into the deep wisdom of Hanh. He is one of my favourite thinkers and being naturally inclined towards buddhism, the themes of the stories were always in tune with my conscience.
The title story is undoubtedly the best one from the collection. Retelling the sufferings of war and the power of love and compassion dominates the story but one of his best qualities as a prose writer is the simplicity with which he tells of the miraculousness of daily life and sounding poetic at the same time.

[Grace Tobing · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stone Boy, was the first book I read from his work. The short stories elaborate about simple life in villages with alot of interactions with nature. It leaves me a feeling of calm and the joy of being present. The contemplation driven me to the thoughts that there are a lot of reason among us to be grateful, mainly the neglected ones, as we know it's there, and we behave in autopilot.

[Zois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thich creates some seemingly simple, but atmospheric short stories. However, all stories contain deeper and meaningful layers about Buddhism and sometimes the history of Vietnam that are not too hard to understand, but still profound and useful.

[Clare Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in Vietnam. Can’t express how good this is.

[Alec · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and insightful collection.

[J.D. Wabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful stories bloomed from a tragic period.

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and/or heart-wrenching stories. Many great truths and deep feelings in this book. Read slowly and savor.

[Chanita]

The Stone Boy is a new collection of Thich Nhat Hanh's short fiction. His clear, contemplative spirit illuminates these stories, which are mostly of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people. Combining traditional Vietnamese tales with accounts of the contemporary suffering of the Vietnamese people. Now, at a time when America has opened up again to Vietnam, this important collection can inform and illuminate readers. Seven of the stories have appeared in previous collections, The Moon Bamboo and The Pine Gate, which are both now out of print.

These stories explore Buddhist themes, while introducing the Western reader to the richness of Vietnamese culture. Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh is one of the world's most popular teachers of Buddhism and meditation. He is also the author of many works of poetry and fiction.

[Aleisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hooray for Thich Nhat Hanh! The Vietnamese Buddhist monk has a beautiful soul and a way with words. He changed my life in college when I discovered his works and his philosophies to "practice mindful living." This collection was lovely.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Multiple stories... vietnam fables... interesting read, I like zen-ness....

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ancient Tree makes me cry every time I read it.

[John Nondorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

More tales of suffering than I was hoping for, but lovely, thoughtful, moving stories nonetheless.

[Tim Desmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful stories to inspire.