Customer Reviews

Music in the Sky: The Life, Art and Teachings of the Seventeenth Karamapa, Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorje

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I read through the life of the Karmapa in this book in three intense nights, simply because I could not put it down! Ms. Martin's writing is truly a pleasure. It is beautifully descriptive and shockingly informative with many endnotes to embellish existing points. In correction to Namgyal's comment below, Ms. Martin indeed does cover the situation of the Karmapa's validity in great detail, including letters sent by Shamar Rinpoche, the most important person who was in contrast to the mainstream view. I saw the contraversey in a very fair and even light.

The teachings are inspirational and usefull in everyday life and the poems show the maturity and artistry of the young Karmapa.

Having had the pleasure of hosting Ms. Martin when she was visiting my area with a Rinpoche, I can attest that she knows what she is doing and that her interest in the Karmapa is genuine. This book is a must read for anyone interested in Buddhism.

Music in the Sky is a well-documented and articulate account of Buddhist practice and philosophy as it is presented by Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa, who is the leader of one of the main lineages in Tibetan Buddhism, the Karma Kagyu. The author, who is a well-known and experienced translator, has worked with all the major Kagyu teachers, including Shamar Rinpoche, who decided to create his own candidate for the head of the lineage. Wisely, the author has chosen not to dwell upon the politics of one small group, and instead followed the advice of the Dalai Lama when he confirmed Ogyen Trinley Dorje as the 17th Karmapa: "What is important is to focus on what has real and profound significance." This, of course, refers to the teachings of Buddhism, which are presented in this remarkable book along with the Karmapa's deeply-insightful poetry, the history of his lineage, and the amazing story of his life in Tibet, his discovery, and his escape to India. I would highly recommend this book to both old and new students.

Written by a Tibetan Buddhist of 30 years, a member of the Kagyu sect (the same as the Karmapa's), and a translator for the Karmapa himself, Michele Martin's book reads like an authorized biography - lots of sheen and not a blemish or a stray hair in sight.

In presenting the story of the 17th Karmapa's still young life, Martin proves adequate in presenting the facts. At least those that don't interfere with hagiography. If you read only this book you'd never know there is a rival claimant to the title of the Karmapa, that he lives in India and has been promoted by one of the 16th Karmapa's disciples.

Martin appears to have taken copious notes, or had access to someone's. If you ever wondered who attended what ceremonies, what prayers were said (and in what order), she provides plenty of detail. There is also a long recitation of miracles and miraculous omens, sometimes so many that you begin to wonder how the Tibetan rinpoches, lamas and monks are able to distinguish portents from everyday life. Among the numerous auspicious signs: a sparrow hawk landing near a human dwelling, a cuckoo bird landing on a tent and singing, a dream of a crane offering yogurt, a cup of milk in a meadow, rain of various sorts, rainbows, thunder, a crying child, bad weather turning to good, a yogi carrying a skull cap of nectar, arriving in the morning, a monk appearing suddenly, and unusual and unidentifiable sounds.

For someone who has worked as the Karmapa's translator, there is a surprising and disappointing lack of personal accounts, quotes, observations, or interpretations. There is nothing of Ms Martin to be found in this text, up to and including any way to interpret her descriptions of numerous miracles.

Almost half of this volume is a compendium of teachings and poetry of the 17th Karmapa, none of them particularly inspiring. The teachings provide a summary of some of Tibetan Buddhism's basic themes and concepts. They read like revisions of the Karmapa's lessons - heavy on theory but lacking the personal examples that would make them meaningful to an audience. The poetry, too, seems to be full of cribbed lines and themes, as one might expect from a young man who hasn't yet had much experience outside the monastery or read much beyond Buddhist philosophy.

For anyone that might need convincing, the back cover features quotes recommending the text from none other than Tai Situ Rinpoche, one of the 17th Karmapa's two closest teachers, as well as from Richard Gere. For a more complete account of the Karmapa the reader might like to try Mick Brown's The Dance of 17 Lives.

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I highly recommend this book, which recounts the story of Orgyen Trinley, the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, who is the spiritual leader of the Karma Kagyu, one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The Karmapa, now eighteen years old, made a daring escape from Tibet to India in early January of 2000. He was born in 1985 to a nomad family in eastern Tibet. From an early age he showed special qualities, and in 1992 was discovered and brought to Tsurphu, the main Kagyu monastery in Tibet, which was being rebuilt after its destruction during the cultural revolution. Karmapa was recognized by the Chinese government as well as by the Dalai Lama, but decided to leave when the Chinese would not allow him access to his main teachers to receive the special training necessary to continue his lineage. He now lives in Dharamsala, the home of the Dalai Lama, where he gives teachings and audiences and writes poetry as well as pursuing his studies, and from which he travels to teach and visit pilgrimage sites. Michelle Martin tells his story, including the thrilling details of his escape, and then presents translations of his teachings and poetry. Well researched and beautifully written, Music in the Sky introduces Karmapa to the world as a profound leader of a deep spiritual tradition.

Music in the Sky is a thoroughly engaging account of a young Tibetan leader's dangerous escape over the Himalayas to India. This recent, true-life adventure of the fourteen-year-old, Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, underscores the present day realities of the Chinese presence in Tibet. Not only does Michelle Martin's book contain the factual details of his escape, along with wonderful color photographs, but it also includes original teachings given by this extraordinary Tibetan monk. Anyone interested in Tibet and its form of Buddhism will want to include this book in their "must read" list.

