“This book will benefit many beings,” declared Lama Zopa Rinpoche when he saw Andrea (Ondy) Willson’s children’s volume, The Ten Thousand Days of Summer, first published more than three decades ago.

The book describes Siddhartha as a very human young prince coming of age by taking a magical journey from his luxurious surroundings at the palace — via prophetic dreams, fortunes told, flying mystics, and visions — to a more mature understanding of his life’s purpose: a tale Ondy recounts in ways children can relate to as they also confront life’s challenges and choices.

Today, thirty copies of that book, all signed by Ondy, reside at Root Institute’s Maitreya School in Bodhgaya.

Ondy had the books mailed from England after Neelashi, a teacher trainer at the school, saw a copy and felt it would be an ideal 8th grade reader.

On February 22, 2025, Ondy visited the school to gift and sign the books.

There, she met the teachers and told (and acted out) some of its stories, with Hindi translation from Kabir Saxena.

The teachers will now use the book to pass on Ondy’s stories of the young Siddhartha, offer children enjoyment and inspiration, and help them learn English.