Sree Buddha – His Principles and Speeches Review: A Rare Book That Slows Your Mind and Changes How You See Life

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5 out of 5)

Why I Took My Time With This Book

I did not rush through Sree Buddha – His Principles and Speeches. Not because it is heavy or difficult, but because it demands presence. This is not the kind of book you skim between notifications. It asks you to pause, reflect, and sometimes sit with ideas longer than you planned.

Written by Dr. Vijayan Chottanikkara, this book feels less like something produced for the market and more like something offered. That difference shows on almost every page. You can sense that this work comes from years of teaching, observing people, listening to suffering, and watching how modern life keeps giving answers that do not actually help.

The author states clearly that this book is not meant to be academic posturing or historical obsession. And thankfully, it is not. Instead, it feels like a bridge between ancient wisdom and very present human problems. Anxiety. Restlessness. Ego. Confusion. Emotional burnout. Moral fatigue.

Those issues are not named loudly. They are addressed gently, with patience, and without preaching.

First Impressions and the Tone of the Book

The opening pages already set a strong foundation. The dedication, author’s note, and preface are not filler. They tell you exactly what kind of reader this book is meant for. Not monks alone. Not scholars alone. But ordinary people who sense that something essential is missing from daily life.

Dr. Vijayan Chottanikkara writes with reverence for Buddha, but never places Buddha on a pedestal that feels unreachable. That matters. Buddha is presented as a human being who awakened, not as a distant divine figure. That framing changes how you read every chapter that follows.

There is a calm confidence in the writing. Not confidence that demands agreement, but confidence that comes from clarity.

How the Book Is Structured and Why It Works

The book is thoughtfully organized into sections that flow naturally:

• Life and awakening of Siddhartha

• Core principles like the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path

• Ethical and social vision

• Major speeches and suttas

• Modern relevance including mental health and psychotherapy

This structure matters because it mirrors how understanding actually grows. First context. Then insight. Then application.

What I appreciated most is that the author does not rush to interpretation. He lets the teachings breathe before connecting them to modern psychology or social life. That restraint makes the insights feel earned.

The Life of Buddha as More Than History

Many books retell Buddha’s life. Fewer make it feel meaningful beyond facts. This one succeeds.

When the author describes Siddhartha’s encounter with old age, sickness, and death, it does not read like mythology. It reads like a moment every human being faces sooner or later. That recognition hit close to home for me. We all have that moment when comfort collapses and questions appear that entertainment cannot answer.

The Great Renunciation chapter is especially powerful. Not because it glorifies leaving family or society, but because it reframes renunciation as inner honesty. That idea stayed with me. Renunciation here means letting go of illusions that quietly harm us, not abandoning responsibility.

Core Teachings Explained Without Dilution

Explaining the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path without making them sound repetitive or abstract is not easy. Dr. Chottanikkara manages this by grounding them in lived experience.

Suffering is not presented as a philosophical concept. It is shown as something we see daily in subtle ways. Desire is not condemned, but examined. The path is not described as a moral checklist, but as a training of awareness, speech, action, and intention.

I especially appreciated how the book explains that Buddha did not teach blind belief. He encouraged verification. That approach feels refreshing in a time when many belief systems demand loyalty without understanding.

The Sections on Ethics and Equality

The chapters on compassion, non violence, and social equality deserve special mention. Buddha’s challenge to caste, hierarchy, and exclusion is presented clearly and without dilution.

The book makes it impossible to separate spirituality from ethics. You cannot claim inner growth while ignoring injustice. That message feels deeply relevant today, when spirituality is often marketed as self improvement while avoiding responsibility toward others.

The inclusion of women in the Sangha is also treated with respect and seriousness. It is not a footnote. It is shown as a radical and meaningful act that reshaped spiritual history.

Buddha as a Teacher, Not an Authority

One of the strongest parts of the book is how it portrays Buddha as a teacher. Not as a ruler of truth, but as a guide who adapts to the listener.

The idea of teaching through dialogue, silence, parables, and lived example feels deeply human. The Buddha here does not dominate conversations. He listens. He waits. He speaks when it helps.

That teaching style itself becomes a lesson. In a world full of loud opinions, this approach feels almost revolutionary.

Modern Relevance Without Forcing Parallels

Many spiritual books force modern relevance. This one does not.

When the author connects Buddha’s teachings to mental health, psychotherapy, and social harmony, it feels organic. The parallels are clear without being overstated. The Four Noble Truths as a framework for psychological healing makes sense, not because it is trendy, but because it is honest.

I found myself reflecting on how often modern therapy focuses on symptom management while avoiding deeper questions of craving, identity, and fear. This book does not reject modern psychology. It complements it.

Why This Book Matters in Practical Life

This book matters because it does not promise escape. It offers clarity.

It helps readers:

• Understand why suffering persists even when life looks successful

• Recognize patterns of craving and avoidance

• Develop ethical clarity without guilt

• Build awareness instead of suppression

It does not ask you to become Buddhist. It asks you to become attentive.

That difference is important.

Who Should Read This Book

You should read this book if:

• You feel mentally crowded despite having information

• You are interested in Buddhism beyond quotes and summaries

• You work in education, counseling, healing, or leadership

• You want wisdom that does not insult your intelligence

You may struggle with this book if:

• You want quick motivation

• You expect shortcuts or promises

• You prefer loud spiritual language

This is a book for readers who value depth over speed.

About the Author and Trustworthiness

Dr. Vijayan Chottanikkara writes as an educator, counselor, and long time seeker. That background shows. There is no urgency to impress. No attempt to sound clever. The authority comes from consistency and care.

You can trust this voice because it does not compete. It shares.

Final Reflection

I finished Sree Buddha – His Principles and Speeches feeling steadier, not elevated. And that felt right. The book does not lift you away from life. It brings you back to it with clearer eyes.

Some books give answers. This one helps you ask better questions. And those questions stay with you long after the final page.