Sreena's Reviews > First Buddhist Women: Poems and Stories of Awakening

I love this book! It's one of those rare gems that makes you feel completely at peace after reading. I was captivated by the intimate, personal songs of the first Buddhist daughters, which lay bare their struggles, their joys, and their ultimate spiritual awakening.

And you know what, the very last page brought only one sigh of regret: Why did it take me so long to find this?

Here is one such poem from the book, which I liked:

I used to worship fire,
the moon, the sun,
and the gods.
I bathed at fords,
took many vows,
I shaved half my head,
slept on the ground,
and did not eat after dark.
Other times
I loved makeup and jewelry,
baths and perfumes,
just serving my body
obsessed with sensuality.
Then faith came.
I took up the homeless life.
Seeing the body as it really is,

desires have been rooted out.
Coming to birth is ended
and my cravings as well.
Untied from all that binds
my heart is at peace.