Customer Reviews

The Spirit of Tibet: The Life and World of Khyentse Rinpoche, Spiritual Teacher

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Matthieu Ricard, a French scientist who left a lucrative and prestigious research job in Paris to explore the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and ended up becoming a monk and spending most of his life there, provides us with a remarkable book of photographs and memorable quotes chronicling the life of his teacher, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, to whom he dedicates this worthy tribute.

Although little known outside of the world of Tibetan Buddhism, Khyentse Rinpoche (1910-1991) has been called "one of the twentieth century's greatest spiritual figures and a teacher of many of the Tibetan masters of today, including HH the Dalai Lama" (Snow Lion Press). Indeed, this book features a good-length preface by the Dalai Lama, in which His Holiness names Khyentse Rinpoche as one of his teachers (gurus), especially in the Dzogchen teachings and "rigpa" (the awareness of mind). Just reading a few of the excellent quotes provided in this volume from this remarkable teacher will convince all but the most hard-hearted of skeptics that this was a truly great spiritual master who embodied the teachings of Buddhism in a remarkable way.

Even for the non-practitioners, the book is filled with so many stunning photographs of Tibet, Bhutan, the rituals, the people, and of course, the master himself, that it would bless and honor any coffee table in any home. Indeed, I cannot but feel that any home would benefit from having a copy of this book. For those who follow the path, it is, of course, much more than that.

I was amazed when I saw this book -- it is lovely in every sense. I hope you will also enjoy it as much as I have. May all beings enjoy peace and happiness!

Do not purchase the two books about Khyentse Rinpoche (listed above at a special price if both are bought together). They are the same book. One is hard cover, and the other paperback. The titles are slightly different, but the books are the same. It is a wonderful book, but you probably don't need two of them!

A stunning integration of photography, biography, history, and spiritual teachings, this book touches readers on many levels. The images, from the expansive landscapes of Tibet, to the intimate features of Tibetan faces, are inspiring and telling. The biography, of one of the great spiritual teachers of the past century, is fascinating. (What actually transforms in a human being who spends decades in solitary meditation?) The history of what happened when China invaded Tibet and proceeded to decimate its culture is necessary, dramatic, harrowing. The spiritual teachings are sublime, yet accessible to those of all faiths. A rare book: beautiful, compelling, liberating....

Thanks! I suspected my copy entitled "The Journey to Enlightenment" and this book "The Spirit of Tibet" were the same book. Your post verified that. This is one of my favorite books. I have read and re-read the poetry many times--especially when I need encouragement on the path. The author has a cryptic manner of pinpointing the path for the first seeker to the guru. Khyentse Rinpoche was an extraordinary teacher and this telling of his story is absolutely breathtaking--in the pictures as well as the poetry.