March 2000
In This Issue
THE
FOUR PILLARS OF BUDDHISM -
<Part I>
<Part II>
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
DZONGSAR
INSTITUTE CONSECRATION CEREMONIES
A
TRIBUTE TO NYOSHUL KHENPO JAMYANG DORJE
TALES
OF A VAGABOND -
INTERVIEW WITH JAKOB LESCHLY
BOOK
REVIEW:
DEVOTION - FOLLOWING TIBETAN MASTERS
BOOK REVIEW
DEVOTION
Following Tibetan Masters
Sherry Marshall
Simon & Schuster, 1999, $19.95
ISBN 0-7318-0767-7
In the Introduction to Devotion, Following Tibetan Masters, Sherry Marshall suggests that "stories in general are one of the ways that we make meaning out of what happens to us. Stories that are in our minds or stories that are told to us about our family, community or country give us a context about who we are, where we are and where we are going." And this book certainly does stimulate the reader to contemplate their own Buddhist path and examine their own attitude towards devotion and their teacher.
Devotion is a collection of personal stories told by ordinary people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, sexualities and countries. It includes among others an opera singer, a dentist, an interior designer and a masseur. Candidly and openly they explain how they met their teacher and discuss what impact that has had on their lives. They examine contemporary issues, the relationship that exists between teacher and student and what being devoted means to them. Honestly and simply they discuss the difficulties and challenges that they have confronted within themselves, with the teacher and in their communities. Buddhist tales and fables accompany the 14 personal stories, complementing the essence of each person's experience.
I found this book to be both thought-provoking and inspiring, one that helped me to review my own experiences on the path and value them more highly. Well done, Sherry!
-Sonam
Chödrön
