Through the art of story, bridging 2500-year-old Buddhist teachings to our contemporary world.

How the Root of Kindness Works is based on the second of The Six Perfections, commonly translated as The Perfection of “Moral and Ethical Discipline” or “Guarding Alertness” which as we understand from the teachings, is the root of kindness.

How the Root of Kindness Works follows Troy’s journey with the theme of “when the student is ready the master appears.” In this book Troy meets Abe, a Vietnam War veteran. Their conversations flow from Abe’s experiences in the war, to Kerouac, and then to Buddhist philosophy and teachings. Through these conversations, Troy learns that there is a way to turn the pain of loss and dark regrets into a path where kindness replaces grief, and compassion replaces fear.

As readers, we have an opportunity to become familiar with and to deepen our understanding of things like karma, impermanence, purification of negative karma, equanimity, and bodhicitta. The story demonstrates how even in our contemporary western culture we can apply these ancient teachings in our daily life.

To highlight the teachings illustrated in the story, verses from Master Shantideva’s* teaching are interspersed throughout the book.

How the Root of Kindness Works is a small book of about 130 pages. Before each meeting, participants are asked to read approximately 65 (short) pages. When we meet, we will discuss the situations, challenges, and “lessons” the characters present and how they relate to our own lives.