Phra Farang: An English Monk in Thailand by Phra Peter Pannapadipo

Phra Farang: An English Monk in Thailand Reviews

• 
  Shantiwallah

  It's been a while since I read this but I still remember enjoying it after chancing upon it at the old Bangkok airport. While he writes from the perspective of a foreiger who becomes a Buddhist monk in Thailand, many of the observations are of local Thai culture in general. Very interesting if you have spent any time in Thailand either working or as a tourist. He has since written a few other noteworthy books including a brilliant one called "Little angels" about the young monks who often occupy the monasteries in droves where they come from, and why they live in monasteries. I'm not sure how widely available this book is now (I see it has been republished in 2005), but if you happen to be in Thailand, you will most likely find it at Asia Books.
• 
  Ewe

  Amazing book! I would recommend it to everybody who is visiting or planning to visit Thailand. Author gives a short introduction to Buddhism and describes the way Thai monks live their life. He alone used to be a monk so his stories are from first hand. I was reading this during my vacation in Thailand and couldn't stop reading! The book makes you understand more about monks and Thai Buddhism. On top of that it is very well written and the money from it goes to Student Education Trust that helps poor young Thai to get higher education.
• 
  Erika Leaf

  Very straightforward depiction of life in a rural monastery in Thailand through the eyes of a British man who ordained as a buddhist monk. He is a good writer, a humble, honest person who depicts his blunders and challenges without ego and his genuine strivings as a monk plus the parts of a Thai monk's life that he couldn't quite embrace but came to understand and be at peace with. Very approachable writing. I loved the inside understanding of this part of Thai culture and would recommend it to anyone interested in Thailand's untouristed part and/or Thai buddhism.
• 
  Dave Calver

  Memories of an English Monk's experiences in Thailand
• 
  Carlos Miguel

  A good view from the inside of the Thai buddhism. However, the book didn't cover as much about how to meditate and the contrasts with the Western World.
• 
  Yupinto

  Refreshingly honest account of a farang monk in Thailand.
• 
  Molly

  I liked this book.
  The writing wasn't the best but his perspective was really interesting.
• 
  Chris

  Be not led by the authority of religious texts, not by the delight in speculative opinions, nor by seeming possibilities, not by the idea: 'this is our teacher'
  
  Who is whispering midlife crises when a successful British businessman of forty is turning into a Buddhist monk in Thailand?
  
  No that would me much too easy and would do short to Peters honest account of his life as a Buddhist monk. Alto he does not tell us much about his personal reasons to become a monk. For the first half of the book this kept me puzzled. Therefore the first two hundred pages of his book were just another interesting read where I was not personally involved.
  
  This changes after chapter nineteen where he begins to express his doubts. Doubts about his personal motives, doubts about the Thai way of Buddhism, doubts about how far his experience and experiments with meditation should go. Much to far I should say, when it leads to meditation in the still warm ovens of a crematorium.
  
  During my short stay at a forest monastery in Thailand I also saw some examples of this focus on death. In the temple were we meditated there always was a skeleton on display with next to it a photo of a young woman and a fetus in alcohol. I think there must be better ways to realize that we are not above aging, alto taking it at heart is for sure not an easy thing. Ways much more according to the path of the middle, which for me is a very central thought in the Buddhist teachings.
  
  Actually I was relieved to read that Peter started a charity organization to help Thai students –
  www.thaistudentcharity.org – After being a monk for ten years the success of this organization even leads to Peter disrobing, cease being a monk.
  
  Thereby showing an essential understanding of Buddhism, which is about leading a good life, in whatever form this may take.
  
  So a good read, especially the second half, about an interesting decade as monk. I am interested in the next decade.
  
  “Yes, Kālāmas, it is proper that your have doubt, that you have perplexity, for a doubt has arisen in a matter which is doubtful. Now, look you Kālāmas, do not be led by reports, or traditions, or hearsay. Be not led by the authority of religious texts, not by the delight in speculative opinions, nor by seeming possibilities, not by the idea: 'this is our teacher'. But, O Kālāmas, when you know for yourself that certain things are unwholesome, and wrong, and bad, then give them up... And when you know for yourself that certain things are wholesome and good, then accept them and follow them.”
  Gautama Buddha
  
• 
  Justin

  My wife and I picked this little volume up in an alley in Bangkok. I wanted to delve deeper into Thai culture and customs and also to understand more about the unique influences it has had on Thai Buddhism. Phra Peter does an excellent job of recounting the cultural differences between the west and thailand and also really explores the influence of animism and Bhraminism and Hinduism. I really enjoyed this book as it was part memoir, part travelogue and part spiritual awakening for me. I intend to read more of the now disrobed writer’s works and when I can contribute to the SET fund that he has so compassionately dedicated his life to.
• 
  Steve Hayden

  This is an interesting book that Peter Robinson wrote about his experience as a Buddhist monk. I was originally hoping for a bit of insight on how it was to be living in Thailand as he was a monk, but it was more of how he responded to his religious experience as he lived through the experience and what he felf as he ...developed his mental Budhist knowledge. Phra Farang is well written, reads well and I enjoyed it as a religious learning book not so much as a travel novel. Recommended for those interested in Buddhism not travel to Thailand.
• 
  Massey Pierce

  This book has a lot of detail about a personal experience of a London businessman traveling to Thailand to become a monk. Don't read this expecting to learn everything about Buddhism, read this instead to get an experience of one particular case of someone transforming into a monk. You'll learn a bit about the practice, but you'll learn more about Peter. There are funny parts, serious parts, and parts where you'll think it drags on a bit. It's all very real though and well written.
• 
  Dennis

  Must Read: 5
  Kept Attention: 5
  Well-Written: 5
  Meaningful: 5
  Accessible: 5
  
  A good account that makes understandable why some follow a monastic life, without romanticizing it. Having been there myself (Orthodox and Anglican), I appreciate that it says so well what is often difficult to explain to others.
  
  First read: June 12, 2011
• 
  Jason Jones

  Excellent book that highlights not only the religious culture of Thailand but also emphasises many social aspects of the country in great detail, a worthwhile read before embarking on a trip to Thailand.
• 
  Nina

  Surprisingly enjoyable novel about thai buddhism, even though it was somewhat difficult to comprehend every now and again. It was nice to read about all the cultural mishaps Phra Peter experienced as a monk.
• 
  Lisa

  An interesting read if you are in Thailand visiting wats. Good insight into the life of monks.
• 
  Nathan

  Pretty good. There are a few sections that really stand out, but mainly it was ok.