Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung?: Inspiring Stories for Welcoming Life's Difficulties by Ajahn Brahm Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung?: Inspiring Stories for Welcoming Life's Difficulties
Book Review: Wonderful book!
Summary: 5 Stars
My kids age 7 and 11 ask for this as a bedtime read. good way to impart wisdom without being preachy. The stories speak to adults as well!Book Review: Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung?
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this for my husband. He loved it.Book Review: I couldn't put it down.
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book from cover to cover in a matter of a few days. I couldn't seem to put it down. Ajan Brahm has a unique and humorous way of presenting the simple truths that make up Buddhism. Book Review: Ajahn Brahm At His Best
Summary: 5 Stars
Ajahn Brahm nails the practical applications of Theravadan Buddhism in this book with a wonderful collection of inspirational stories and jokes. Many of these are from his Friday Night Dhamma Talk series that you can listen to on his Bodhiyana website. He is a wonderful story teller and an inspiring Dhamma teacher who can always be counted on to put a smile on your face, even in times of deep despair.
I spent many months trying to teach my mother about Buddhism, but without success. Then I convinced her to listen to one of the stories found in this book and she instantly became an Ajahn Brahm fan (if not a full Buddhist).
I understand the positive spirit and happy tenor of these stories as a skilful means of offsetting the traditional dour, quiet view of Theravadan Buddhism. However, if I have one caution (rather than an outright criticism), it is that the continuous refrain of "looking on the bright side" may lead many beginners to continually seek and attach to happiness and avoid or deny the painful side of life. This can actually foster further delusions, the very ones that people should be trying to get out of and lead to more suffering and disillusionment in the long run.
I won't consider this as a criticism as I understand that it is very difficult to sell Buddhism, let alone explain it, to lay persons with little or no understanding of Buddhism. Telling them to accept pain and negative situations in equal measure as the positive and happy times often ends any nascent interest right then and there. Moreover, a positive, happy approach definitely surmounts the unhelpful stereotype of the monk in solitary confinement denying everything.
Nonetheless, it's good to read this book along with other authors as Ajahn Chah or Ajahn Sumedho to gain a fuller perspective.
This book would serve as a good Christmas or birthday gift for someone not acquainted with Buddhism.
Book Review: Delightful!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book has been a treat to read from beginning to end. Ajahn Brahm has powerful messages packaged in delightful, simple stories. I am sharing some of the stories with my children as a basis for insightful discussions and introspection. Although I have read many books on Buddhism, I think I have learned the most from this easy to read book.