Little Angels

Author : Phra Peter Pannapadipo : 281 pages

Y : 2001

Phra Peter Pannapadipo is an English monk, who have lived in Thailand for more than 10 years, in various city, rural,forest monasteries. In each monastery, there are usually several novice monks. The novice monks are usually from early teen to late teens, though some as young as 7 years or as old as 20.

This book is a collection of 12 real life stories of Thai novice monks. It traces the novice family background and how they become novices. The reasons are as varied as the novices - some for spiritual development, sometime for social reasons. Sometime because they are ophrans or the family are so poor that not ordaining into the monasteries mean hunger. The novices are chosen randomly and the suffering they gone through can be heart rendering. It is sad and a reminder that suffering know no boundary. Even children experience them. Some are shocking.

Friends of Phra Peter has set up a trust fund to give scholarship to those who have gotten a place in the universities, but cannot afford it. Known as Student Education's Trust , those interested can contact Phra Peter at phrapeter@hotmail.com Wat Worranatbanpot, Thammavitee Road, Nakhon Sawan, Thailand.

Other books by Pra Peter Pannapadipo :

Phra Farang : an English monk in Thailand - funny and honest.

The stories are readable and can be read independently. It also portray to the readers, what life in countryside Thailand are like.

Blue Jean Buddha

Author/Editor : Sumi Loundon, Graduate Student, Havard Divinity School 235 pages.

This is a collection of articles contributed by over 28 "young" buddhists, below 30s. A very readable book, each article can be read on its own. The contributors come from a very wide background of different races, growing up in US. In each life experience, Buddhism is an influential thread in their life. Majority of them are now in profession works that involve caring in some form. It is interesting to note that most of them have been exposed to Buddhism since young ie their parents were Buddhists, etc . For parents, this can be heartening reminder that we need to plant the Dharma see in our children. Whether they understand Buddhism, it may not matter so much. The rest is their karma, as to whether they leverage on Buddhism, as they grow up and become more aware of suffering or trying to find happiness.

Most of the contributors, I would categorise as not being in the "mainstream" America. One contributor Elujah Ary, is recognised by the Dalai Lama as a reincarnate of Tibetan scholar !.

Maybe, because of their background and experience, they can relate better their spiritual experience. It may be interesting to also have a book written on the young Buddhists, who are working in mainstream jobs like sales, marketing, engineering, medical in private, public listed companies. and how if Buddhism play a role in their daily life.

It will be also be interesting to write a similar book, based on young Asian buddhists, those where Buddhism is dominant like Thailand, Mynamar and those where Buddhism is not dominant, but not a minority religon like Singapore, Malaysia.
or those in countries where Buddhism is losing ground like Korea, or where Buddhism is fledging like Philippines. How much role does Buddhism play in their life, as a spiritual guide or as a tradition or practice as part of culture.