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The Prince and the Zombie: Tibetan Tales of Karma
In this series of tales, a prince must capture and bring back to his country a zombie who is endowed with magical powers—but in order to succeed he must keep himself from speaking even one word to the zombie. The zombie is wily, and during the long journey he recounts fascinating tales to the prince, who is carrying him in a sack on his back. Spellbound by the stories, the prince is drawn into making some comment on them. But the very moment he opens his mouth, the zombie escapes, and the prince has to go back to India to catch the zombie all over again. This same scenario occurs over and over, tale after tale, journey after journey—until the prince truly learns his lesson.These zombie stories, known as the Vetalapancavimsati in Sanskrit, are engrossing teaching tales that originated in ancient India but have become popular in the Buddhist culture of Tibet, as well as in other Asian cultures. This Tibetan version of the stories conveys the values of Buddhism, particularly those related to karma (the laws of cause and effect), happiness, and suffering. Through these tales, the reader learns that Buddhism is a path of knowledge that leads to liberation from suffering.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2015
13 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 20, 2023
.More reviews like this one on my blog Snapdragon Alcove
Every now and then I go to a library book sale that open up twice a mouth. The sale is in the basement of the library. When you first walk through the door a large room that leads to more rooms turning in to an endless labyrinth of books. Making my way through this labyrinth I find a little bookcase of books on mythology.
Between to large collages textbooks on mythology I find a little book called the Prince and the Zombie. I was intrigued by the title and decided to buy it.
Like 1001 Arabian Nights, The Prince and the Zombie is a book with small stories within a larger story. Each story has a lesson or meaning to it and I enjoy each one. There is Buddhism teaching of karma. It not my belief I do find it interesting learning about Tibetan culture and their belief. Regards to karma I agree that our actions have consequence.
Every now and then I go to a library book sale that open up twice a mouth. The sale is in the basement of the library. When you first walk through the door a large room that leads to more rooms turning in to an endless labyrinth of books. Making my way through this labyrinth I find a little bookcase of books on mythology.
Between to large collages textbooks on mythology I find a little book called the Prince and the Zombie. I was intrigued by the title and decided to buy it.
Like 1001 Arabian Nights, The Prince and the Zombie is a book with small stories within a larger story. Each story has a lesson or meaning to it and I enjoy each one. There is Buddhism teaching of karma. It not my belief I do find it interesting learning about Tibetan culture and their belief. Regards to karma I agree that our actions have consequence.
January 2, 2024
I loved this. I recapped it for a friend of mine (... and her toddler ... while we were hiking? I'm a weird companion, y'all). I've since discovered some very similar stories in another tradition and now I'm interested (read: obsessed with) finding those and trying to trace any connections.
If you like wisdom stories, or (non-Disney) fairy tales, or apocrypha, or myths and legends, or stuff like Beowulf and the Prose Eddas and the 1001 Nights, then I'd recommend checking this out. It's not the easiest read (neither is Beowulf) but it's worth it.
tl;dr If you read Beowulf or the 1001 Nights for pleasure, check this out.
UPDATE January 2024: Reread it to remind myself of the zombie's stories. Still very enjoyable and it's a quick read.
I don't know why I said it wasn't the easiest read--I implied it's harder to read than it actually is. As I said, it's a quick read.
If you like wisdom stories, or (non-Disney) fairy tales, or apocrypha, or myths and legends, or stuff like Beowulf and the Prose Eddas and the 1001 Nights, then I'd recommend checking this out. It's not the easiest read (neither is Beowulf) but it's worth it.
tl;dr If you read Beowulf or the 1001 Nights for pleasure, check this out.
UPDATE January 2024: Reread it to remind myself of the zombie's stories. Still very enjoyable and it's a quick read.
I don't know why I said it wasn't the easiest read--I implied it's harder to read than it actually is. As I said, it's a quick read.
August 7, 2020
As Jason Weiser from the Myths and Legends podcast has mentioned: When transcribing stories from folklore, there are 2 ways to do it:
1) preserve the story and all its elements to preserve and communicate the culture
2) change the story and its elements to suit a modern audience
This book does (1). If you like it to be 2, where you're expecting women to be empowered or for the author to cut down any wordiness, don't read this.
Read this for a peek into Tibetan/rural Chinese culture, for Buddhist teachings and karma, and to really feel the arduous journey of the Prince on capturing and delivering the zombie successfully, and what it means to learn from your mistakes.
1) preserve the story and all its elements to preserve and communicate the culture
2) change the story and its elements to suit a modern audience
This book does (1). If you like it to be 2, where you're expecting women to be empowered or for the author to cut down any wordiness, don't read this.
Read this for a peek into Tibetan/rural Chinese culture, for Buddhist teachings and karma, and to really feel the arduous journey of the Prince on capturing and delivering the zombie successfully, and what it means to learn from your mistakes.
November 8, 2022
I read this in a day. It's definitely not something I usually read, and I'm glad I had some exposure to Tibetan folklore. But the main thing I was thinking was that the prince, sent by a sage in a cave to go get a zombie that will allow him to redeem himself, was very dumb. If a woman was sent by the sage, I have a feeling that the trip would have been 3 days.
