Buddha's Not Smiling - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0977225305 ISBN 13: 9780977225309

Synopsis

The Day the Last Monastery in Shangri-La Fell- Buddha's Not Smiling is the anatomy of a crisis. Rumtek was not in China, and its attackers were not Communist troops. It was Tibetan lamas themselves who led the siege.

About this title

Review

I was a bit skeptical of this book at first because of the nature of this partisan controversy, and the investigative reporter style of writing, yet pretty quickly I was taken in and fully absorbed. I'm a long time student of Tibetan Buddhism, but am not much interested or involved in the Kagyu Lineage, yet by the end of this book I was feeling both well informed and passionate about the subject (I really look forward to being able to meet Thaye Dorje Karmapa some day). --By applewood -1 May 2010

I have been reading dispassionately all of the books regarding the controversy surrounding the Karmapas. I am not a Buddhist so I don't have a predetermined opinion about any of them. I have a couple more books on this issue to read but so far this book is the most comprehensive look at the controversy despite the author's admitted bias for one of the Karmapas. He still tries to address all of the angles and be as fair as possible. I couldn't put this book down it had so much relevant information that so far is not discussed in the others I have read. He also looks at the books already written since his was released in 2006 so it provides another look at other books and where they might disagree or agree. --By D. Perkins 10 July 2007

The Teaching (a/k/a Dharma) is of vastly greater importance than the person who transmits it, however "high" they may be. That notion somehow shines for me through this book, although it forces me to realize that the "smell" of some transmissions may be clerical twaddle rather than IT. Read this book if you like shining your flashlight where others think it does not belong. --By S. Hutton 19 October 2011

About the Author

Erik D. Curren, Ph.D. has served as a communications and political consultant to such organizations as the State of California, Hill and Knowlton, Well Fargo Bank, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Research for this book took him to India, Nepal, and Tibet for interviews with lamas, monks, and government officials involved in this crisis.

Edition details

• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0977225305
• ISBN 13: 9780977225309
• Binding: Paperback