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Beyond Life and Death: The Way of True Freedom
Martial arts legend and international movie star Jet Li distills ten powerful insights from his iconic career, his personal life and philosophies, and his thirty-year Buddhist practice
Jet Li’s story defies legend. Born into extreme hardship, he fought his way to become the youngest national martial arts champion in Chinese history at twelve years old, dominating opponents twice his size. He then became one of the first internationally renowned movie stars from China with films including Once Upon a Time in China, Hero, and Fearless. These films redefined martial arts for the modern world, making him a household name alongside Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.
But behind the glory lay a deeper a search for meaning beyond fame, fortune, and physical skill. After a near-death encounter in the 2004 tsunami, Li turned inward, deepening his study of Tibetan Buddhism and dedicating his life to philanthropy, though he was at the height of his Hollywood career.
For the very first time, Li shares the ten insights that have guided his life, in which anyone can find wisdom, guidance, and power,
life is movement;the secret to self-defense;separate the suffering from the pain;be a grandson to the world; andlearn from everyone.
Li invites readers to share his interior life, to hear untold stories from his martial arts and film career, and to meditate with him on the nature of spiritual awakening. If you look deeply, you can see Li’s life philosophy in many of his movies, and in Beyond Life and Death he fully links his own story and spiritual journey with ten actionable insights that anyone can apply to live a healthy and happy life.
Jet Li’s story defies legend. Born into extreme hardship, he fought his way to become the youngest national martial arts champion in Chinese history at twelve years old, dominating opponents twice his size. He then became one of the first internationally renowned movie stars from China with films including Once Upon a Time in China, Hero, and Fearless. These films redefined martial arts for the modern world, making him a household name alongside Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.
But behind the glory lay a deeper a search for meaning beyond fame, fortune, and physical skill. After a near-death encounter in the 2004 tsunami, Li turned inward, deepening his study of Tibetan Buddhism and dedicating his life to philanthropy, though he was at the height of his Hollywood career.
For the very first time, Li shares the ten insights that have guided his life, in which anyone can find wisdom, guidance, and power,
life is movement;the secret to self-defense;separate the suffering from the pain;be a grandson to the world; andlearn from everyone.
Li invites readers to share his interior life, to hear untold stories from his martial arts and film career, and to meditate with him on the nature of spiritual awakening. If you look deeply, you can see Li’s life philosophy in many of his movies, and in Beyond Life and Death he fully links his own story and spiritual journey with ten actionable insights that anyone can apply to live a healthy and happy life.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 19, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 5, 2026
It’s a rainy Friday evening on May 1st in Austin, TX. I’ve been assigned to Group F to meet Jet Li at the wonderful independent bookstore BookPeople in bustling downtown for the signing of his new book “Beyond Life and Death: The Way of True Freedom”.
I’m following a winding trail of blue arrows taped to the floor like a labyrinth maze through the tomes and tomes of human knowledge and experience, imagined or not, crammed all into little rectangles of wood pulp and ink pigment. I’m passing by clear superfans; noting a “Romeo Must Die” t-shirt. I start to feel a bit of imposter syndrome knowing I’ve only seen about 15% of Jet Li’s filmography (thanks Letterboxd!) and a read over of his Wikipedia page.
I step into a room with photographers, body guards, and a mysterious man in all dark blue denim sitting at a long wooden table. A denim hat obscuring the visage of someone who is probably exhausted going on how many hours of signing with Groups A through E before me? How many cities before this? After this?
I had previously joked with a friend that Mr Li, being a martial artist, would be absolutely within the right to merely ink up his fist, punch the cover page, and send me on my merry way.
Since nobody was in front of me, I had no idea where to stand or what to do. Pass your book to this person. Pass your phone to that person if you want photos (BookPeople are LEGIT with how they run their signings!).
And suddenly the denim hat turns up to reveal Mr Li wearing round glasses and the largest smile on his face. After finishing his book this weekend, I’m glad the photographer caught this moment for me. Even being a public persona, it is wonderful to just be alive and happy.
I got a short three sentences in (gotta keep that line moving!); talking about the enjoyment I’ve gotten out of his decades in film, but more importantly, reading about the work he did in setting up the One Foundation and connecting with him on also working in a non-profit to which he coo’d: “Keep doing the good work!” “You do the same! Thank you for coming to Austin!”
To say the least, it felt almost surreal.
I’ll preface this review with a note that I love movies. I’ve watched nearly 5,500 unique films at the time of writing this review. Film, to me, is being able to live hundreds of different (mostly imagined) lives at a distance and experience the entire human condition both wonderful and horrific. The best films expand empathy and compassion, knowing no language or country barriers. I watch a lot of movies in the theater as it’s an introvert’s way to step outside of the shell and be in the world. Something that feels very relatable in Li’s experience.
