Why the Buddha loved lists so much

Sometimes it seems as if all of Buddhism is just lists: the three refuges, the four noble truths, the six worlds, the seven awakening factors… They emphasize the practical side of the Buddhist philosophy of life. The Buddha and the later Buddhist schools clearly loved it, but to us the enumerations seem rather dry and boring. Wrongly, thinks Tom Hannes. In this book, he shows a surprising vibrancy to the Buddhist lists once we embrace them as practical life companions. Gracefully and with a sense of humour, he elaborates a selection of ten frames. This not only provides a fresh look at Buddhist philosophy, but also a testimony to how much the ancient teachings can push us to do their work, to be free and worthy people. Tom Hannes tells light-footed and uncompromising, accessible and thorough, oh so concrete and turning everything upside down.