Siddharth Parekh, a successful investment banker, faces two blows in life that change it forever.
His father dies,
Left alone and rudderless, Siddharth seeks out an old friend of his father, a temple Pujari, who takes away all his worldly possessions, and allows him to seek life as an ordinary, middle class man.
Siddharth encounters people and events that are life-changing.
But are the changes for the good? How does he manage without money? Isn’t money the basis of life’s happiness?
Kandarp Gandhi is a finance professional, tutor and active blogger. He has half a decade of teaching experience along with couple of years as a Analyst at a hedge fund servicing company. He has been associated with IBS Hyderabad for blog writing. His hobbies include reading books, analyzing stocks and teaching
The book seems less interesting in the beginning then after a half part, its really interesting and motivational. I love the transformation part and concepts of it. Worth reading. The use of Gujarati lines seems cute as i am the one, but might be little boaring for non Gujarati folks. Otherwise overall nice but could have been better.
Nice book..it explains the meaning of life..It also teaches us the meaning of being successful; Success is growing with ethics, balancing personal & professional life, living life at its fullest and enjoying every moment..
Received this book from Goodreads as a giveaway. A beautiful well told story. Can money bring you happiness,joy ? If you are success in your professional life , will that give you happiness in your personal life? This book will give you an answer to all your queries.
Siddharth Parek , An investment banker is closing all his business deal with great success. He is very busy in his business schedule with no time for family. He is surrounded by his wife Anita, a successful leading actress and father. But Siddharth has no time to spent with them as he is running with tight business schedule.
But one fateful day his life changes. His father dies and his beautiful wife is saying good bye. Then he starts his life changing journey. What will happen to Siddharth?
Buddhist Banker written by Kandarp Gandhi will give answer to all your questions about happiness, life,sorrows, money etc. A well written book. The characters are scripted beautifully. The small 120 pages book is nicely penned down. Thank you once again for sending me a copy of the book.
Grab yourself a cup of Coffee and buckle up your seat for an exemplary experience!
This book has portrayed authentic characters, best of all the worlds, thoughtful description of all the elements of life whether it be the material world, discernment in relationships or importance of spirituality & philanthropy. The writer has adopted a simple & lucid style of writing which keeps on binding the readers till the end with the clarity of ideas & communicative conventions...Author has succinctly passed the subtle message - Everyone is born with the purpose of life and one can find the same when they will find their inner peace.
Rating: 2.5 stars The book started on an interesting note but eventually became a show-off of the protagonist's life and was nowhere related to finance. The learnings were also not something brand new but things we already know. Expected more out of the book.
Buddhist Banker is a philosophical novella with the timeless message that happiness is more than material affluence. Siddharth, a successful investor reaps gold with every deal he makes. He seems to have the most satisfying life with his wife, actress Anita, and his father. However, things take a problematic twist at a point when everything seems just so perfect, and he tumbles. Directed by the servant of his house, he goes on to meet his father’s old friend, a temple priest. Under the pujari’s guidance, Siddharth brings about some radical changes to his life and agrees to live so for one month. The incidents that occur and the people he meets during this period soothes his bruised mind and teaches him happiness beyond amassing wealth.
Siddharth, the protagonist is characterised quite thoughtfully. In fact, around the first twenty pages or so are aimed at establishing the lead character. However, if one is not accustomed to stock market terms and processes, then it will be a choppy sail. Once those pages are crossed, then the story moves fast. Compared to the characterisation of Siddharth, most of the other characters seem half-baked. For instance, the servant gains sudden importance after the father’s death. The beggar, Kantilal’s change also seems too quick. Barring Siddharth and his father, most of the other characters including the pujari leave the reader with a feeling that ‘we know what they are, but it would have been better if we get to know why they are so.’ Nevertheless, all of them serve the purpose of the plot.
The writing style adopted by the writer is a bit odd, because, again, it falls between that of a play and a novella. Being didactic literature, readers can expect a lot of teachings, at times to the point of being monotonous. However, given that the book is listed among self-help books, all the literary nuances can be put aside, and the book can be appreciated for it succeeds in bringing out the intended message.
Siddharth Parekh thinks his life cannot get better with a thriving business, a beautiful wife who is a leading actress, and all the money and power in the world at his disposal. But life has other plans for him while he is busy expanding his business. His wife leaves him causing public embarrassment and before he can think of coming out of it, his father, who is his only support, passes away suddenly.