Reading “Beyond Life and Death” was like observing the multiple lives of Jet Li unfolding as though a series of movies. The underdog story, the family drama, the action film, the documentary, and the film you don’t want anyone to experience in their lifetime, the disaster film.
For those looking for deeper insights into the actor Jet Li’s films, this is not going to be the book for you. It is a deeply personal and touching view of giving away as much as one has taken in with life. If you are coming at this book from a film perspective, what you will get from it is how similar an experience the amazing athletes, performers, and actors like Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Michelle Yeoh, Donnie Yen, Yuen Biao, and yes, Jet Li all had in sacrificing of their body to entertain for going on 5 decades.
But what you will get out of this book is much deeper than that. This is about being a wonderful yet flawed (as we all are) human being, trying to make their way best through this unknown and constantly unfurling existence. Li captures the many demands in life and identities to wear; be a caring father, a good provider, a wise religious follower, a protecting husband, a strong worker…
He writes some very hard chapters, especially toward the end, that really bring you back to the beginning of it all “Who am I, really?” and are very brave to share.
Making art and being vulnerable is never easy. It’s all too simple to say, “Well, I tried!” but to make things that resonate with as much quiet profundity is sometimes nothing short of miraculous and a gift. And Li did that with this book. I absolutely loved it and finished it in one weekend.
And what’s a BOOK review to end with besides MOVIE recommendations?!?
If you like Jet Li’s films but haven’t seen “Hero” (2002) and “Once Upon a Time In China” (1991), you have got to get on those ASAP. If you are a jaded cinephile that has seen it all and want a more obscure one, try to track down “Dr. Wai in the Scripture with No Words” (1996).
If you like action films, Jackie Chan’s “Police Story” (1985), Bruce Lee’s “Enter the Dragon” (1973), “Monkey Kung Fu” (1979), and King Hu’s “Dragon Inn” (1967).
And of course, if you want a meditative Buddhist tale, look no further than “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring” (2003). And throw in “After Life” (1998) and “Perfect Days” (2023) for good measure!
I’m following a winding trail of blue arrows taped to the floor like a labyrinth maze through the tomes and tomes of human knowledge and experience, imagined or not, crammed all into little rectangles of wood pulp and ink pigment. I’m passing by clear superfans; noting a “Romeo Must Die” t-shirt. I start to feel a bit of imposter syndrome knowing I’ve only seen about 15% of Jet Li’s filmography (thanks Letterboxd!) and a read over of his Wikipedia page.
I step into a room with photographers, body guards, and a mysterious man in all dark blue denim sitting at a long wooden table. A denim hat obscuring the visage of someone who is probably exhausted going on how many hours of signing with Groups A through E before me? How many cities before this? After this?
I had previously joked with a friend that Mr Li, being a martial artist, would be absolutely within the right to merely ink up his fist, punch the cover page, and send me on my merry way.
Since nobody was in front of me, I had no idea where to stand or what to do. Pass your book to this person. Pass your phone to that person if you want photos (BookPeople are LEGIT with how they run their signings!).
And suddenly the denim hat turns up to reveal Mr Li wearing round glasses and the largest smile on his face. After finishing his book this weekend, I’m glad the photographer caught this moment for me. Even being a public persona, it is wonderful to just be alive and happy.
I got a short three sentences in (gotta keep that line moving!); talking about the enjoyment I’ve gotten out of his decades in film, but more importantly, reading about the work he did in setting up the One Foundation and connecting with him on also working in a non-profit to which he coo’d: “Keep doing the good work!” “You do the same! Thank you for coming to Austin!”
To say the least, it felt almost surreal.
I’ll preface this review with a note that I love movies. I’ve watched nearly 5,500 unique films at the time of writing this review. Film, to me, is being able to live hundreds of different (mostly imagined) lives at a distance and experience the entire human condition both wonderful and horrific. The best films expand empathy and compassion, knowing no language or country barriers. I watch a lot of movies in the theater as it’s an introvert’s way to step outside of the shell and be in the world. Something that feels very relatable in Li’s experience.
Reading “Beyond Life and Death” was like observing the multiple lives of Jet Li unfolding as though a series of movies. The underdog story, the family drama, the action film, the documentary, and the film you don’t want anyone to experience in their lifetime, the disaster film.