Music In The Sky: The Life, Art And Teachings Of The Seventeenth KARMAPA Ogyen Trinley Dorje is the story of Karmapa (who is now 18 years old) and receiving the personal guidance of the Dalai Lama and other senior Buddhists in preparation for his ecclesiastical destiny in Tibet. Music In The Sky is an unique and very highly recommended blend of biography and Buddhist teachings.

Unbeknownst to his thousands of followers who gathered at centers throughout the world to welcome the new millennium by praying for peace at dawn on the morning of January 1, 2000, His Holiness Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, was at that very moment risking his life and the lives of those closest to him to escape from Tibet. His goal? Freedom in India, and the ability to meet with his primary tutors in order to receive necessary instruction-an opportunity denied him by the Chinese regime that now controls Tibet. Meticulously researched and entertainingly written by Michele Martin, a translator with impeccable credentials who trained with the esteemed teacher Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso, this book gives a fascinating account of His Holiness's early life, the political milieu-including an attempt on his life-that forced his decision to escape from the Chinese, as well as teachings, poetry, and art by a young man who seems destined to change lives around the globe, perhaps even the course of Asian history. Highly recommended!

This book begins with an intriguing look into the life of the famous Buddhist teenager from Tibet, head of one of the four traditional lineages, who escaped over the Himalayas to India. Bound under one cover are actually five small volumes. The first is the Karmapa's life story from the time of his discovery and return to his monastery through to his education, escape from Tibet (a thrilling adventure) and his residence in India. The second section is a selection of his teachings, including a series on meditation that would allow anyone to begin. There are also sophisticated descriptions of the nature of mind according to different philosophical schools.

The third section presents his wonderful and varied poetry with notes to elucidate it. The fourth is a history of his previous reincarnations and a traditional narrative of his lineage. The fifth generously provides 40 pages of color photos of the Karmapa, his teachers, and family. The book is rich in Tibetan lore and Buddhist teachings, accessible to the beginner, and also full of treasures for one familiar with this tradition.

This book will remain memorable as the first major presentation of teachings and the (as yet short) life of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje. The Karmapas are prominent spiritual leaders of Tibetan Buddhism, the first line of recognized incarnated lamas of Tibet, great teachers and meditators all. The previous incarnation, the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, was one of the first Tibetan lamas to have traveled and taught extensively in the West after the Chinese invasion of Tibet. He was universally regarded by Westerners and Tibetans as a prime manifestation of compassion and wisdom. In fact, the Karmapas, like the Dalai Lamas, are believed to be emanations of Chenrezig, or Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.

Meeting His Holiness the 17th Karmapa in person is an experience one will not soon forget. His timeless presence and awesome power are palpable, and the range of his knowledge and skill, even at 18 years of age, are genuinely inspiring. He currently lives near Dharamsala, India, where he offers Dharma teachings twice a week, as well as private audiences, to those fortune enough to travel here. Each year since his escape from Tibet, he has also presided over the Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya, India, an annual gathering of over seven thousand Kagyu high lamas, monks, and nuns, who come together to honor the lineage and pray for world peace. Last year, the Karmapa was joined at Monlam's closing ceremonies by His Holiness Dalai Lama--the energy of their combined compassion was magnificent. This book gives those who have not yet been able to meet His Holiness the 17th Karmapa a hint of what the experience can be, and those who have met him a wonderful reminder.

As for the review below concerning the book's not mentioning disagreements by some within the Kagyu lineage, it is simply not needed. His Holiness the Dalai Lama recognizes Orgyen Trinley Dorje as the 17th Karmapa, as have the majority of lamas from the Kagyu and other lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, not to mention three of the four regents of the Kagyu lineage--including Tai Situ Rinpoche. ("Karmapa The Sacred Prophecy" by Thomas Pardee details the painting and accompanying text, completed in the nineteeth century, depicting a prediction of the activities and qualities of 21 Karmapas received by Chogyur Lingpa, a renowned Tibetan Buddhist master. The 17th Karmapa is simply represented as sitting closely beside Tai Situ Rinpoche.) It is in keeping with the conduct of realized spiritual leaders to remain above the disagreeable fray of factional politics, instead trusting in the power of truth to reveal itself in due course. The fact that a splinter faction has chosen, for its own reasons, not to recognize His Holiness, is appropriately omitted from this book's introduction to the general public of a prodigious spiritual leader on the verge of making known his power, compassion, and wisdom.

The Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism has gone through a rough spell since the death of the 16th Karmapa in 1981. Twenty years later his reincarnation has returned, and he is about to light up the Vajrayana world big time. When first reading this book, I engaged the hair-raising story of his escape from communist-suppressed Tibet with an open, but discriminating mind & heart. His teachings are profound, and rock solid for any Buddhist practicioner (let alone a teenager). The initial signs emanating from this young man are of impending spiritual greatness...emptiness, compassion, and bliss will be flowing from him,as lineage source for (hopefully) many years to come. We have waited a long time for his return, and it's with joy and celebration that we welcome him back. The world desparately needs genuine bodhisattvas...and he clearly is one already. His poems have plenty of depth and beauty already, and his Dharma talks are stunningly clear, for someone his age. The thought of what he may evolve into 20 years from now is staggering!