GLENN WALLIS has a Ph.D. in Sanskrit and Indian Studies from Harvard. He is assistant professor of religion at the University of Georgia and the author of Mediating the Power of Buddhas and numerous articles.
The Dhammapada, one of the most popular texts of the Buddhist canon, presents 423 short (mostly four-line) verses organized in 26 topical chapters. Aphoristic sayings attributed to the Buddha, these verses are intended to help struggling practitioners keep to the path and be mindful of "what is most important in life." Wallis (Buddhism, Hinduism, & Eastern religions, Univ. of Georgia; Meditating the Power of Buddhas) has rendered a clear, readily accessible translation that preserves the Buddhist connotation in language understandable to nonspecialist Western readers. His accompanying "Guide to Reading the Text" provides an introduction to each chapter while also illuminating notes and copious bibliographic references. Although this is another in a long line of English translations of this core title, most public and academic libraries will want to add it for its readability, the alternative reading many patrons will seek, and the utility of the concluding guide, which will prove useful to those seeking further context. Highly recommended.-James R. Kuhlman, Univ. of North Carolina at Asheville, Lib. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
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