Roar

February 1, 2019

With this latest work, Pistono (In the Shadow of the Buddha) alludes to passages from two important Buddhist scriptures in the Pali cannon to frame the life and work of Thai intellectual and activist Sulak Sivaraska (b. 1933). Sulak critiqued both the Thai monarchy and the sangha, which served as a call to action for socially engaged Buddhists and activists in Thailand but was perceived as a threat to the monarchy. However, Sulak's criticism was rooted in a deep-seated loyalty to both institutions and the desire to preserve Siamese culture and identity. Pistono weaves Sulak's biography with Thai political history to illuminate Sulak's journey to becoming a high-profile intellectual and provocative leader of Buddhist activism in Thailand. In addition, Pistono highlights the role that Sulak's exposure to Western culture and religion, particularly the Quakers, played in developing an ecumenical version of the religion that he believed would lead to both social and spiritual transformation. VERDICT Readers interested in the intersections of social justice and religion will likely enjoy a non-Western perspective of a provocative and controversial figure. Also suitable for readers seeking a basic introduction to modern Thai political history.--Amanda Folk, Ohio State Univ. Libs.

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