Divine Madman: The Sublime Life and Songs of Drukpa Kunley (Paperback)

by Keith Dowman (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A collection of anecdotes and songs by, and concerning, the Tibetan Saint, Buddha Drukpa Kunley. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Language Notes
Text: English, Tibetan (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 167 pages
• Publisher: Dawn Horse Press (June 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0913922757
• ISBN-13: 978-0913922750
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #736,456 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maybe "the other Buddhism", March 28, 2001

By	Charles H. Harpole "unchained-heart-prod-inc" (Plano, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read this book via a borrowed first edition, in one mesmerized sitting. 2nd ed. should be same. Now I must own it as soon as re-published! A fabulous story of the Buddhist monk whose left-hand path will scandalize some and delight others. I visited Drukpa Kunley's monastery in Bhutan and received the resident head monk's blessing with both the wooden phallus and the ivory one. Kunley created Bhutan's national animal, the Takin, and spread both his generous organ's output and the Dharma over the Himalaya. Worshiped by all women he met, he conquered Bon magicians and otherwise gave Buddhism a full-bodied life. Must reading for all adults. Now, I want to make a film about his life...join me? [e-mail]

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not The Place To Start, March 12, 2002

By	James S. Taylor (Scarborough, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Though Drukpa is a beloved saint of many Himalayans, this is certainly not the first book to read if you're interested in Tibetan Buddhism or culture. In fact, without a grasp of Tantric principles and the way skillful means can be used in a way seen as legitimate by this tradition, many of the events in this book would be received as downright distastful and suspect. I had run across references to him in a number of other works over the years, and am frankly glad I waited until this later point in my understanding of Buddhism before reading this work. Otherwise, I doubt I could have seen through a lot of the cultural chaff, which many would find offensive, to the core insights that the text is trying to promote. Read it sometime, but don't rush to it before you're ready.