Pjesme prosjaka i prosjakinja: izbor iz rane buddhističke poezije

The work of Croatian philosopher and Buddhist monk Čedomil Veljačić (Bhikkhu Ñāṇajīvako), presents translations and commentaries of verses from the Theragāthā and Therīgāthā, collections of early Buddhist poetry from the Pali Canon, which bring personal confessions of the Buddha's first disciples. These verses, written between the 6th and 3rd centuries BC, reflect the spiritual experiences of monks and nuns on the path to enlightenment.

Veljačić's selection emphasizes the simplicity, depth, and universality of Buddhist ideas, such as renunciation of worldly desires, meditation, and liberation from suffering. The poems describe personal struggles, joys, and moments of enlightenment, often through poetic images of nature and everyday life. Of particular note are the Therīgāthā, poems by nuns, which testify to the spiritual strength of women in early Buddhism. Veljačić's translation preserves the authenticity and poetic spirit of the original, while his commentaries provide philosophical and cultural context, connecting Buddhist thought with universal existential themes.

The book is a valuable contribution to Croatian literature and Buddhist studies, highlighting Veljačić's erudition and ability to convey Eastern spirituality to a Western reader. The work invites reflection on the meaning of life and inner peace.