Customer Reviews

Tales of a Dalai Lama

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I was pleased that, in the introduction, the author admitted that he was tempted to remove some of the stories and that he knew little about Tibetan Buddhism at the time he wrote this book. I also believe he knew little about Tibet - for a collection of humorous Tibetan folktales see Tales of Uncle Tompa. It will give an accurate flavor of Tibet humor. As for the sources of Tibetan Buddhism that Delattre gives, they are on the theosophic edge; they were the most available. He does not mention Evans-Wentz, the most accurate translator of Tibetan Buddhism available at the time the stories were written. The result is that the religious philosophy expressed in these stories has little to do with the title.

If, however, you consider these stories to be religious tales in the same sense as tales of Mulla Nasrudin, the jataka tales, rabbinical midrashim etc., several of the stories work quite well. Those that fail include those Delattre recognizes as failures in the foreward and those where he fails to trust his story and falls into explanation. To give a taste of the tales:

Pyramid Lake is a reenactment as ritual of a very old custom of limiting a king's reign to 9 years, then burying him in a lake where he will be reborn as a fish. As the Dalai Lama is encased in mud in the ritual reenactment, he changes from boy to man.

Seven Puffs on a Cigarette is a clever story of the boy's love of camels and an attempt by Camel cigarettes to get an endorsement.

A Confucian Reprimand is a funny tale combining a typical boy's untidy room with an obsession for order.

"Everyone Loves the Beautiful Death of Soldiers" is a didactic tale that, while imperfect as a story, carries its message well.

What the book does best, however, is give insight into how little was known about Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism before the Chinese occupation sent refugees out of Tibet and into western consciousness. As a period piece, this book is excellent.

First published more than 20 years ago, Tales of a Dalai Lama stands as a modern classic, a perfect marriage of fact and fancy, myth and mirth. Each chapter offers a delightful glimpse into the imagined life of the young Dalai Lama. We follow his progress toward enlightenment, as he discovers that levity in life can be as profound as the universe's deepest secrets. Lots of fun.

This re-issue will serve all readers well who comprehend that a fiction book may be so authentic that if it is not reality, it should be. I have been reading this book yearly since its original issue, and every time I open it, there is a new story. The author was inspired and tapped in to the essence of how the mystic experiences the world, and expressed this experience in a lovely , entertaining manner of laughter and joy.

The book was pristine, the order on time, all is well.
This is a beautiful little book of stories about the dalai Lama
as a boy and young man (fictional) It is a lovely present.

This compilation of fanciful tales about the Dalai Lama as a boy are beautifully told, both funny and full of deep meaning. The story of the dancing Kung Fu master would make a short film of surpassing beauty and carry a profound message. For thirty years I have hoped that Pierre DeLattre one day would work with or permit a creative filmmaker to bring this story to the screen. Well choreographed, it would also make a wonderful performance interpreted through dance. In fact, most of these truly classic tales would be perfect for dance or screen. HIGHLY recommended for all ages.