Customer Reviews

Riding the Tiger Twenty Years on the Road : Risks and Joys of Bringing Tibetan Buddhism to the West

5 star:		(3)
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I found this book really met a lot of questions which had formed over the years about lifestyle and the Buddhist view.
Lama Ole really presents joy and excitement with some rare glimpses of early interactions with the 16th Karmapa.
The freedom and acceptance of Kagyu Buddhism in non-judgement and fearless activity brings blessing to many around the world.
I am not suprised more and more that there are over 350 centers forming around the world. Id pick up this book any day, with the element that every part of it captures a unique and integral aspect of the development of Buddhism in the West. It is joy to read of Hannah and Ole Nydahl and their gift to bring lay buddhism to the West and in such a natural, unhindered way.
A MUST READ FOR ANYONE WHO ENJOYS LIFES TRAVELS

Lama Ole Nydahl is a unique figure in modern Buddhist history -first Western student of the Black Hat lama, H.H. the XVIth Gyalwa Karmapa, married, lama 'without robes', and spiritual figure personally chosen by the Karmapa to teach and make foundations in his name- and 'Riding the Tiger' is filled to overflowing with his particular energies and gifts. It is a galloping book that takes the reader around the world, inviting him in for a close-up look at the making of a Buddhist center for meditation and study, and Lama Ole has successfully started over one hundred such centers. And a deep look, as well, at the nature of Buddhism in the West, how it has been transplanted, how it has flourished. With due respect to another of the reviews on this page, Lama Ole's defense of Diamond Way Buddhism and of the singular wishes of the XVIth Karmapa, and his willingness to discuss the schism that has taken place within the Kagyu tradition, with two reincarnations of the Karmapa presently recognized by two differing factions, is certainly not childish, nor does the conflict itself necessarily reflect negatively on the Kagyu lineage. It is to Lama Ole's credit that while focusing his attention on the spreading of the Dharma, he does not shy away from the controversy. Perhaps that is because he holds the truth of this historical situation in his mind and heart, and therefore need not fear the light of day when looking at this controversy. It is certainly interesting that the 'other' 17th Karmapa, the one 'recognized' by Beijing, has recently escaped over the mountains to Dharamsala! Did not the Lord Buddha say "I show you suffering and the ending of suffering?" This is a magical book and a magical ride!

Lama Ole, One of the first western desciple of His Holiness Karmapa describes the joy and struggles of discovering the true nature of our mind.He honestly tells us about his feeling while taking the huge responsibility of bringing Tibetan Buddhist Teaching to the west. Plus, one can enjoy his travel adventure to south asia and Tibet and the description he gives about people and places he has confronted. This book is very much successful to shade light on the true nature of Guru- Desciple relationship. His devotion and confidence on Karmapa,( Reincarneted Buddhist Master, also Head of, one of the school on Tibetan Buddhism) is really Illustrious! Thanks! for sharing your treasure, Dear Lama Ole.

This is an entertaining and unfiltered view of Lama Ole and Hannah Nydahl's experiences of sharing and teaching Buddhism in the west. One can instantly feel how honest and full of discriminating wisdom the author is while reading this book. Lama Ole has an uncanny ability to portray fearlessness, joy, and active compassion in his view of the world.

A truly amazing couple and a wonderful book!

This book is an interesting read. If read on a superficial level, it gives a rather entertaining insight into the life of one of the first Western disciples of His Holiness 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. If the reader reads a bit deeper, the book sadly portrays a level of deception that casts a serious doubt on the authors motivation. In one chapter in particular, the author reproduces a letter written at the instigation of Ven.Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in which he effectively bans the author from teaching at any of his centres - the most numerous of any Tibetan tradition in America at the time. The author amazingly launches into a diatribe of childish ridicule and dismissive abuse which sadly confirms the accusations cast in the letter itself. I found this most disappointing. On the whole, an entertaining read.

A discription of Ole Nydahls work in building up and cherishing a western community of buddhists. A lot of illustrative pictures. The book is a sequal to Riding the Tiger, but Ole has now a clear program of establishing Karmapas buddhism in the west. It's a down to earth but solid system of tibetan buddhism. Ole's work is still growing and right now gaining momentum with 17.Karmapa in Europe. So I'm looking forward to another sequal of his biography.