Meditation for Children

I was going through some of the books I read when I was in Cambodia when I came across this gem, a slim volume entitled "Meditation for Children." Unlike other books about meditation I saw in Cambodia, which tended to treat it as a subject for philosophical discussion or an opportunity to memorize yet more of Buddhaghosa's Visuddhimagga, Bhikkhu Ma Surin's book is charmingly down to earth and filled with practical exercises.

As someone used to hearing the principles of mindfulness explained in English, I found this book expounded techniques of sati with grace and ease, avoiding excessive Pali terms to eluciade the principles of meditation in fresh terms. It not only deals with sitting meditation and mindfulness of breathing, but also goes through many practical techniques for studying, playing sports, and doing household chores. Of particular interest was the way it integrated Buddhist teachings of filial piety into its discussion of meditation. Western books on the Dharma are often all to silent on this critical point, but Ven. Ma Surin's book emphasizes that meditation and caring for one's parents must go hand in hand.

As the cover shows, it is also filled with pleasant illustrations. In all, a delightful work that deserves to be translated into many languages. Look for it in Phnom Penh bookstores.