Bhikkhu P.A. Payutto lives a learning life of ordinary Buddhist monk. As a scholar of the Pali Canon, he explained the intricate teaching of the Buddha’s Dhamma in terms that suite the modern mind. As a teacher, he skillfully applies the Dhamma to multi-discipline knowledge of today’s world. Venerable P.A. Payutto’s works are recognized internationally and he is the recipient of the 1994 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education.

Excerpted from the eBook
"In Buddhist teachings absence of illness is considered a great wealth. However, Venerable P.A.Payutto never considers his poor health a misfortune, but he always regards illness as learning experience and health limitation as an opportunity to concentrate on writing. Other people would consider such ailments an incredible misfortune, but he sees his health as a wealth of knowledge."

"Bhikkhu P.A. Payutto has used the squirrel as part of the Dhamma teaching a difference between skillful desire (chanda) and unskillful desire (taṇhā) by giving a witty example: Chanda is a desire to see a squirrel living well in its natural environment, but taṇhā is a desire to have the squirrel as dinner."

"If we see the task as a waste of time and effort, we will never accomplish the work properly, and certainly be suffering through the entire process. On the other hand, as we find the work meaningful, we are willing to persevere to see the task accomplished. Worthwhile happiness then comes from such wholesome and skillful process."