A funny path to dharma's truth

The Sukkhapabjai Group – long a publisher of dharma books based on the teachings of revered monk Buddhadasa – is introducing its new “sister” at Book Expo Thailand this Friday. Daifuku Publishing makes its debut with a series of Japanese “comic essays”, beginning with “Butta to Shittaka Butta” by Yoshihiro Koizumi and “Watashi to Mamegoma Nikki” by Mayumi Yonemura.
Relatively new to Thailand, comic essays tend to have as much text as they do cartoons, says Daifuku’s Aleen Chalermchaikit. “And they’re based on real-life experiences, shared through the clean, simple lines of cartoons.”
The fact that the narratives “get to the point” quickly – and in such an entertaining way – makes comic essays perfect for hectic modern like, Aleen says. Yet they’re also open to slow, page-by-page scrutiny as you ponder the message and admire the artwork, and that’s the approach that Daifuku wants to encourage.
“Butta to Shittaka Butta” is about a funny but troublesome pig named Shittaka, who’s honest but overwhelmed by life. To Shittaka’s endless questions about all sorts of things, his pal Butta always has the answers. Together they examine life’s virtues and pitfalls, while sharing messages about, for example, admitting your errors, enduring pain and loneliness, and avoiding arrogance.
“This is a best-selling series in Japan and it’s lovely and funny while teaching about the dharma,” Aleen says. “When you read it you can’t stop smiling. It would definitely be a great gift for a loved one.”
The comic essays that Daifuku is bringing to Thailand invariably urge readers to slow down and take time to look within. The aim is to curtail stressful emotions and become calmer and more reasonable.
“Reading ‘Watashi to Mamegoma Nikki’, you can absorb the main character’s gentle way of speaking and thinking,” says Aleen. “The Japanese like lovely things, and this story is about the imaginative life of a tiny, adorable seal named Mamegoma, who’s the pet of the lead character.”
Aleen says she’s always been “fascinated” by Japanese culture and lived there for six years while studying. “They came up with chopsticks that have a tiny fan attached to cool their boiled noodles! That’s the sort of clever notion you find in the comic essays. They’re the best combination of cartoons and ‘substance’ – like the dharma and other lessons on everyday life. I think Thais will love them.”
There’s nothing random about the publisher’s choice of a name. Daifuku means “great luck”, and is also the name of a confection – a rice cake with a sweet filling, usually red-bean paste.
“Dai fu ku looks very simple but it’s truly delicious,” Alleen says. “And it’s not only gentle and soft, but it relaxes you as you eat it. Reading our books is just like that!”

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Gentle reader

The “Shittaka” and “Mamegoma” books will be officially unveiled tomorrow at 11am on at Book Expo Thailand’s Atrium stage at the Queen Sirikit Convention Centre.
They’re on sale at Booth P22 in Zone C1.