by Franz Metcalf
2002

Anyone who has explored a major religion in depth has at one point probably been hit by one of life's everyday dilemmas and wondered, "What would Jesus/ Mohammed/ Krishna do here?" This book takes 101 modern-day problems and, with the help of scripture, relates what Buddha might have done. More often than not, author Franz Metcalf has come up with wonderful insights. Take, for example, the question, "What would Buddha do about dieting?" While acknowledging that extreme dieting - in other words, self-punishment or renunciation - is not the way to liberation, he also points out that such behavior takes great discipline and that energy can be used in a positive manner. "What would Buddha do about capital punishment?" Buddhism, of course, is against killing in any form, but Metcalf is particularly eloquent in explaining why it is not our right as humans to judge whether another human - even a murderer - should die. He only misses in areas where he probably lacks knowledge (his answer to "What would Buddha do if a friend is abusing drugs" does not adequately address the dilemmas presented by the disease of addiction) or when his questions become too frivolous (let's face it, it's very doubtful that Buddha would ever max out his credit cards!). But overall, this little volume is both entertaining and perceptive. It makes a nice little gift or impulse buy!

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