This humorous masterpiece was written especially for Western readers by a Tibetan lama in 1938.
"Mipam" is a delightful and enthralling tale of life, love, compassion, karma, and adventure in the wilds of Tibet: from the court of a minor Prince to the trading houses of western China. Encountering black magicians and Christian missionaries: mixing business with religion, Mipam's destiny is revealed in this tale of love lost and aspirations realized. It is an inspiration to all who are confused about their place and purpose in this life.
ALEXANDRA DAVID-NEEL, PORTRAIT OF AN ADVENTURER by Ruth Middleton
This unique biography explores the inner journey of a woman whose outer life was a thrilling story of passion and adventure. Alexandra David-Neel (1868-1969), born in Paris to a socially prominent family, once boasted, "I learned to run before I could walk!" In the course of a lifetime of more than one hundred years, she was an acclaimed operatic soprano, a political anarchist, a religious reformer, an intrepid explorer who traveled in Tibet for fourteen years, a scholar of Buddhism, and the author of more than forty books. But perhaps the most intriguing of all her adventures was the spiritual search that led her from a youthful interest in socialism and Freemasonry to the teachings of the great sages of India and culminated in her initiation into the secret tantric practices of Tibetan Buddhism. This book reveals the penetrating insight and courage of a woman who surmounted physical, intellectual, and social barriers to pursue her spiritual quest.
SECRET LIVES OF ALEXANDRA DAVID-NEEL by Barbara Foster
The "Secret Lives of Alexandra David-Neel" is the definitive biography of the woman Lawrence Durrell called "the most astonishing of our time." She was the first European to explore Tibet at a time when foreigners were banned; few have led a life of adventure equal to hers, or made so much of it.
In Tibet and Sikkim, David-Neel lived among hermits and shamans, bandits and pilgrims. She had a torrid love affair with the handsome Maharajah of Sikkim and studied with a genuine master in a cave high in the Himalayas. Herself a Buddhist, David-Neel knew first hand the Tibet of magic and mystery closed to other travelers from the west, the secret mystical practices of Tibetan Buddhism including out of body travel, telepathy, vampiric Shamanism, and tantric sex. After returning to France, she wrote some thirty books, among them "My Journey to Lhasa and "Magic and Mystery in Tibet." She has had a profound influence on, among other things, Beat culture and the emergence of an American Buddhism.
One of the world's most admired men, he is the spiritual and secular leader of a nation that exists only in exile. Born Tenzin Gyatso, he is the fourteenth man recognized by his people as Buddha's reincarnation and honored with the title he is known by worldwide the Dalai Lama. Since 1959, when he fled his nation after a failed rebellion against the occupying Chinese, he has lived in exile. Follow the Dalai Lama from his childhood in the Lost Kingdom to today. Interviews with Chinese scholars, Tibet activists including actor Richard Gere and His Holiness himself detail the long struggle to free Tibet. And see footage of the defining moments of his life including accepting the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize. From a childhood in Shangri-La to a life in exile, BIOGRAPHY presents the journey of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.
COMPASSION IN EXILE: The Story of the 14th Dalai Lama (DVD) a film by Mickey Lemle, music by Philip Glass
Compassion In Exile is an intimate portrait of Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. Inherent in the life story of this Nobel Peace Prize laureate is the saga of the suffering of the Tibetan people under Chinese occupation.
For over forty years the Dalai Lama has waged a non-violent struggle in exile to bring attention to the plight of his people and save their unique culture and religion. He is the embodiment of the ideal of his Buddhist heritage and practice, and his life story is an inspiring lesson in compassion and peace.
This is the story of the Dalai Lama, and it is filled with wonderful photos (much never before seen), film clips and candid interviews with His Holiness, his family and other prominent people and Tibetans who have left Tibet. With candor and humor, the Dalai Lama describes his upbringing and the key moments in his life leading to his becoming head of state at age sixteen, meeting with Mao Zedong, and of his life in exile and non-violent struggle on behalf of his people. This DVD is inspiring throughout.
BIOGRAPHIES OF RECHUNG-PA: The Evolution of a Tibetan Hagiography by Peter Roberts
Rechung-pa (1084-1161) is a Tibetan folk-hero whose biography is one of the most well-known literary works in Tibet. This book traces the life story of the student of the famous teacher Milarepa using rare and little-known manuscripts. The author compares significant episodes in the life of Rechung-pa as portrayed in a succession of texts and thus demonstrates the evolution of Rechung-pa's biography. This is the first survey of the surviving literature which includes a detailed analysis of their dates, authorship and interrelationships. It shows how Rechung-pa was increasingly portrayed as a rebellious, volatile and difficult pupil, as a lineage from a fellow-pupil prospered to become dominant in Tibet.
From revenge to become a Buddha. The story tells a man of great sin became Buddha in one life.
Milarepa is one of the most well known and respected yogi poet in Tibet. His root master Marpa made him experience many years of hardships to purify his negative karma from killing people by sorcery. Finally, master Marpa gave him empowerment and teachings. His whole life is like a legend inspiring numerous practioners's faith and motivation.
The film is directed by Nyinmapa Tulku Sonam Rinpoche. He delicately produced this film alone by himself from story writing, role play, photography and editing. As a Tulku, he skillfully directed this film to precisely describe Milarepa's life and process of learning Dharma just as he gave Dharma teachings.
THE LIFE OF YESHE TSOGYAL, (DVD) by Bardor Tulku Rinpoche
About Yeshe Tsogyal:
The disciple and consort of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), Yeshe Tsogyal played a crucial role in the introduction and propagation of the Buddhist teachings in Tibet. The early period in her life was marked by hardship and suffering. After she met Guru Rinpoche, she studied and practiced diligently under his guidance, and eventually reached realization. Later on, she herself became a teacher.
In this specially produced companion DVD to Neten Chokling's Milarepa: Magician, Murderer, Saint, Buddhist luminaries such as His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorje, Khandro Rinpoche and Ani Pema Chodron give commentaries and insights into Milarepa's life and its significance for modern spiritual practitioners. Ideally suited for Western viewers, these teachings show how we can incorporate Milarepa's example into our own lives.
With His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje, Khandro Rinpoche, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Sogyal Rinpoche, Ani Pema Chodron, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Arjia Rinpoche, and director Neten Chokling Rinpoche.