Enlightened Vagabond: The Life and Teachings of Patrul Rinpoche

Description

Author, philosopher, and Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard has spent decades collecting these colourful stories and profound teachings of Patrul Rinpoche, one of the most impactful teachers and thinkers in the Tibetan tradition from the nineteenth century. Few Buddhist meditation masters continue to have the influence that Dza Patrul Rinpoche, active in the nineteenth century, has to many Buddhist practitioners today. A wandering yogi, he eschewed urban areas for a life living in the wilds, caves, and mountains of Tibet. While famous for his teaching with thousands of students, he would wander from place to place by himself, carrying only a few possessions--the most prized of which were two important practice texts. Utterly without pride, he was a master scholar as well as meditation master. Matthieu Ricard spent decades collecting stories from the disappearing generation of Tibetan teachers brought up in the traditional way and who still carried with them the vast oral tradition, which included so many stories about Patrul Rinpoche. These stories are at once inspiring and a welcome reminder to resist our daily distractions and spend time doing what matters. That is, practicing meditation and helping others.

MATTHIEU RICARD was born in France in 1946 to French philosopher Jean-Fran ois Revel and artist Yahne Le Toumelin. He is a Buddhist monk, translator, photographer, and author of several books includingHappiness,Altruism, and coauthor ofThe Monk and the Philosopher. He first visited India in 1967 where he met great spiritual masters from Tibet. After completing his PhD in cell genetics in 1972, he moved to the Himalayan region where he has been living for the past 40 years. PATRUL RINPOCHE, Orgyen Jigme Ch kyi Wangpo (1808-1887), was a wandering renunciant who became one of the most revered spiritual teachers and authors in Tibetan history. Memory of his life-example is still very much alive today, offering an ever-fresh source of inspiration for practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism.

"Enlightened Vagabond enshrines fascinating life stories of the great Patrul, a celebrated scholar and adept roaring in the silent caves of Tibet's high mountains with the sounds of definitive wisdom and unconditional love that can now reverberate in the hearts of all readers, lay and adept, thanks to this precious book." -Tulku Thondup Rinpoche, author of Masters of Meditation and Miracles "Patrul Rinpoche is universally revered by all Tibetan lamas, and his life is a rich source of teaching on what constitutes true Dharma practice. The anecdotes of his life show, with sharp humor, the authentic way, often exposing the traps and deceptions of human and institutional folly. Matthieu Ricard has a unique and intimate connection with the masters of this lineage. This book will be a classic and is a must-read for all who wish to explore the heart essence of Tibetan Buddhism." -Ringu Tulku, author of Confusion Arises as Wisdom "Patrul Rinpoche is one of the greatest Tibetan masters of the past few hundred years. He was a deeply learned scholar and also a humble yogi who renounced fame and power to devote his life to practice and guiding others along the path. The experiential lineage that he taught continues to this day. His teachings have influenced countless meditators, including scholars and yogis from all four of Tibet's main Buddhist lineages. This wonderful book paints an inspiring portrait of this great master. It will be of great benefit to all those interested in the path of awakening." -Mingyur Rinpoche, author of The Joy of Living