Customer Reviews

Mystical Verses of a Mad Dalai Lama

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The 2nd Dalai Lama is one of the most interesting figures in this impressive lineage of scholars, yogis, poets and saints. Glenn Mullin has devoted much of his life to the works and lives of these great men (or are they the same man?) and provides us with a valuable volume here.

The 2nd is called "Mad Dalai Lama" because he is one of those "crazy yogis" whose enlightenment freed them from the bonds of conventionality. This liberation is evident in his poetry, which is translated here. It is wild, fun, irreverent, and yet profound and beautiful and genuine. The translations of the poetry retain this character beautifully, and each is also accompanied by a short commentary (very helpful!).

This is an attractive book, and would make a nice gift, even for people who are not Buddhists or don't know much about Buddhism, since the poems are accessible and interesting, and the book is well written.

This is another (~"Gems of the 7th Dalai Lama") Mullin biography. It has 3 main parts: (1) an introduction (~13%), (2) a lengthy biography of the 2nd Dalai Lama (DL2) ~30%, & (3) the songs/prayers each with a Translator's Preamble ~50% + (4) endnotes ~5%. The "Mad" DL "is a man crazed by mystical ecstasy." Mullin provides an extremely concise exposition of basic Buddhist principles from a Gelugpa perspective. He describes the incorporation of Tulkus into Gelugpa--a late development since founder Tsongkhapa didn't encourage Tulku recognition & inheritance which contradict the Vinaya, are Tibetan not Indian, & were not used by the Kadampas. The 3rd DL was the 1st so-named--by the Mongols; the 5th was 1st to have the dominant leadership position of the DL today. The Gelugpas backed up the designation to provide more history to the title. Mullin says "the Gelugpa essentially were "New Kadampas." He also cites "Meaningful to Behold" as an epithet of Avalokiteshwara. Interestingly, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso authored a commentary on the Bodhisattva Way entitled "Meaningful to Behold" & calls his group "New Kadampa." DLs are considered emanations of Avalokiteshwara. Mullin also relates DL2 stories such as the Lake of Dreams & the meteorite sword--reminiscent of the Arthurian legend. He incorporates material from a much earlier autobiography, biography, & the colophons of the songs/prayers. Preambles include where, when, & for whom songs were composed (some were spontaneous),but they seem overly detailed (~20% of the book vs. <30% for the verses). Mullin describes Tantric initiations & the difference of Tibetan symbols to Western--e.g. moon/sun (preamble to "Song of the Tantric Path").

The verses are not very poetic in translation (though DL2 calls himself "Melodious, Laughing Vajra") & the teachings are quite basic. I liked the "Song of the Turquoise Dragon" which included a disciple's song & response by DL2. There are a few lovely stanzas: from "A Dance to Delight the World"--"Ours is a time...when the flashing of fireflies is chosen over the light of the sun itself" & from "A Necklace of Jewels"--"This string of words easy to understand formed into a necklace of spiritual advice to adorn those who delight in the trainings." However, I prefer Samten Karmay's "Secret Visions of the 5th DL" & Keith Dowman's "Masters of Enchantment" for biography/hagiography & John Garry's "Wisdom Nectar: Dudjom Rinpoche's Heart Advice" & "Ngawang Dhargyey's "The Wheel of Sharp Weapons" for poetry & content. In this book, I liked best the 14th Dalai Lama's comment (in "Prayer to the 3 Jewels of Refuge") "There are many people who want to see what is on the other side of the mountain of enlightenment. But there are not many who are willing to walk up the mountain, look over its peak, & see for themselves."