June 14, 2008 - Buddhism and Good Books

The great Zen philosopher, Groucho Marx, said: “Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.” Recommending a book is risky. As author Helen Exley wrote: “Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled ‘This could change your life.’”

Let me suggest some writings that can deepen your interaction with both spirit and intellect. The poetry of Langston Hughes — particularly as we have an election where racial perspective is an issue — is enlightening; the poem “Let America Be America Again” is quite provocative. Also the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay and Robert Frost is finely nuanced and subtly touches on spiritual themes.

The finest book I can recommend today is “Practicing Peace in Times of War” by the American Buddhist Nun, Pema Chodron. Although “Buddhist” in provenance, it is the most universally adaptable book on faith and nonviolence I have ever read.

But don’t think you actually have to “learn” anything this summer when you read. Just read and enjoy. Try reading something you may never have read before. Try “The Epic of Gilgamesh,” Plato’s “Apology,” Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” Shakespeare’s “Othello,” Jose Saramago’s “The Stone Raft,” the poetry of Basho, Hafiz, Rumi, Mirabai; the list is endless.

So many books, so little time. I agree with Longfellow who wrote, “The love of learning, the sequestered nooks, And all the sweet serenity of books.”