For those looking for deeper insights into the actor Jet Li’s films, this is not going to be the book for you. It is a deeply personal and touching view of giving away as much as one has taken in with life. If you are coming at this book from a film perspective, what you will get from it is how similar an experience the amazing athletes, performers, and actors like Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Michelle Yeoh, Donnie Yen, Yuen Biao, and yes, Jet Li all had in sacrificing of their body to entertain for going on 5 decades.
But what you will get out of this book is much deeper than that. This is about being a wonderful yet flawed (as we all are) human being, trying to make their way best through this unknown and constantly unfurling existence. Li captures the many demands in life and identities to wear; be a caring father, a good provider, a wise religious follower, a protecting husband, a strong worker…
He writes some very hard chapters, especially toward the end, that really bring you back to the beginning of it all “Who am I, really?” and are very brave to share.
Making art and being vulnerable is never easy. It’s all too simple to say, “Well, I tried!” but to make things that resonate with as much quiet profundity is sometimes nothing short of miraculous and a gift. And Li did that with this book. I absolutely loved it and finished it in one weekend.
And what’s a BOOK review to end with besides MOVIE recommendations?!?
If you like Jet Li’s films but haven’t seen “Hero” (2002) and “Once Upon a Time In China” (1991), you have got to get on those ASAP. If you are a jaded cinephile that has seen it all and want a more obscure one, try to track down “Dr. Wai in the Scripture with No Words” (1996).
If you like action films, Jackie Chan’s “Police Story” (1985), Bruce Lee’s “Enter the Dragon” (1973), “Monkey Kung Fu” (1979), and King Hu’s “Dragon Inn” (1967).
And of course, if you want a meditative Buddhist tale, look no further than “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring” (2003). And throw in “After Life” (1998) and “Perfect Days” (2023) for good measure!
May 8, 2026
I had been a fan of his talent and skill in martial arts since I was very young. I never expected him to be deep and insightful of his life. But he is. The book is honest and raw. True to what he said in his interviews, Jet Li wrote this book to share his journey so that he could open up about his lived experiences of racism, tragedy, natural disaster, among others. Each chapter ends and pulls us back and challenges us to an inward reflection. A great experience! Thank you Jet Li!
May 12, 2026
I was expecting a book tracing the path a high level martial art practitioner, and many fun anecdotes about one of the coolest actors ever. It was quite disappointing in this regard, but it was still interesting (and entertaining!) as a reminder that no matter what we achieve or possess in this life, we're still humans, for the best and the worse, and quite similar to each other.
May 11, 2026
Such an entertaining book
December 7, 2023