As Siddharth realizes his inevitable loneliness and how all his wealth is not able to give him the happiness he assumed he had, life gives him another chance as he finds a clue left by his father to meet his old friend. The Pujari in a remote temple, is the only beckon of hope for Siddharth who is totally devastated. Does Siddharth get the key to happiness and the peace he couldnt get with his fame and wealth forms the rest of the story.
The title kind of gives away the plot of a successful investment banker finding peace and wisdom after going through a string of complicated life situations. There is a constant metaphorical thread running through the story comparing the protagonist's life to Lord Buddha. There are even short stories and incidents taken from life of Buddha to describe the similarities. The story starts on a predictable note and takes off after the first few pages, as Siddharth goes in search of the Pujari that his father intended him to meet.
Siddharth helping an unknown family and guiding them to run a successful business is the high point of the story. His journey of the one month as stranger is written well. However, the end could have been better as it gets predictable and loses novelty. Also, the mistakes Siddharth initially made were not valuing people around him while the lesson brought out is centered more around money and his values in doing business. The author could have handled this in a better way. However, the book makes for a nice one time read with a good message on wisdom and wealth and how each should be balanced equally to attain happiness.
"Buddhist Banker" explores Siddharth Parekh's journey from material success to spiritual awakening. The narrative, laden with metaphorical threads drawing parallels to Lord Buddha's life, unveils a predictable start that gains momentum as Siddharth embarks on a quest guided by a clue from his late father.
The storyline peaks when Siddharth, amidst his own struggles, becomes the catalyst for positive change in an unknown family's life, showcasing the transformative power of selflessness. The month-long journey as a stranger is a well-crafted segment, adding depth to Siddharth's character.
While the book delivers a strong message on balancing wealth and wisdom for true happiness, some aspects fall short. The ending, though predictable, lacks the novelty established earlier. Additionally, Siddharth's initial mistakes centered around undervaluing relationships, but the focus of the lesson shifts primarily to money and business values.
Despite these shortcomings, "Buddhist Banker" makes for a meaningful read, offering insights into the pursuit of happiness through a blend of financial success and spiritual wisdom. The author's incorporation of Buddha's life stories enhances the narrative, creating a book that, while not without flaws, provides a thought-provoking perspective on life's priorities.
Wrapped in less than 150 words this book has been written with modern quandary along with some teachings of the Buddha!
Siddharth Parekh, a successful investment banker, faces two blows in life that change it forever. His father dies. Left alone and rudderless, Siddharth seeks out an old friend of his father’s, a temple Pujari, who takes away all his worldly possessions, and allows him to seek life as an ordinary, middle class man. Siddharth encounters people and events that are life-changing.
The book has given the glossary of the characters in the beginning which helps the reader to understand the characters of the book. The book talks about multiple aspects of our modern lives. But I somehow felt that crisp narrative was missing and I was looking for the depth in the characters of the book. Though the book was able to carve its niche to translate its message to its readers and reader eventually gets essence of the teaching from the book.
This book narrates the transformation of Siddharth, an investment banker solely devoted to wealth. Kandarp Gandhi delivers a straightforward tale emphasizing ethical evolution over entertainment. The book's simplicity caters to accessibility, yet occasionally veers into mundanity, lacking depth in characters, plot, and writing.
Gandhi's uncomplicated language may seem too basic for avid readers, yet it serves a purpose in conveying profound life lessons. Despite its shortcomings, the book offers valuable insights into the moral quandaries of the modern era. It’s not a groundbreaking novel but functions as a moral compass for adults, urging reflection on one's values.
While it may not excel in traditional literary aspects, its simplicity manages to impart crucial messages. Expect less of an engaging narrative and more of a didactic journey, serving as a guide for those seeking to contemplate ethical dilemmas in today’s world. Ultimately, it's a modest story capable of influencing readers through its moral teachings.
Grab yourself a cup of Coffee and buckle up your seat for an exemplary experience!
This book has portrayed authentic characters, best of all the worlds, thoughtful description of all the elements of life whether it be the material world, discernment in relationships or importance of spirituality & philanthropy. The writer has adopted a simple & lucid style of writing which keeps on binding the readers till the end with the clarity of ideas & communicative conventions...Author has succinctly passed the subtle message - Everyone is born with the purpose of life and one can find the same when they will find their inner peace.
Amazing read, a must read in-between fast pace of life for reality check... Kudos to the Kandarp for picking the subject and presenting with perfection...