March 5, 2021
This was a nice collection of tales relating to Tibet, karma, and more (no surprise given the title). Many of the tales were quite entertaining, and I enjoyed the morals from most of them! I could've done without the repeating passages on (spoiler) recapturing the zombie, but that's not a huge deal. I think it's written in an accessible way that both (1) introduces Buddhist concepts and (2) introduces Tibetan culture. I especially enjoyed the notes at the end of the book that help elucidate some Buddhist concepts with the stories.
Overall, if you're interested in Tibetan culture and/or Buddhism, this short book is worth a read.
Overall, if you're interested in Tibetan culture and/or Buddhism, this short book is worth a read.
February 19, 2024
Similar framing story of 1001 nights. All of these stories were passed down from person to person so it's a product of its time. Little stories that teach little lessons. It was amusing at times,and at times redundant with same text in chapters of Prince recapturing the Zombie over and over, which I skipped. Makes for a quick read only 100 pages or so. Originally 2 stars but I gave an extra star when I found myself bookmarking the afterwords and the glossary which I know would find myself referencing and reading back again, as it describes some Buddhist teachings and how it applies to the overall story. This bit I liked.
February 24, 2025
Tất cả những gì chúng ta phải làm để chuyển hoá điểm yếu và thế mạnh là thay đổi cách nhìn nhận bên trong của chúng ta đối với sự vật.
Trau dồi sự bố thí không dính mắc; nói lời chính ngữ: không nói dối, không nói lời gây chia rẻ, không dùng từ thô lậu, không nói chuyện phiếm, ứng xử phù hợp; theo đuổi nghề nghiệp đúng đắn; kiên nhẫn, nỗ lực trong khó khăn thử thách; thiền định; học tập và hiểu mọi sự đều không tồn tại độc lập vô điều kiện.
Những câu chuyện của thây ma trong hành trình trả nghiệp xấu của hoàng tử là những câu chuyện dân gian quen thuộc với các nền văn hoá, chúng chứa đựng bài học về tình người, hay châm biếm về xã hội, thú vị và không bao giờ cũ kĩ theo thời gian.
Trau dồi sự bố thí không dính mắc; nói lời chính ngữ: không nói dối, không nói lời gây chia rẻ, không dùng từ thô lậu, không nói chuyện phiếm, ứng xử phù hợp; theo đuổi nghề nghiệp đúng đắn; kiên nhẫn, nỗ lực trong khó khăn thử thách; thiền định; học tập và hiểu mọi sự đều không tồn tại độc lập vô điều kiện.
Những câu chuyện của thây ma trong hành trình trả nghiệp xấu của hoàng tử là những câu chuyện dân gian quen thuộc với các nền văn hoá, chúng chứa đựng bài học về tình người, hay châm biếm về xã hội, thú vị và không bao giờ cũ kĩ theo thời gian.
February 18, 2025
These are 14 tales and 1 framing device, all about karma.
I really enjoyed the Buddhist message. There is also a similarity between the repeated chapters recaptuing the "zombie" and the repeated sections of the Diamond Sutra.
I would love to read more of these traditional stories.
My only note is that the term zombie is an interesting translation. I'd call the character more similar to a revenant or the greek spirits in The Odyssey rather than either the Voodoo Zombies or Romero derived version.
I really enjoyed the Buddhist message. There is also a similarity between the repeated chapters recaptuing the "zombie" and the repeated sections of the Diamond Sutra.
I would love to read more of these traditional stories.
My only note is that the term zombie is an interesting translation. I'd call the character more similar to a revenant or the greek spirits in The Odyssey rather than either the Voodoo Zombies or Romero derived version.
November 16, 2022
Dear Shambhala Publications Team,
As I wrote the original version in french, I discovered this english translation which I find remarcable. Excellent work done by an american Buddhist. Thank you very much. Please note that the french version has been enriched with 3 new stories told orally by my root Lama in France and reedited in 2018 in Switzerland. I hope that there will be also an update once for the english version.
As I wrote the original version in french, I discovered this english translation which I find remarcable. Excellent work done by an american Buddhist. Thank you very much. Please note that the french version has been enriched with 3 new stories told orally by my root Lama in France and reedited in 2018 in Switzerland. I hope that there will be also an update once for the english version.
November 12, 2019
I thought the stories were fun. The book mentions more stories are commonly put with this folklore so I wish they added those stories.
Unlike the 1001 nights, none of these stories involved murdering people for their religion. I like that these stories tell the same message as many Arabian counterparts but due to their connection to Buddhism and Karma, the stories are more uplifting.
Unlike the 1001 nights, none of these stories involved murdering people for their religion. I like that these stories tell the same message as many Arabian counterparts but due to their connection to Buddhism and Karma, the stories are more uplifting.
March 30, 2020
Wonderful set of stories I read with my 9 year old son but it is really for an older audience, there is violence and sexual suggestion.
