Customer Reviews

Insight from the Dalai Lama: 2010 Day-to-Day Calendar

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

What a horrifying experience THIS was! In the first place, the box SAYS there will be a "Daily Extra!" but it's in a burst, which is easy to ignore, and most people will be focused on the theme of the calendar. Still,I suppose the buyer can't quite claim ignorance. It turns out that THE DAILY EXTRA is "Puzzles, Jokes, Lists, Quotes, Tips & Trivia on Backs of Pages!" Well, who wants THAT on the back of teachings from His Holiness? Here I am, learning about how to live an honorable life, then behold, a household hint, like using old nylon stockings to tie up your tomato plants ... or a celebrity quiz, like the opportunity to match a given name with a stage name. The whole thing is absurd and offensive. It's true that I don't HAVE TO look at the back side, but please, don't buy this calendar if you're at all serious about reading the Dalai Lama's words.

In the second place, at least a couple of the quotes aren't even his. One is something like, "You must know the rules in order to break them properly." Nope. THAT'S not one of his, according to Snopes and to anyone who's ever read anything of the Dalai Lama.

This is an aberration and I'm sorry I got it as a gift. I don't know how to tell which calendar is AUTHENTIC, but I know this one isn't.

First, a word on the 2009 day-by-day Insight from the Dalai Lama calendar since that was my first experience. It was really good. No gimmicks, no "extras," just an interesting daily remark. What hits home for one person will not be what does it for another person. But since there are 365 days in the year, there will be something for anyone who wants something. Even if there are only 10 entries during the year that really do something for you, the calendar leaves you with something that lasts. I wondered if the Dalai Lama really said/wrote some of the entries, but if it's a good and useful thought to ponder, the Dalai Lama would probably point out that the editing doesn't matter.
The 2010 calendar is rather different than the 2009. The inclusion of the gimmicky "extras" on the back of some entries is not useful, interesting, or appealing. It cheapens and distracts from the real purpose of the calendar. The first 40 or 50 days of remarks have been somewhat more Buddhist in nature, and somewhat less secular/common sense than the 2009 calendar. Whether that's a plus or a minus depends on what you want.
The Dalai Lama gets five stars. The editors for this year's calendar (and the odd "extras") bring the rating down to three stars.

The calendar rrived in great shape and when it was supposed to arrive. I am very pleased with it.