Product Description

Composed in the twelfth century in north-eastern Iran, Attar’s great mystical poem is among the most significant of all works of Persian literature. A marvellous, allegorical rendering of the Islamic doctrine of Sufism – an esoteric system concerned with the search for truth through God – it describes the consequences of the conference of the birds of the world when they meet to begin the search for their ideal king, the Simorgh bird. On hearing that to find him they must undertake an arduous journey, the birds soon express their reservations to their leader, the hoopoe. With eloquence and insight, however, the hoopoe calms their fears, using a series of riddling parables to provide guidance in the search for spiritual truth. By turns witty and profound, The Conference of the Birds transforms deep belief into magnificent poetry.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37729 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Like "Rumi" and "Hafiz", the name "Attar" conjures up images of passionate attraction to the divine. A Persian Sufi of the 12th century, Attar's masterpiece is the Conference of the Birds, an epic allegory of the seeker's journey to God. When all the birds of the world convene and determine that they lack a king, one bird stands forth and offers to lead them to a great and mighty monarch. Initially excited, each bird falters in turn, whereupon their leader admonishes them with well-targeted parables. These pithy tales are the delight of this four-and-a-half thousand line poem, translated deftly into rhymed couplets. What is your excuse for not seeking God--your life is fine already, you prefer material pleasure, you aren't holy enough, you have pride, lack courage or are burdened with responsibility? Attar has an answer to encourage you on the path. And when you get to the promised land, who is the king that you will find? It may not be who you would expect, but you must make the journey to see. --Brian Bruya

Review
A most beautifully illustrated rendition of the 12th century Sufi allegorical tale that has been described as the Islamic Canterbury Tales (Yoga & Health )

About the Author
Farid ud-Din Attar, accounted as one of the greatest poets of Persia, was born around 1120 A.D. in Nishapur (also the birth place of Omar Khayyam) in North Eastern Iran. He was one of the earliest Sufi poets of Persia. He died shortly before 1220. His other chief works are Memorial of the Saints, The Book of the Divine, The Book of Affliction and The Book of Secrets.

Customer Reviews

highly recommended
I have just finished reading this book for a third time! and the more i read it,the more i enjoy it.
this masterpiece has revolutioned my life. not only recommended for true seekers of God,but also for anyone who would want to make the most of his or her life on this planet.

A classic of Persian culture
A Persian Sufi and Physician of Neishapur in Iranian Khorasan of the 12th century, Attar's masterpiece is the Conference of the Birds.
In allegorising the seeker's journey to God, Attar makes use of a convening of birds as the mechanism for describing this journey in search of a King, led by their spiritual guide the Hoopoe. Gradually on their journey the seekers falter, proffering very human weaknesses and excuses, only to be admonished and chided by the sagely Hoopoe. Without spoiling the end, the search for the King results in a simple and profoundly beautiful self realisation of Unity. 'Tawhid' - the Divine Unity. The translation of over 4000 lines is on a par with AJ Arbery of the Mathsnawi.


It is an excellent path into the deep and profoundly rich culture of Persia, that in contemporary times has been overshadowed by the Arab and Subcontinental worlds, but to this day remains as influential on its neighbours culturally and spiritully. It is no coincidence that Monotheism was born out of the Zoroastrian creed, Bogimilism entered the Balkan from Persia, Bahai'ism and Nestorian Christianity are also Persian exports, with Shi'ism so influential in the Middle East and now Sufism exemplified by the works of Rumi, igniting interest in Eastern Mysticism on a global scale.
To neglect Persian cultures influence is to miss so much, and this book is a little gem of literature.

This book is a classic of wisdom
This book is a guide to life and people, our mistakes, our vanities, our hypocricy, our struggles, our virtues and all else that makes up a human character, that can be read again and again. It's an absolute classic and highly recommended to anyone interested in Sufism - in fact on that level it's essential reading. But recommended to all.