| A sometimes funny, Thailand
Buddha always thoughtful, action-packed spiritual travelogue
through Southeast Asia Thailand Buddha tradition
where the oldest form of Buddhism is slowly emerging from its post-Khmer
Rouge oppression Thailand Buddha.
The Gods Drink Whiskey is about a relatively unexplored part of
Buddhism-Thailand Buddha the Theravada
Buddhist tradition (considered the oldest and purest form of Buddhism,
which focuses on the historical Buddha) as it is manifested in Southeast
Thailand Buddha dharma Asia (Cambodia,
Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, etc.). An accomplished teacher, Asma
tells wonderful, exciting stories about his time in Southeast Asia
teaching Buddhist philosophy in Thailand Buddha
Phnom Penh years after that area (and its religion) was decimated
in the early 70s by the Communist Khmer Rouge and the invasion by
US and Thailand Buddha Vietnamese troops.
Through his first-hand experiences (of drinking with holy men and
poets, encounters with overzealous Thailand Buddha
Christian evangelical missionaries, witnessing a political assassination,
climbing mountains to visit ancient animistic temples, observing
the clash of Western pop culture and Southeast Thailand
Buddha culture Asian culture, etc.), Asma successfully teaches
the reader a great deal about Buddhism.
In addition to observations on Western/Eastern culture clash which
these books provide, the edge Asma has going for him is his academic
credentials and interests which focus his book more on explaining
the tenets and history of Buddhism within the context of a lively
travelogue.
* For armchair travellers and those interested in Buddhism and Eastern
Philosophy.
* Asma has a wonderful narrative style that draws the reader in
and keeps them reading-he's a born storyteller, and this book is
all about the stories-both his and the unusual people and places
he meets.
* There has been relatively little written about the Theravada Buddhist
tradition (the oldest branch, which focuses on the historical Buddha);
Asma explores and immerses himself in Theravada Buddhism as it's
practiced in Southeast Asia, and finds it much different than he
expected.
* Asma has taught Buddhism for several years, and in his travels,
experienced Buddhism in its many forms.
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