IV. Biographies
Anagarika Dharmapala: A
Biographical Sketch, Bhikshu
Sangharakshita, Kandy: BPS, 1964, 3rd ed., 98p., (WH 70/72). A brief
biography of Sri Lankan Bhikkhu Sri Devamitta Dhammapala, the leader of Buddhist
revival in Sri Lanka and India.(Bi#006)
Autobiography of a Forest
Monk, Ven. Ajahn Tate (Phra
Rajanirodharangsee), Nongkhai, Thailand: Wat Hin Mark Peng, 12th ed.,
1993, 314p., 974-8361-70-5. The fascinating life story of a senior forest monk
and meditation master of Northeast Thailand.(Bi#008)
Autobiography of Phra Ajaan
Lee, Thanissaro Bhikkhu (transl.),
[Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Wisdom Audio Visual Exchange (WAVE)], [1994], 198p. A
life story of one of the foremost teachers in the Thai forest ascetic tradition
in the 20th century. The book is a selection of incidents in his life
that make good stories and for good lessons.(Bi#155)
Buddhist Women at the Time
of the Buddha, Hellmuth Hecker, Kandy:
BPS, 1982, 72p., (WH 292/293). Brief biographies of eight Buddhist women with
quotations from the Therigatha (Verses of the Elder
nuns).(Bi#030)
Disciples of the
Buddha, Zenno Ishigami (ed.), Tokyo:
Kosei Pub., 1989, 206p., 4-333-01423-9. Relates the stories of ten great
disciples of the Buddha as well as those of eighteen other devotees - male and
female, lay and ordained.(Bi#035)
Edwin Arnold, William Peiris, Kandy: BPS, 1970, 102p., (WH 159/161).
A brief account of Sir Edwin Arnold's life and contributions to the spreading of
Buddhism in the West in the late 19th
century.(Bi#038)
First Ten Years of Suan
Mokkh, Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, Bangkok:
Dhamma Study & Practice Group, 1990, 66p. An early autobiographical account
of the founder of Suan Mokkhabalarama (The Grove of the Power of Liberation), an
eminent forest Dhamma center in southern Thailand.(Bi#041)
Forest Meditations: the
Verses of Arahant Talaputa Thera,
Bhikkhu Khantipalo (transl.), 1977, Kandy: BPS, 61p., (WH 243-244). These
eloquent verses, from the Theragatha, chronicle the many "conversations" that
Venerable Talaputa, a former actor and contemporary of the Buddha, had with his
own mind during the course of his practice. As these verses reveal, while he was
still a layperson, Talaputa yearned deeply for a life more in harmony with
Dhamma. Following his ordination, his stern admonishments of his unruly mind
ultimately led him to his ultimate goal: final liberation. The translator's easy
conversational commentary sheds light on these verses from several different
angles, and paints Talaputa as an exemplar of the ancient forest meditation
tradition that still lives today.(Bi#044)
Freedom in Exile: the
Autobiography of the Dalai Lama,
Bstan-'dzin-rgya-mtsho, Dalai Lama XIV, New York: HarperCollins, 1990, 288p.,
006-039116-2. The candid life story of the religious and secular head of Tibet
and winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize.(Bi#084)
Great Disciples of the
Buddha: their Lives, their Works, their Legacy. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2003, 411p.,
0-86171-381-8. In this inspiring book, 24 of the Buddha's most distinguished
disciples are brought to light in ten chapters of rich narration, drawn from a
wide range of authentic Pali sources. Through these engaging tales, we meet all
manner of human beings - rich, poor, male, female, young, and old. These stories
can sharpen our understanding of the Buddhist path by allowing us to contemplate
the living portraits of the people who transformed their minds through their
encounters with the Buddha and fulfilled the early Buddhist ideals of human
perfection.(Bi#270)
Life of
Sariputta, Nyanaponika Thera, Kandy:
BPS, 1966, 112p., (WH 90-92), 955-24-0015-5. A biography of the monk who was
second only to the Buddha in the depth and range of his understanding, and in
his ability to teach the Dhamma. He was a man unique in his patience and
steadfastness, modest and upright, and kind.(Bi#245)
Lotus in the Fire: The
Healing Power of Zen, Jim Bedard,
Boston: Shambhala Pubs., 1999, 188p., 1-57062-430-5. In 1995, Jim Bedard was
diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and given ten days to live. This is the
story of how he used Zen practice to bring himself into full contact with a
death sentence as well as painful medical treatment, including chemotherapy and
a bone marrow transplant. It is also the inspiring story of how the faith of his
family, Zen teacher, friends, and the Toronto Buddhist community supported his
survival in the face of incredibly narrow odds.(Bi#269)
Maha Kassapa, Father of the
Sangha, Hellmuth Hecker, (Lives of the
Disciples), Kandy: BPS, 1987, 37p, WH 345, 955-24-0026-0. A biographical sketch
of a monk who was held in great respect on account of his disciplined and
austere life devoted to meditation. He was elected to preside over the First
Council of the Sangha. Much later, in China and Japan, Maha Kassapa came to be
regarded as the first patriarch of Ch'an or Zen
Buddhism.(Bi#202)
Nyanaponika: A Farewell
Tribute, Bhikkhu Bodhi (ed.), Kandy:
BPS, 1995, 70p, 955-24-0130-5.Venerable Nyanaponika Mahathera (1901-1994) was a
German-born Buddhist monk who was a major figure in the transmission of the
Buddha's teachings to the modern world. He co-founded the Buddhist Publication
Society and served as its long-term spiritual guide. This volume contains a life
sketch, bibliography, appreciations, and other
documents.(Bi#203)
Nyanatiloka Centenary
Volume, Nyanaponika Thera (ed.), Kandy:
Buddhist Publication Society, 1978, 71p. Nyanatiloka Mahathera was a German
scholar-monk of renown who made Sri Lanka his home. This volume comprises his
biography, personal tributes, and articles by monks and lay scholars. The BPS
issued the booklet on the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of
this monk who worked diligently to spread the Buddha's teachings to the Western
world in the 20th century.(Bi#258)
One Night's Shelter: the
Autobiography of an American Buddhist Monk, Bhikkhu Yogavacara Rahula, Selangor, Malaysia: Nalanda
Buddhist Society, 2002, 3rd ed., 370p. A frank account of a
Californian who grew up in the hippie revolution, experimented with illicit
drugs, joined the US Army, encountered Buddhist teachers in Asia, became a
seeker of Truth, and ordained as a Buddhist monk.(Bi#061)
Traversing the Great
Himalaya: a photo documentary,
Venerable Yogavacara Rahula, High View, WV: Bhavana Society, 2001, 96p. A
chronicle of Bhante Rahula's 700-mile journey across the Himalayas in the late
1990's. Includes numerous colour photographs and the author's insightful
comments about events on the path of life.(Bi#264)
Venerable Acariya Mun
Bhuridatta Thera: a Spiritual Biography, (compiled by) Ven. Acariya Maha Boowa Nanasampanno,
Bangkok, Thailand: 2004, 497p., 974-92007-4-8. A detailed and sometimes
incredible biography of the best-known meditation master of his time (b. 1870)
in the form of a compilation of accounts from his contemporary
disciples.(B#170)
Venerable Father: A Life
with Ajahn Chah, Paul Breiter, Bangkok:
Buddhadhamma Foundation, 1994, 179p., 974-89072-8-7. A charming and fascinating
personal account of a Westerner who was a monk in Thailand for seven years in
the 1970s. He practiced under the guidance of Ajahn Chah, for whom he developed
an incredibly high regard and gratitude.(Bi#242)