The captivating life story of a renowned Siamese Buddhist activist, critic, and indomitable defender of the disenfranchised Matteo Pistono's deft prose weaves together the story of Sulak Sivaraksa’s years of social-justice work and his tireless campaigns to effect change. As a seminal figure in the world of socially engaged spirituality, Sulak has given us a blueprint for peaceful, nonviolent activism in the twenty-first century. Sulak is the founder of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists and dozens of other organizations promoting civil justice and human rights. More than forty vintage and historical black-and-white photos illustrate both his life and a turbulent period in Thailand's history. Reviews: “Although material advances have contributed enormously to human welfare, they cannot create lasting happiness by themselves. I believe [Sulak]and I share a conviction that if we are to solve human problems, economic and technological development must be accompanied by an inner spiritual growth. And if we succeed in fulfilling both these goals, we will surely create a happier and more peaceful world.” —His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama “[Sulak]offers a clear picture of what is going on, and he does so as a participant, not just as an observer. He is a teacher and an organizer, a bodhisattva who devotes all his energies to helping others.” —Thich Nhat Hanh, author of Living Buddha, Living Christ "This rare and powerful book conveys the powerful spirit of a true humanitarian and courageous human being, Sulak Sivaraksa. Roar is the roar of a lion of a man, whose vision of human liberation is an example for us all. Written with rugged honesty and utter clarity, this book is a great treasure that teaches us all that compassion in action is the very heart of ethics. Bravo! All who know [Sulak]have been waiting for the full story of his life and work.” —Roshi Joan Halifax, Upaya Zen Center, author of Standing at the Edge “By the pivotal nature of his work, which bridges the artificial divides of North and South, Buddhist and non-Buddhist, self and other, bringing a healthy mix of universalism and concern for local culture, and by the exemplary courage he has manifested in ‘speaking truth to power,’ Sulak Sivaraksa has made, and continues to make, a major contribution to peace and justice in his native Thailand, as well as in the world as a whole.” —Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate from Northern Ireland
“[Sulak] is an old friend and an inspiring, amazing figure in world Buddhism. Roaroffers a marvelous and compelling story of his courage and audacity, of [Sulak’s] extraordinary place in the modern history of Thailand, and his creative, feisty, unstoppable force of compassion and wisdom.” —Jack Kornfield, author of No Time Like the Present
“[Sulak] is one of the heroes of our time, offering us deep wisdom and refreshingly sane alternatives to the earth-destroying religions of consumerism, greed, and exploitation.” —Joanna Macy, author of World as Lover, World as Self About the Author Matteo Pistono was born and raised in Wyoming. He holds a Masters of Arts degree in Indian Philosophy from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. After working with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. on Tibetan cultural programs, Pistono lived and traveled throughout the Himalayas for a decade, bringing to the West graphic accounts and photos of China’s human rights abuses in Tibet. He is the author of Meditation: Coming to Know Your Mind, Fearless in Tibet: The Life of the Mystic Tertön Sogyal, and In the Shadow of the Buddha: One Man’s Journey of Discovery in Tibet. His writing and photography have appeared in the Washington Post, Men’s Journal, Kyoto Journal, Tricycle.org, Lionsroar.com, HIMAL South Asia, and on BBC News. Pistono spent three years researching and writing Roar, interviewing individuals in Thailand, the United States, India, Japan, England, and Germany. He recorded more than 50 hours of interviews with Sulak and traveled with him extensively throughout Thailand, the United States, and India, and had access to Sulak’s personal library, and large circle of friends, colleagues, and associates. |