Surprised by the facts written in the book, I was thoroughly moved by the analogy, story, reflection and insight. The book for everyone who wishes that life is merely empty –exist, or doesn’t exist.
This book has far more reaching views of one inner self, peace, vegetarianism, meditation, maroon robes and shaved head. The views written in the book don't mean to differentiate between different religions –people, race and background. It means to say that everyone is exactly the same no matter where one lives, eats, does, and preaches. Everything under the sun is absolutely the same and experiences the same cause and condition, no matter how small, or big are the size.
I liked the concept and logic shared to explain the difference between the beautiful and ugly –the concept of beauty and ugly however is very phenomenal and unique and very significant, but both are all the same in different eyes. The idea of Heaven and Hell is very much similar and resounding to what I have been thinking for long. My logic of these two unknown and overly complex entirety is very same although I do not have any right and expertise, but my idea and thinking to what book laid down was similar –once while spending a time with my students, the topic of Heaven and Hell came out of nowhere and while throwing my views on these, I told them because of certain cause and conditions, if one become happy, that moment is a Heaven state. To make them understand Hell, I gave an example of an Earthworm. As I explained to them, I told them that as long as the Earthworm is inside the earth, or in its nest, it experiences the Heaven state but the time it comes out of its nest and has to experience certain unexpected causes and conditions, it will be in the state of Hell. Simply putting them in the fire, or putting them in the water, it experiences a state different to the nest and that is a seemingly Hell state for it.
However, the law of emptiness stated was very much real but needs a lot of imagination and thinking and reflection. It was also a great lesson to learn on having a satisfactory, peaceful and free lifestyle. Perhaps, the ideas of impermanence were vast but interesting and useful. Similarly the book also has great lessons on ways for a happy and beautiful life. Through the path taken by Siddhartha, there always lies a hope and goodness of life. The positive and negative are absolutely the same in Buddhist philosophy was another pile of ideas I had while reading the book.
One of the interesting topics I came across was –Heaven: The Ultimate Vacation, a beautiful Buddhist narration shared on the topic was something extraordinary. As I read through the lines and paragraphs, it gave me a nostalgic feeling about the poem I read a decade ago in English Class. Death: The Leveler –The power, social status, wealth and intellect becomes nothing as one heads to the final state of life. However, the goodness and virtuousness of people will be honored even after death. The bagger is exactly the same as the most decorated and wealthy man when death toll the final breath. Therefore, multiplying good deeds when one has time and energy is a must for everyone. Knowing all these impermanence, why Gautama Buddha abandoned his Royal Fortune and Status had shunned me and kept me glued to the very last lines. However, the Author of the Book doesn't mean to highlight the need to follow the Buddha path nor one has to become Buddhist; it simply means what makes a good human being while one has taken a human form on this Earth.
Reading this book gave me a lot of lessons. It was eye opening for many invisible and untaught lessons at school. Perhaps, bigger and more useful to life than what I have learnt in school. Understanding of life and the concept of impermanence and every compounded thing are bound to die are something to ponder upon seriously.
Overall, the book gave a lot of valuable lessons. So there is no need to be different from others to be a Buddha, or Buddhist. One's good action is a Buddha path. Whether one lives in California, Sahara, Paris, Amsterdam, Beirut, Cape Town, Oymyakon, practicing Buddhism is absolutely free that doesn't require books, or text, or background. Anyone. Anywhere. Anytime can practice Buddhism and lead the way for a peaceful self, community and country.
Let me share you this line –if what makes you NOT a Buddhist is a doubt, what makes you a Buddhist is a far cry.
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