一开始阅读，我就被开篇宗萨钦哲仁波切的推荐语所吸引。这篇荐语体现出他高深的文化水平，破除了出生汉地和共和国的我对所谓上师以及藏传佛教的一些怀疑。他的语言冷静而克制，其风格不同于常见的现代汉语表达。我很喜欢，也想学习这样的文风。
整本书是李连杰分享毕生求佛法的经历、思考和分享。书的前半部分他强烈的执着于快速修佛，超越生死。我不禁怀疑，这就是他的境界吗，如此强烈的目的心可以到达高的境界吗？书的后半部分解答了我的疑惑，他虽似苦苦追寻，但已将修行融入生命的每时每刻。
李连杰将不断变化的心绪比作“疯猴子”，这个比喻极为贴切。我们心中纷杂的念头确实像疯猴子，让我们常被杂乱的思维所左右，无法集中精神，从而引发烦恼。
读这本书时我也在读最新的马斯克传。在欣赏且在学习佛学的我看来个，李连杰追求的度己度人的慈悲佛法似境界更高。然而执着于个人伟大愿景（让人类成为多星球生物），常常处于极端压力，过着永不满足人生的马斯克毫无疑问创造了伟大的事业。这两种截然不同的人生追求和结果我意识到，即使经历或者选择痛苦也并不就是错。没有对错，只是由缘分和道路选择构成。佛法也教导我们不要对立。
一位上师对李连杰说，最深奥的修行秘诀就是不断精进。每一刻都在修行。这与Atomic Habits《原子习惯》的核心思想呼应：把修行培养成习惯。这也对当下的我启示，把修行真正从理论融入到我的工作和社交中。
书中提到的《西藏生死书》给我种下了相信轮回的种子。以前我并不相信轮回，但现在我认为，即使相信轮回，也似乎无妨，因为它教人向善。
我也更了解了壹基金，他的理念是每人捐一块钱，全社会一起做好事。李连杰有了最初构想后，是马云帮他分析了具体可行的发展方案。看完本书我就去壹基金的官网看如何捐款。讽刺的是，因为国内管制（必须要手机注册），sim卡不好用（因为诈骗多，国内运营商不经提醒关闭了我国内sim卡在海外的access）的我无法捐款。
在书中李连杰分享了一路走来众多的仁波切。读到最后我发现自己特别喜欢宗萨钦哲仁波切，并对明就仁波切很感兴趣。我已决定即刻开始读明就仁波切Joy of Living《开心禅》。我也要去看宗萨钦哲仁波切在YouTube上分享的很多视频，他看起来是一个真正无私的上师。
最后，分享一个对仁波切的翻译。「活佛」是中國等漢地的人對一些轉世的喇嘛或修行人所用的冠稱，其實「活佛」這樣的稱呼在藏傳佛教中是沒有的，藏語對轉世再來的師父稱為Tsul gu（祖古），其意思是「化身」、「變化身」。而且因為這些乘願再來的人像珍寶一般，所以.尊稱他們為「仁波切」。
整本书是李连杰分享毕生求佛法的经历、思考和分享。书的前半部分他强烈的执着于快速修佛，超越生死。我不禁怀疑，这就是他的境界吗，如此强烈的目的心可以到达高的境界吗？书的后半部分解答了我的疑惑，他虽似苦苦追寻，但已将修行融入生命的每时每刻。
李连杰将不断变化的心绪比作“疯猴子”，这个比喻极为贴切。我们心中纷杂的念头确实像疯猴子，让我们常被杂乱的思维所左右，无法集中精神，从而引发烦恼。
读这本书时我也在读最新的马斯克传。在欣赏且在学习佛学的我看来个，李连杰追求的度己度人的慈悲佛法似境界更高。然而执着于个人伟大愿景（让人类成为多星球生物），常常处于极端压力，过着永不满足人生的马斯克毫无疑问创造了伟大的事业。这两种截然不同的人生追求和结果我意识到，即使经历或者选择痛苦也并不就是错。没有对错，只是由缘分和道路选择构成。佛法也教导我们不要对立。
一位上师对李连杰说，最深奥的修行秘诀就是不断精进。每一刻都在修行。这与Atomic Habits《原子习惯》的核心思想呼应：把修行培养成习惯。这也对当下的我启示，把修行真正从理论融入到我的工作和社交中。
书中提到的《西藏生死书》给我种下了相信轮回的种子。以前我并不相信轮回，但现在我认为，即使相信轮回，也似乎无妨，因为它教人向善。
我也更了解了壹基金，他的理念是每人捐一块钱，全社会一起做好事。李连杰有了最初构想后，是马云帮他分析了具体可行的发展方案。看完本书我就去壹基金的官网看如何捐款。讽刺的是，因为国内管制（必须要手机注册），sim卡不好用（因为诈骗多，国内运营商不经提醒关闭了我国内sim卡在海外的access）的我无法捐款。
在书中李连杰分享了一路走来众多的仁波切。读到最后我发现自己特别喜欢宗萨钦哲仁波切，并对明就仁波切很感兴趣。我已决定即刻开始读明就仁波切Joy of Living《开心禅》。我也要去看宗萨钦哲仁波切在YouTube上分享的很多视频，他看起来是一个真正无私的上师。
最后，分享一个对仁波切的翻译。「活佛」是中國等漢地的人對一些轉世的喇嘛或修行人所用的冠稱，其實「活佛」這樣的稱呼在藏傳佛教中是沒有的，藏語對轉世再來的師父稱為Tsul gu（祖古），其意思是「化身」、「變化身」。而且因為這些乘願再來的人像珍寶一般，所以.尊稱他們為「仁波切」。
Read
February 26, 2024This was the first book I picked up and read all the way through in one sitting. Technically, it's not a difficult read but conceptually it's rich and engaging. burrito craft
March 5, 2024
坦诚的学佛之路，读来智慧收获不多，但颇为有趣。
May 18, 2026
I'm old enough to remember when Jet Li was in several hit movies from the late 90s into the early 2010's in the US, so I was excited to see that he had written a book. I knew he had kind of stopped being in such high profile works in the US so I was curious to learn ore about him. Thought this was a memoir (and it is) but it's also about his philosophy and approach to life.
Li talks about his life and career, from his father dying when he was only 2 to competing in martial arts and then eventually transitioning into film after a severe injury left him perhaps unable to walk (it didn't help at the time that physical therapy and other "standard" recovery procedures were not readily available to him). There is not a lot about the moviemaking (either in China or in the US) and eventually Li moves back to Asia and engages in more philanthropic work, especially after surviving a major disaster.
