Customer Reviews

A Simple Monk: Writings on His Holiness the Dalai Lama

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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.

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.

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.

A Simple Monk is a collection of essays and interviews that together paint a picture of the life and works of the 14th Dalai Lama. This coffee table book was published as a means of raising funds for Tibet House in New York. The pieces are interesting but sometimes the glowing and over written text contrasts against His Holiness's humility and moniker of "a simple monk."

As it is a coffee table book, every page has at least one full color photograph. They are colorful and beautiful but often times unrelated to the text on the page. They also seem to come out of order. A greater coherence between the text and the illustrations would have helped to paint a richer portrait of the Dalai Lama.


I enjoyed the book but had trouble reading it because of its size. My daughter is a new born and loves to held. The book is too large to read easily one handed so I had to sneak a few pages whenever she was napping.

The two excerpts I enjoyed the most were the interview with the late Spalding Gray and the article on the Dalai Lama's journey to Hollywood. The Spalding Gray interview especially touched me for a number of reasons. First I could feel Gray's sadness; he was clearly looking for some way of easing his inner turmoil. Second I enjoyed the spontaneity of the interview; it felt like the best glimpse of the Dalai Lama as a person. Finally the interview took place in a city I hold dear to my heart as it was the first place I lived as an adult and on my own.

The journey to Hollywood interested me for two reasons. The first is that I majored in film so I understand how the business works and found the meeting of cultures fascinating. I can't say we (Californians) did very well with how we behaved while waiting for the arrival of His Holiness. Second, my husband and I had just recently argued over how the Dalai Lama would act in such a situation and my husband couldn't believe he'd even allow himself to be in a situation like a Hollywood pitch party.

Finally the photographs in the book are beautiful. I wish there were more of them!

A Simple Monk presents Robert Thurman's gathering of writings on the Dalai Lama, presenting such writings and reflections in a new visual biography which adds full-color images by photojournalist Alison Wright. The result is much more than your usual collection of quotes: a fine, rich gift edition.

The "a reader from Yellow River" inspired me to order this book and the corresponding video, as a message of compassion and peace, which is what we - and most of all me - needs in our world, at all times and right now.

It's a message that in particular, we as Amercians, after the "events of September 11" - now and in the present - need to hear, listen and LEARN. This review was so thoughtful, comprehensive and detailed that I can't wait to get the book and read it "through and through." The "reader from Yellow River" made the money sound more than worth it, and I'm sure it will be!

"What price peace?"

What price is peace worth? "It's worth it's weight in gold."

The question is, "how do we achieve this?"

I hope the answer (or part of "the answer") can be found in this book. Will let you know what I learn.

HH The dalai Lama is a publishing industry unto himself. Nary an unpublished utterance has come forth in recent years,with mostly success. This volume is a tribute to the Dalai Lama,with gorgeous photos by Alison wright. Robert Thruman gives a rather quiet introduction , The Dalai Lama's mother, in an exerpt from her biography tells of how he was discovered,Spalding gray has a wonderful interview with some telling moments{descibing moments of doubt, violent thoughts and lust].Pico Iyer gives, for me, the best article in the book[the God in exile}and, throughout the volume, Alison wrights lovely photographs, of the dalai lama, of pilgrims prostrating themselves in prayer, of buddhist scripture lovingly pictured with some interesting quotes{TOM BROKAW"I LOVE A LIVING GOD WITH A BIG HEART."}and some not so interesting{STEven Seagalon the religious political conection] compliment the essays Over all, a lovely gift beautifully presented, wonderful endpapers and binding. an overall pleasure to read and to own. Similar books are A SIMPLE PATH{Thorsons publishing} and Alison Wrights THE SPIRIT OF TIBET{Snow LIon publications}. Excellent.

This is simply a beautiful book. Early this morning, I gave
it one star and was a bit mean. It didn't get through the submission process. I said words to the effect that the Dali Lama was dictatorial about religious freedom. And that he suppressed religious freedom in 1977 in regards to the Dorje Shugden controversy. I talked to a NKT Buddhist nun this afternoon. And she told me that if you are devoted to the Dali Lama as your teacher, then your practice is pure and you are practicing the dharma fully. This is such a wonderful book. With essays written by different authors. And the pictures are almost breath-taking. The layout of the pages is stunning.
And it just fabulous to read. I know that you will enjoy it. It
is a real gem. And perhaps we should leave politics behind.