(264 pp., HarperOne, 2007)

In the introduction to his latest book, Lama Surya Das gives us his one-word definition of a bodhisattva: “awakener.” He then proves himself worthy of the title as he skillfully guides us through the ten traditional Buddhist paramitas, or “perfections,” on the way to living an enlightened life. As in all his books, Lama Surya Das does not rely on traditional methods or metaphors, and he is constantly illuminating the Dharma in the context of twenty-first-century Western life. He uses real-life characters as examples of bodhisattvas: his Uncle Bill, nicknamed “Can-Do Willy” because he was always helping people fix their broken machines or difficult life issues; and baseball legend Jackie Robinson, for his patience and forbearance. Buddha Is As Buddha Does is full of wonderful stories, potent quotes and some very good Dharma. In short, it’s an awakener.

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From the Fall 2007 issue of Inquiring Mind (Vol. 24, No. 1)

© 2007 Wes Nisker