Sons of the Buddha

"Using lively prose, anecdotes, and illustrations, Kamala Tiyavanich tells the early life stories of three Buddhist masters, who have many devoted followers, both in Thailand and North America. Ajahn Buddhadasa (1906-93), Ajahn Panya (b. 1911), and Ajahn Jumnien (b.1936), all monks and abbots of monasteries, have been highly influential in Thai society and tireless in their work and teaching. A preacher must have common sense, know how to turn everyday life experience into Dharma lessons, and be able to accurately assess the needs of his audience. Sons of the Buddha shows how three boys evolved into remarkable embodiments of the "preacher" ideal. Each would effect changes in moral attitudesand Dharma practices, restore Buddhism's social dimension, bridge the divide separating laypeople and monastics, and champion openmindedness toward other religions. In these delightful stories - full of local color - we see what it was that led them to become so fearless and influential." from back cover.