A Path Strewn with Flowers and Bones [Perfect Paperback]

Tulku Sherdor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 10, 2009

An emaciated yogi spending years in isolated retreat cabins in cold northern climes, often without electric power or running water... Counsel to America s most prestigious litigation firm, hurtling across the skies in a leased jet to put out legal brushfires, with billions of dollars at stake... A reincarnate Lama swathed in maroon and gold robes atop a throne of honor amidst thousands of monks in a magnificent temple in the remote Tibetan hinterland of Golog... A Human Rights activist struggling to free indentured slaves in the sweltering jungles of western Nepal... Translator, attendant and heart disciple for a dozen years to a true King of Crazy Wisdom.... One person fits all of these descriptions, and many more. Read about his remarkable life s journey so far, and his wry, sharp, and candid reflections on life, death, rebirth, and that which neither is born nor dies our true nature.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An entertaining and original work of literature by a well-known western Lama in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, hailed as "deeply moving and ... remarkably well written." --Erik Pema Kunsang, Rangjung Yeshe

A tender-hearted praise and elegy to the great Tibetan Buddhist masters of our times. --Moke Mokotoff, Zangdokpalri Foundation

About the Author

Tulku Sherdor is the Executive Director of Blazing Wisdom Institute. Born in Montreal, Canada in 1961, he began studying Buddhist Insight meditation from a very young age, and met his principal teacher, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, in Nepal in 1981. He was fortunate to study with other pre-eminent masters of the 20th century, including His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Khetsun Zangpo Rinpoche, Dung Say Trinley Norbu Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Kalu Rinpoche, and many others. Tulku Sherdor completed a 3-year lama retreat in the Karma and Shangpa Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism, and a year-long solitary retreat in the Chogling Tersar practice lineage held by Tulku Urgyen. Over the past 20 years he has traveled far and wide, teaching and working with and translating for a great number of distinguished Nyingma and Kagyu meditation masters, such as helping Trangu Rinpoche establish the monastic retreat program at Gampo Abbey in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in the early 1990s; helping Kenpo Sonam Topgyal Rinpoche re-establish the vajrayana Buddhist tradition for the Chinese community in Thailand in the mid-1990s; and working closely with his precious teacher, His Holiness Orgyen Kusum Lingpa, to advance many philanthropic projects in Tibet dedicated to world peace. Tulku Sherdor is renowned as a scholar and interpreter of Tibetan Buddhist teachings into English, and known for his quiet yet humorous and insightful manner.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 305 pages
• Publisher: Blazing Wisdom Institute; First edition (August 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0980173027
• ISBN-13: 978-0980173024
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,400,222 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Path Strewn with Flowers and Bones, January 25, 2010

By 

L. McClain (Wisconsin, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Path Strewn with Flowers and Bones (Perfect Paperback)

A wonderfully straightforward and accessible look into Tulku Sherab Dorje's experiences in living and being in the world while at the same time living the great river of the Dharma. His writing invites us to learn from his own lived experiences as counsel in a high profile litigation firm alongside his coming into Dharma practice through experience, teachings and the very presence of great Masters. Tulku Sherab Dorje cautions us about limitations in thinking we can get 'there' through scholarship alone and he speaks of the need for solid foundational practice while at the same time recognizing that everything that happens to us and around us in the world is a reminder to practice. "Buddhas don't appear in this world because they manage to avoid its trappings long enough to escape to a pure place, but because they are able to, aspire to, connect to the world from a completely pure and sane perspective." Tulku Sherab Dorje's story offers an honest and clear glimpse into the naturally impressive ways of the Dharma.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good read for people into the genre, February 24, 2011

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A reader (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: A Path Strewn with Flowers and Bones (Kindle Edition)

I enjoyed this memoir - it's told fairly well, and he has an interesting story to tell. Tulku Sherdor really plunged into dharma practice in the Vajrayana tradition - took a late 70s trip to India & Nepal as a college student and connected with Tulku Ugyen. Caught the 16th Karmapa's funeral. Did a little postgrad work in Buddhist Studies at UVA with Hopkins. Did the first 3-year retreat at Kalu Rinpoche's KTC in Wappingers Falls. Did a one-year solo in a cabin upstate NY. Eventually hooks up in the 90s with the Notorious OKL (Orgyen Kusum Lingpa) who becomes his main teacher and through the auspices of whom he gets recognized a tulku. Eventually starts his own dharma center, also in upstate NY.

He's more candid than these memoirs usually are when it comes to hardships. He has a falling out with one of his lamas over the lama hitting on nuns and then getting abusive whenever confronted about it. I wish he's been more clear about which lama it was though, because by not naming names suspicion falls on many (if you know who it was please comment).

A little too much time was spent for my taste on the details of his cases as a lawyer, but that is a pretty minor quibble. Also, note that the first 180 pgs or so is a memoir, and then it makes an unannounced shift into a random collection of thoughts on dharma.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The making of a Buddhist., March 9, 2010

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Roger Q. Callaway (Charlotte, NC, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Path Strewn with Flowers and Bones (Perfect Paperback)

I liked this book. It is an interesting story of an American that apparently was born with a ticket to the upper levels of buisiness wealth and power. His curious nature, intellect and drive led him into a search for fulfilment, and ultimately into the upper echelons of Tibetan Buddhism. He undoubtedly has more adventures ahead of him. Perhaps this story is "to be continued".