Book Review of “Rebel Buddha” Dzogchen Ponlop
What attracted me to this book about Buddhism is that it isn’t written with all of the Buddhist jargon. It is what I call “down home” advice for the layperson who is seeking a spiritual path, not a religious one. It is for anyone who is yearning to free their mind from its consistent confusion, pain and suffering. Not an easy task, but following the advice in this book the path becomes less daunting.
Also a rebel questions and doesn’t just accept things. A rebel needs to find his or her own way and “Rebel Buddha” leads the way.
I also studied with Ponlop Rinpoche and I am well aware of the value of his teachings and his wisdom. His communities in NYC and Seattle encourage kindness and compassion as so witnessed by the members that are involved, and Rinpoche has set the pace. Rinpoche means “precious one, and one who has been recognized to be an incarnate of a great teacher.”
Rinpoche provides the reader with an “orientation to the Buddha’s map, and guides us to:
1. Get to know our mind and relate with its confusion
2. See clearly our demons, and the interdependence of culture and mind
3. Untell the story of self
4. Develop the ultruistic heart
5. Practice in a way that is personal and practical
6. No longer separate “spiritual practice” and “life”
7. Work effectively with a spiritual friend as a guide on our way
I was personally drawn to the path of Buddhism because of its philosophy of kindness and respect, and because of teachers like Ponlop Rinpoche, Pema Chodron and Chogyam Trungpa. All of these teachers give down home teachings anyone can understand. They don’t hold back.
Also important is not to get caught up in the pomp and circumstance within the Asian culture, and to remember that your teacher is your guide not your God. The teacher is your ferryboat captain that helps take you from the journey of ignorance to wisdom.
Ponlop Rinpoche was born in northeast India. Rinpoche received comprehensive training as a young lama in the meditative and intellectual disciplines of Indian and Tibetan Buddhism under the guidance of many of the greatest masters from Tibet’s final pre-exile generation. He is the founder and principal teacher of Nalandabodhi
I highly recommend this wonderful book. Please visit Www.RebelBuddha.Com for more information.
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This entry was posted on Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 at 12:18 pm and is filed under Clients, Friends and Colleagues, Industry News, Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Wonderful review, Sherri. I love books that make topics like Buddhism more accessible and understandable for the western mindset. I love also how you bring this review home by relating your personal experience.
I was inspired to check the link for Rebel Buddha’s website – very cool! Everyone should check it out, especially the “magnetic poetry” section where you can make up your own random poem with word tiles. Also checked their site on FB.
October 4th, 2010 at 7:22 am
Thank you for this: “… a rebel questions and doesn’t just accept things. A rebel needs to find his or her own way and “Rebel Buddha” leads the way.” Well said! Looking forward to the book!