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Questions from the City, Answers from the Forest: Simple Lessons You Can Use from a Western Buddhist Monk
"Sincere inquiry always sparks our movement towards truth. Deep questions signal the manifestation of the very energy through which we outgrow ourselves." -- from the Introduction. Born in Chicago, a law school graduate and real estate professional, Ajahn Sumano abandoned his comfortable American lifestyle for the begging bowl and simple cave home of an ordained Buddhist monk in the tradition of the Thai forest meditation masters. In 1994-95, he conducted a series of question and answer evenings at a guest house in Thailand's Kowyai National Park with English-speaking tourists eager to meet a Western Buddhist monk. The heartfelt questions of these "city" people and the clear and penetrating answers Sumano gave from his "forest" perspective form the basis of this remarkable book. Written on a battered, battery-powered laptop in his meditation cave, Sumano's enchanting personal story and his refreshingly down-to-earth blend of American sensibility and Eastern practice will fascinate newcomers to Buddhist ideas as well as experienced practitioners.
- GenresNonfictionBuddhism
183 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 12, 2020
Let's just say, not my cup of tea. Didn't like it from the start to the end. The author talks about nice topics of modern day life, maybe someone can relate to it but for me it was entirely non-relatable. Mostly what it felt like was 'hey, I haven't done most of these but here are my thoughts.'
Buddhism is a way of life. Yes it can be implemented in life even if you are a social person with family responsibilities.
Decrease your needs and live simply, live and let live. Samsara is a big sea, you learn as you go, you make decisions and you learn to live with it. I guess I couldn't see the spiritual enlightening in this book.
1.5 Stars.
Buddhism is a way of life. Yes it can be implemented in life even if you are a social person with family responsibilities.
Decrease your needs and live simply, live and let live. Samsara is a big sea, you learn as you go, you make decisions and you learn to live with it. I guess I couldn't see the spiritual enlightening in this book.
1.5 Stars.
September 1, 2022
The author’s authoritative and rather brusque and offensive way of delivering answers make it difficult to agree to. “You’re laughable, you’re delusional”. Also the answers were not as profound or in depth as one might expect.
The book is for people who don’t have a grasp of Buddhism and don’t mind the tone and ok with lack of spiritual depth.
The book is for people who don’t have a grasp of Buddhism and don’t mind the tone and ok with lack of spiritual depth.
June 7, 2017
great book
January 24, 2019
Great book to read and understand about learning Budha, wisdoms on life,.....I loved it
May 4, 2021
Chưa rõ ràng..
February 16, 2016
Questions from the City, Answers from the Forest by Ajahn Sumano Bhikkhu ~ Review by Nandini Goel
It is a book which provides enough food for ones mind to contemplate and look deep. But this food unlike many other books is not spicy, sweet or sour, but is rather very austere. It provides a beautiful outlook of Buddhist Culture prevailing primarily in the Eastern Part of the World. It focuses on the importance of simplicity in our lives.
While we run behind good career, generating revenue and compete with our peers, we forget the importance of contemplation and meditation.
We win a competition, we feel happy. We lose a competition, we feel sad. So, you see this happiness or regret is temporary and mostly relative to something materialistic But what most people do is they either get too excited or they get depressed by the outcome. The same is the case with monetary status. When you are financially stable, you go high. And when you have to go through a few rainy days, you go crazy or feel low.
Neither being too high nor being too low is something to look for, When one is neither affected by either. It is necessary that we develop a mental balance and try to achieve mental peace in order to live a happy life. **smile**( I don't know how many books before me have spoken this.) However it is true. What in my view is important, Affect that is caused over a human which actually is not post result issue but is owing to the expectation of human , which actually grew much before one took part in the event.
Then comes the importance of celibacy. Keeping a control over your desires and holding back from debauchery is one important aspect a human must keep in mind.Although in my view We still need to define the excess of something which leads to debauchery.**smile** We all want to show off our expensive possessions but in doing so we lose the simplicity of life. What we possess is for our own good. Adolescents often err with what they call true love. But it is just the hormonal excitement that they exhibit and often confused, tend to commit mistakes. The Author then also speaks that it is never like a fairy tale in the real life.
Ajahn Sumano Bhikkhu then explains about the fear of death. We all fear death because our society has taught us that death is an evil creature, we all are bound to fear. Where as Every Death results in Birth. So there is a cycle of Fear that persist.
The basic gist of the book is that one needs to be at oneness with his own-self. One must learn the art of simplicity and the art of letting go. Suffering is something every human will exhibit. To get out of this cycle of suffering, you need to break the cycle of birth and rebirth, i.e. one need to look to attain "Enlightenment."
It is a book which provides enough food for ones mind to contemplate and look deep. But this food unlike many other books is not spicy, sweet or sour, but is rather very austere. It provides a beautiful outlook of Buddhist Culture prevailing primarily in the Eastern Part of the World. It focuses on the importance of simplicity in our lives.
While we run behind good career, generating revenue and compete with our peers, we forget the importance of contemplation and meditation.
We win a competition, we feel happy. We lose a competition, we feel sad. So, you see this happiness or regret is temporary and mostly relative to something materialistic But what most people do is they either get too excited or they get depressed by the outcome. The same is the case with monetary status. When you are financially stable, you go high. And when you have to go through a few rainy days, you go crazy or feel low.
Neither being too high nor being too low is something to look for, When one is neither affected by either. It is necessary that we develop a mental balance and try to achieve mental peace in order to live a happy life. **smile**( I don't know how many books before me have spoken this.) However it is true. What in my view is important, Affect that is caused over a human which actually is not post result issue but is owing to the expectation of human , which actually grew much before one took part in the event.
Then comes the importance of celibacy. Keeping a control over your desires and holding back from debauchery is one important aspect a human must keep in mind.Although in my view We still need to define the excess of something which leads to debauchery.**smile** We all want to show off our expensive possessions but in doing so we lose the simplicity of life. What we possess is for our own good. Adolescents often err with what they call true love. But it is just the hormonal excitement that they exhibit and often confused, tend to commit mistakes. The Author then also speaks that it is never like a fairy tale in the real life.
Ajahn Sumano Bhikkhu then explains about the fear of death. We all fear death because our society has taught us that death is an evil creature, we all are bound to fear. Where as Every Death results in Birth. So there is a cycle of Fear that persist.
The basic gist of the book is that one needs to be at oneness with his own-self. One must learn the art of simplicity and the art of letting go. Suffering is something every human will exhibit. To get out of this cycle of suffering, you need to break the cycle of birth and rebirth, i.e. one need to look to attain "Enlightenment."
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews