The Buddha and the Badge: A Journey of Personal Discovery

THE BUDDHA AND THE BADGE reveals what it is like to grow up as a contemplative, spiritually aware Buddhist in a culture dominated by Christianity. The story begins with the birth of the author, Michael Jaquish in 1948 and flows through his teen years as his family bounces from town to town and state to state. In 1968 Michael is called to military service at the height of the Viet Nam war and the event forces him to examine his commitment to the non-violent teachings of Jesus, Gandhi and The Buddha that he was raised to respect. That confrontation opens a door that ignites a dedication to pacifism and compassion for all beings. However, his life takes an unexpected turn in 1975 when he finds himself suddenly propelled into a career as a police officer. Will his new job challenge his commitment to his spiritual path, or will it open opportunities for compassion and service? NOTE: This book is the 'prequel' to BEYOND COURAGE (Tales of a Country Cop in Africa). A Country Cop Books publication.

Michael Jaquish is a practicing Buddhist of the Tibetan Mahayana tradition following the path of the Bodhisattva. He is also the father of three daughters and eight grandchildren, a poet, an artist, a novelist and a journalist. Following a career as a peace officer in America he traveled to West Africa to serve as director of security for US Embassy operations in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Gambia and for the NASA Space Shuttle Abort Landing site. In his spare time, Michael spent many years roaming the jungles in search of adventure and exotic creatures and sketching and writing about what he found. He currently lives among the tall fir trees in the rain forests of the Pacific Northwest where he continues to write and ponder the meaning of life while practicing compassion for all beings. Michael has published a number of other books. They include: Time Loves a Hero, A Monk Without A Monastery, Beyond Courage (Tales of a Country Cop in Africa), Namaste (Greeting The Light Within), The Role of the Security Officer and Where Did We Come From?