This was okay. I definitely found his memoir more interesting, even if he didn't go into the movies so much (so don't bother looking for gossip because I don't think there is much, if any) rather than his thoughts on Buddhism and wanting to pursue a more spiritual path. Nothing wrong with that at all (and it gives some insight to perhaps why he's not as prominent anymore, aside from his leg injury) but it just was not something that really interested me.
Overall I am glad to have read it to see what he's been up to (there was some gossip a few years back about how he disappeared/he was severely ill, etc.) now that he appears to be mostly retired from acting/movies, etc. If you have a general curiosity about him or maybe you're a hardcore fan this would be a good read. But if you're looking for specific stuff like more about his martial arts career or gossip about the various people he's worked with in Hollywood, etc. this isn't the book.
Borrowed from the library and that was best for me.
Li talks about his life and career, from his father dying when he was only 2 to competing in martial arts and then eventually transitioning into film after a severe injury left him perhaps unable to walk (it didn't help at the time that physical therapy and other "standard" recovery procedures were not readily available to him). There is not a lot about the moviemaking (either in China or in the US) and eventually Li moves back to Asia and engages in more philanthropic work, especially after surviving a major disaster.
This was okay. I definitely found his memoir more interesting, even if he didn't go into the movies so much (so don't bother looking for gossip because I don't think there is much, if any) rather than his thoughts on Buddhism and wanting to pursue a more spiritual path. Nothing wrong with that at all (and it gives some insight to perhaps why he's not as prominent anymore, aside from his leg injury) but it just was not something that really interested me.
Overall I am glad to have read it to see what he's been up to (there was some gossip a few years back about how he disappeared/he was severely ill, etc.) now that he appears to be mostly retired from acting/movies, etc. If you have a general curiosity about him or maybe you're a hardcore fan this would be a good read. But if you're looking for specific stuff like more about his martial arts career or gossip about the various people he's worked with in Hollywood, etc. this isn't the book.
Borrowed from the library and that was best for me.
May 19, 2026
5 STAR READ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What I love about this book is that Jet Li was really that guy in movies and in martial arts, living a peaceful life made it so easy for him and the life of Buddhism. I understand what Jet Li is coming from. Being a young boy then being a movie star and then having kids, Jet Li is one with himself. I understand Jet Li and his life story
Also a perfect read for Asian American Heritage Month 🩵🙏🏻
What I love about this book is that Jet Li was really that guy in movies and in martial arts, living a peaceful life made it so easy for him and the life of Buddhism. I understand what Jet Li is coming from. Being a young boy then being a movie star and then having kids, Jet Li is one with himself. I understand Jet Li and his life story
Also a perfect read for Asian American Heritage Month 🩵🙏🏻
May 19, 2026
I really enjoyed this book ! Part biography , part Buddhist teachings, part well being book . But also a very vulnerable book about the life and hardship of Jet li and a very honest look at his ups and downs ! I will keep this book and reread it many times !! When I need to recenter myself and find compassion towards others !! A really simple yet deep look at life and death !
May 19, 2026
Not bad, but not necessarily what I hoped to get out of the book. It focuses more on Li’s lifelong journey into Buddhism with anecdotes here and there about the film’s. But on the other hand like Li himself states as a goal, he is using his fame to spread the message and awareness so it also serves as a soft introduction to Buddhist and Taoist thoughts and practices.
May 20, 2026
Mostly a memoir about his Buddhist beliefs. So much religious content, I expected Jet to confess to being a member of the Falun Gong. Barely any details about his movie work but at least now I have his version of why he did not get along with Lau Kar Leung on the set of MARTIAL ARTS OF SHAOLIN. The chapter on surviving the tsunami is the high point of the book. Don't recall if he ever mentioned being married to Nina Li Chi anywhere in the book.
May 18, 2026
I was 14 years old when I first watched “Unleashed” and my fascination with him started. I liked him even more in The Expendables.
I was very excited for his book, as you could tell. I did enjoy the book, yet I found it to be more like a religious book than a memoir.
I was very excited for his book, as you could tell. I did enjoy the book, yet I found it to be more like a religious book than a memoir.
May 12, 2026
Easy read. Honest sharing of his life on perfection, ego, and Buddhism. A good self help read to learn to be happy , 自在 self being.
March 25, 2024
李先生寫這部書是絕對出於好處. 但若要種下這苗來普渡眾生,則有些對牛彈琴. 應該要給我們這些普通人(“牛”)一些提示要往那裏去開始“尋找”自己？並不是人人都有李先生的公德,可以得到仁波切的指導.
March 15, 2026
A great experience sharing on the path to detachment and to meet life and death with peace. Such a engaging and motivational piece for a Buddha's follower.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews