So many books by or with the Dalai Lama have been written in English that I was surprised to learn that the Dalai Lama has also published original books in other languages. Thus Dalai Lama's new book, "My Spiritual Journey" (2010) initially appeared in French in 2009. The book consists of excerpts from speeches, interviews, and other books of the Dalai Lama over the years. While the words are the Dalai Lama's, the selections of the texts and the format are by Sofia Stril-Rever, his long-time interpreter and a scholar of Sanskrit and translator. As Stril-Rever relates in her Foreword to the book, her original plan was to prepare a series of the Dalai Lama's important texts that had not already been translated into French. She wanted to use texts that captured the Dalai Lama's approach to spirituality and to humanity.
As Stril-Rever's work progressed, she realized her excerpts had a progression that illustrated the Dalai Lama's life and preoccupations over time. Thus she changed the planned title of her collection, "Appeal to the World" to "My Spiritual Autobiography". Stril-Rever also wrote extensive commentary and transitional material to accompany the texts. The Dalai Lama approved the book and Stril-Rever's approach.
When the book was translated into English by Charlotte Mandell, the American publisher changed the title to "My Spiritual Journey". The book is not an "autobiography" in the strict sense because of its episodic character and because of Stril-Rever's large role in choosing and commenting upon the texts. The book still seems to me broader and more thematically-oriented to be either a personal spiritual journey or an autobiography. Stril-Rever's initial thought which characterized the book as an "Appeal to the World" best summarizes the content.
The book is organized in three broad sections, each of which consider one of what the Dalai Lama describes as his "Three Commitments in Life." The selections are short and pithy with introductory headings and comments by Stril-Rever. At times, the references to the initial sources of the passages could be clearer. The first of the Dalai Lama's commitments in life is as a "human being". This is the pivotal section of the book in which the Dalai Lama speaks of the universal character of the human condition, the need to be loved and to avoid pain, as the basis for a teaching of compassion and altruism. The value that people share by virtue of their humanity is more important that what divides them in terms of nationhood, religion, or race. The selections in this part of the book also describe the Dalai Lama's childhood and the preparations he underwent to fulfill his appointed role as Tibetan Buddhism's spiritual leader.
The second of the Dalai Lama's commitments in life is to his role as a Buddhist monk. In the selections explaining this commitment, the Dalai Lama speaks of the value of religious pluralism. ("Despite their different concepts and philosophies, all the chief religious traditions bring us the same message of love, compassion, tolerance, temperance and self-discipline. They also have in common their potential to help us lead a happier life.") He also discusses in simple terms the difficult Buddhist teachings of impermanence, lack of identity, and dependent origination. The Dalai Lama finds that Buddhism and religion have a transformative character, away from selfishness and the transitory, to inwardness and altruism. The selections in the book under the heading "Transforming our Minds" are particularly worthwhile. The Dalai Lama speaks of the relationship between the life of the religious ascetic and the lives of most people. The following passage (p. 98) addresses both religious pluralism and Buddhist teachings.
"We are not all called to such an accomplishment. [ascetic practices leading to Buddhist realization] It is better, for our daily practice, to stay at home, keeping our professional and family life while still learning to become better from day to day and adhering to a positive mode of life that will contribute to the good of society, according to the principles of the Dharma. We should choose professions in the areas of education, health, or social services. We should avoid renouncing everything for a solitary retreat. The aim is not to devote ourselves solely to spiritual practice, to lead a life lost in the glaciers. We should progress by degrees, steadily, taking care not to have extreme views, in a spirit of steadfastness and perseverance."
The third of the Dalai Lama's commitments in life is to his role as the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama states that "I have a special responsibility to the Tibetan people, for they continue to place their hope and confidence in me during this critical period of our history." The texts in this section discuss the conflict between China and Tibet which resulted in the Dalai Lama's escape to India in 1959 and the establishment of the Tibetan government in exile. Ultimately, the Dalai Lama received worldwide fame and attention for his efforts to resolve the plight of his people, to preserve their religion and culture, and to return to their homeland in a nonviolent way. The issue with Tibet, of course, continues; and the selections in the book offer an overview of the Dalai Lama's role and attitude beginning with the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1950 and continuing to the present. Unlike his stated commitments as a person and as a Buddhist monk, the Dalai Lama writes that his commitment in the role for which he became famous is only temporal in character and will end upon a mutally satisfactory resolution of the Tibet-China
situation.
The book has the character of antholology on subjects which the Dalai Lama has written about in more detail elsewhere. I find it useful to read the Dalai Lama's books periodically to revisit and rethink his spiritual teachings. If not a full description of the Dalai Lama's own spiritual journey, this book does describe his commitments and the basis of his teachings. Stril-Rever's accompanying commentary is reverential and also useful. This book may make a good basic introduction for newcomers to the Dalai Lama as well as a good refresher for his admirers.
Robin Friedman
