What is it like to be the mother of one who gets enlightenment? How does one watch a young prince walk away from responsibilities towards something impractical and incomprehensible?
The Girl Who Became a Buddha is a beautiful story that shifts the spotlight from Siddhartha to Pajapati, his foster mother. Author Maria Denjongpa creates vivid pictures of Pajapati, a feisty, rebellious girl who grows to be a queen and dares to ask questions. She is one who eventually seeks (and finds) enlightenment herself.
As I read The Girl Who Became a Buddha, I was drawn into Pajapati’s world. I love that her spiritual journey–and that of others in the story–is never once preachy. On the contrary, we meet practitioners of all kinds.
A courtesan may be drawn to Buddha’s path just as much as a queen.
Every human is a bundle of contradictions and flaws, searching for answers in their own way.
With Pajapati, we come to terms with the fact that we don’t have all the answers. We also learn how laughter is as much part of a journey to enlightenment as seriousness is, and that is a possibility I love!
Gently, thoughtfully, Maria Denjongpa draws us into a world that weaves together history, fiction, and a spiritual quest. Pajapati’s story is a lovely one, showing us how with our flaws, we still forge our own paths, and no one else can do that for us.
| Title | The Girl Who Became a Buddha |
| Author | Maria Denjongpa |
| Tags | Young Adult, Buddhism, Historical Fiction |
| Ages | 12+ |
| Rating (out of 5) | 4.5 |
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