A Simple Monk: Writings on His Holiness the Dalai Lama [Hardcover]

Tom Morgan (Editor), Alison Wright (Photographer), Robert Thurman (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 10, 2001

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has captured the world's heart with his extraordinary wisdom and humility in the face of China's brutal decades-long occupation of Tibet. This dynamic collection includes impressionistic essays about the Tibetan leader by Diki Tsering, his mother; China scholar and journalist Orville Schell; and travel writer Pico Iyer; as well as an interview with His Holiness by famed monologist Spalding Gray. A stunning visual biography that marries full-color images with insightful essays. A Simple Monk is published in cooperation with New York's Tibet House, which will receive a portion of the proceeds. Award-winning photojournalist Alison Wright, who lived with exiled Tibetans for over a decade, was afforded exceptional access to the government-in-exile for this book.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The regal gift anthology A Simple Monk stands apart from the glut of books about the 14th Dalai Lama. Alison Wright's glorious photographs deliver a visual feast of the landscape and people of Tibet, as well as the face of the Dalai Lama--all of which contain an inspiring blend of serenity and joy against a backdrop of political suffering. Like the photography, the six essays educate readers while avoiding hyperbole and guru worship. One of the most compelling contributions comes from the Dalai Lama's mother, Diki Tsering, who speaks of her son with frank authority. Who would have thought that this peaceful monk was once a 1-year-old tyrant? When he toddled upon people quarreling, he'd pick up a stick and "try to beat them," according to his mother. In straightforward prose, she also recounts the many omens and coincidences that pointed to her son being the next Dalai Lama. Other essays include an interview conducted by Spalding Gray, in which the Dalai Lama speaks of his daily meditation practice (from 4 to 8 a.m.), how he overcomes fear of terrorism and flying, and how he resists the allure of bikini-clad women at the swimming pool. --Gail Hudson

From Publishers Weekly

This "visual biography" of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama blends gorgeous photography with text that is surprisingly sharp. Photographer Wright (The Spirit of Tibet), who has lived in India for the last decade chronicling the experiences of the Tibetan community in exile, relies heavily on vibrant colors such as red, orange and monastic saffron to bring these images to life. She offers illuminating portraits of the Dalai Lama himself, as well as cinema verit‚-style photographs of ordinary Tibetans at play and worship. Mercifully, she omits hackneyed images of His Holiness posing with this or that Hollywood celebrity. This restrained attitude toward the Buddha-loving glitterati is wittily reinforced in Orville Schell's essay, "Searching for the Dalai Lama: Dispirited Stars Find Absolution in Buddhism." Schell discusses Richard Gere's two decades as a Buddhist practitioner and then gives the slip to other stars such as Steven Seagal, who apparently sees Buddhism as just another vehicle for self-aggrandizement. As a whole, the book demonstrates a refreshing lack of awe for His Holiness, although it is always deeply respectful. An early chapter from Diki Tsering's book Dalai Lama, My Son presents a mother's surprisingly matter-of-fact, unsentimental reminiscences of the Tibetan leader's infancy and boyhood, while Columbia University professor Robert Thurman takes the Dalai Lama's mission into the next age with "Hope for the Third Millennium," excerpted from his Inner Revolution. For coffee-table fare, this is intelligent stuff. (Oct. 30)Forecast: Stunning full-color photography and well-chosen text make this 10" book stand out among the many titles about the Dalai Lama. Advertising in Buddhist and New Age publications should help move the book's 50,000-copy print run. It is a main selection of the One Spirit Book Club.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: New World Library; First ptg edition (October 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577311752
• ISBN-13: 978-1577311751
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 10.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,050,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #85 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( D ) > Dalai, Lama

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The once and future Tibet, November 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A Simple Monk: Writings on His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Hardcover)

As the child Lhamo Dhondup born in the wood hog year of 1935, he was known for accepting candy only to pass on to someone else, usually an elder; the dignity of intelligent action and speech beyond his years; a dislike for cigarette smoking, dusty shoes, quarrelsome people, and tattered and torn clothing; and sitting only on eye level with others, never at anyone's feet, even before he was recognized as the incarnation of the Boddhisattva of Compassion and as the reincarnation of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet. Under the name of Tenzin Gyatso, he became known, among other things, as a completer of the Geshe Lharampa, the highest level of scholarly achievement in Buddhist philosophy; Holder of the White Lotus; Ocean of Wisdom; Protector of the Land of Snows; and recipient of the Nobel Prize for Peace. Despite the worldwide recognition, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama describes himself as A SIMPLE MONK passionate about BBC world service news breaks, flowers, green as his favorite color [even though he is only seen publicly in Tibetan colors], small instrument and watch repairs, Tibetan dumplings made in the style of his native province of Amdo, and world culture and history. Editor Tom Morgan has brought five excellent writers together in a fascinating, reader-friendly book that leaves us better informed on Bstan-dzin-rgya-mtsho's ability to live in the present moment; capacity for operating with an open and practical mind; and commitment to compassion, meditation, peace, and responsibility. I particularly liked Columbia University Professor Robert AF Thurman's contributions to the book and the Dalai Lama's statement that he will die in a free Tibet if he lives to be 100. This beautifully illustrated and carefully put together book reads particularly well with THE DALAI LAMA'S SECRET TEMPLE by Ian Baker, KUNDUN [on which the video is based] by Mary Craig, PILGRIM by Richard Gere, THE BON RELIGION OF TIBET by Per Kvaerne, TIBET: THROUGH THE RED BOX by Peter Sis, and any book by Dr Thurman.

5.0 out of 5 stars Famous to all but considers himself 'a simple monk', December 7, 2010

By 

Ann G. Jacobs (Canandaigua, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Simple Monk: Writings on His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Hardcover)

This book illustrates the way His Holiness belives himself to be, 'A Simple Monk'. It has an interesting story line; but the pictures depict the true nature and inner happiness this 'simple monk' experiences. While a leader to his people, he works for the independance of his country from the Chinese.

5.0 out of 5 stars What's not to love?, April 18, 2008

By 

N. A. Tiffany "Moochiejojo" (Rochester NY USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Simple Monk: Writings on His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Hardcover)

If you follow the Dalai Lama at all, you have to have this book. The authors are people who are fortunate enough to be or who have been close to him, plus there is one essay he wrote himself. He may be just a simple monk, but the world loves him unconditionally.