What are rituals; if not ancient practices; unchanged throughout generations? Yet; if we compare the rituals described in late Second Temple texts to those in the Hebrew Bible it is apparent that rituals do change. Were such rituals practiced; or were they forms of textual imagination? How do rituals change and how are such changes authorized? Do textual innovation and ritual innovation relate?
#4793935 in Books Ingramcontent 2004-09-15Original language:English 8.50 x .56 x 5.51l; #File Name: 1944529594184 pagesVenerable Father
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Very interestingBy Donna RichesonI got interested in learning more about Buddhism after a recent trip to Burma. I started with some basic books about The Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path along with some others. By-the-way; I found the books by Bhikkhu Bodhi superb in communicating the teachings. Somehow; I stumbled across the teachings of Ajahn Chah -- a Thai Forest monk/abbot in northeastern Thailand. I spotted this book; Venerable Father; in relation to Ajahn Chah. Paul Breiter; the author; became one of the early western monks who practiced under the teacher Ajahn Chah. I found it fascinating to read about the personal life and practice of a young Buddhist monk. I found Breiter's writing engaging -- a memoir style. He had a rough go of it; and he readily confesses to his struggles and complaints. Through one person's journey you get some of the cultural feel for the life of a monk -- and a Thai Forest monk at that -- much more ascetic apparently. I found the book engaging and recommend it if you are curious and interested about a monk's life and the challenges of a young western monk trying to decide if this is the life for him.22 of 24 people found the following review helpful. A moving tribute -- and a guide to life as it might be livedBy Sean HoadeI've bought and read both Being Dharma and Still Forest Pool; and enjoyed them very much. But Venerable Father is far superior to them in giving this soft American a real idea of what it was like studying under and living with Ajahn Chah. I both envy Paul Breiter for his experience; and am really glad it was him rather than me going through it! :)But seriously; this humble yet assured voice resonates throughout the book. Yes; it is the skill and compassion of Luang Por that is responsible for the quality of much of the book; but truly Breiter's frank evaluations of his experiences during and after life as a forest monk makes this much different from other; more traditional memoirs that I have read. I'm not saying that he's enlightened with a capital E; but during the course of the book the training (when fully followed; as Ajahn Chah taught) seems to automatically make the monks into more awake; more compassionate; less suffering people. The importance of even trivial-sounding Vinaya rules becomes apparent; and thus Chah's way is illuminated.The sections of the book after he disrobes are even better. You can take the monk out of the forest (and his robes); but you can't take the forest out of the monk. These chapters were poignant and in some cases very funny indeed. Ajahn Chah's total intuitive understandng; and effortlessly devastating criticism; of Mahayana double-talk was especially amusing. For instance; to the Mahayana claim that we don't need to do anything to improve because our nature is originally perfect; when he says that's like saying if you put sh*t on a silver platter; you don't need to clean it before eating from it because the platter was originally clean! But all the time he is understanding totally how Mahayana; for all its linguistic troubles and even theological difficulties; is as dedicated to the path of freedom and compassion in its own very different way as is the Forest School.This book is a gift. It gives us the feeling of sitting at Luang Por's feet -- the wonder and the horror of it; a highly (even totally) awakened master teaching each student to match his or her understanding; and a mischievous old man pushing his monks to the very edge of sanity; or a little beyond. I know I wouldn't want him tugging on my robes and laughing while I was trying to give a first Dhamma talk in Thai; but it would have been amazing to know and love this man. Venerable Father is as close as any of us will come to Ajahn Chah; and we have Paul Breiter to thank for it. I'm incredibly inspired to ordain; even more than before. Scared; too; of course; but living under the Vinaya sounds like a pure and productive way to live.If you want to read Luang Por's words and get even more inspired; buy and read Being Dharma and Still Forest Pool; too!NOTE: Be sure to buy this book in the Paraview edition. There are other; unauthorized reprints out there; and this is a beautiful volume.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Sadhu!By Jonathan SintigoThis is really a beautiful book; I nearly stayed up all night reading it. You here often times about books that the author really makes it feel like you're actually there; but wow - this one really made it felt like you were there; as Ajahn Chah as your own personal teacher. With witty humor; the author made Ajahn really come alive and touch the hearts of his readers.I definitely recommend this book; to followers of Ajahn Chah; to Buddhists; to beginners and to those who have never before touched dhamma in their lives - this piece is truly a gem!