The over all message is a positive one and the stories are unique and very memorable. I would recommend this to everyone but read the chapters in sections and take a break between sections to really absorb each story.
The over all message is a positive one and the stories are unique and very memorable. I would recommend this to everyone but read the chapters in sections and take a break between sections to really absorb each story.
February 9, 2020
The didactic tales are simple and a joy to read, reminiscent of the didactic tales from 'Vikram & Betal' which I enjoyed as a kid.
November 23, 2025
Muy repetitivo y sin trascendencia filosófica significativa.
April 16, 2015
These traditional Tibetan tales read just like you are listening to a story told by your grandfather. They are straightforward, entertaining, and pleasantly repetitive. The entire story is framed by a prince wishing to clear his karma. He must capture a particular zombie and transport the zombie to a wise man. This act will clear his karma. There is one catch! Once the zombie is enclosed in the prince’s carrying sack, the prince cannot utter a single word or the zombie is set free. I particularly loved the stories the zombie tells on his journey. All have a good message and are very entertaining. I laughed out loud at a couple of scenes. It was easy to find a point to stop and come back to so it makes for easy consumption of the novel. At the end, the author includes short discussions on karma, Buddhism, a recommended reading list, and a glossary. These would be helpful for further study. I would recommend this story for high school and adult ages if you are reading it by yourself. However, I believe you could read it aloud to an elementary age child and have them appreciate each story and how they all fit together. This would make a great multi-cultural addition to any library!
April 26, 2015
I would highly recommend this book of Tibetan Karma Tales.
It is very similar in structure to the Arabian Nights: there is a framing story of a prince who must bring a zombie from India back to a guru in Tibet. There's a catch though - the prince must not utter a single word to the zombie after he's captured him. On the way back to the guru, the zombie tells the prince a Karma Tale, the prince forgets himself and comments on the tale, and the zombie escapes. The prince must start all over again. This goes on for several tales.
This structure goes on through the telling of several stories, each of which gives a lesson on an aspect of Karma.
Although some may say that the descriptions of the same method of the capture of the zombie after the prince speaks and allows him to escape are repetitive, I must disagree. The repetition is very much in line with how these stories would have been shared orally. I did not find the repetition annoying in the least.
The book is a quick, fun read. Plus, you might even learn something from the tales told within.
It is very similar in structure to the Arabian Nights: there is a framing story of a prince who must bring a zombie from India back to a guru in Tibet. There's a catch though - the prince must not utter a single word to the zombie after he's captured him. On the way back to the guru, the zombie tells the prince a Karma Tale, the prince forgets himself and comments on the tale, and the zombie escapes. The prince must start all over again. This goes on for several tales.
This structure goes on through the telling of several stories, each of which gives a lesson on an aspect of Karma.
Although some may say that the descriptions of the same method of the capture of the zombie after the prince speaks and allows him to escape are repetitive, I must disagree. The repetition is very much in line with how these stories would have been shared orally. I did not find the repetition annoying in the least.
The book is a quick, fun read. Plus, you might even learn something from the tales told within.
November 18, 2020
A prince gets himself into trouble and so he is told he needs to go find a specific zombie, capture him, and bring him back. He’s warned that if he talks to the zombie, it will magically break free and he’ll have to start all over again. So, he brings his journey, finds and capture the zombie, and begins his journey home. The zombie decides to tell the prince stories as they travel in hopes that the prince will talk to him.
The stories the zombie tells are known as Vetalapancavimsati, they originated in India but are very popular in Buddhist culture and Tibet. Each story (some told in multiple parts) have a moral, usually surrounding karma. It was really interesting to see another culture’s folklore. I’m very used to Western fairytales, so I enjoyed reading them.
Since this story is a bit like Groundhog Day, there is some repeating of the story. The part where the prince travels to India to capture the Zombie is a little different each time, but you can speed through it.
The stories the zombie tells are known as Vetalapancavimsati, they originated in India but are very popular in Buddhist culture and Tibet. Each story (some told in multiple parts) have a moral, usually surrounding karma. It was really interesting to see another culture’s folklore. I’m very used to Western fairytales, so I enjoyed reading them.
Since this story is a bit like Groundhog Day, there is some repeating of the story. The part where the prince travels to India to capture the Zombie is a little different each time, but you can speed through it.
April 18, 2015
Tenzin Wangmo has done a great work for the Tibetan Culture. For this she has received the 2nd Price of the first tibetfocus-Culture-Award 2013 of the Swiss-Tibetan Friendship Association.
The tibetfocus-team is happy that Tenzin Wangmo's book "Ro-Dung" has been translated now into an English version! Tashi Delek for it!
www.tibetfocus.com
Award-winners see in:
http://tibetfocus.com/?dl_id=131
The tibetfocus-team is happy that Tenzin Wangmo's book "Ro-Dung" has been translated now into an English version! Tashi Delek for it!
www.tibetfocus.com
Award-winners see in:
http://tibetfocus.com/?dl_id=131
April 2, 2015
The stories are a joy to read at the end of a busy and hectic day at work.
Tenzin Wangmo found the right balance between imagination and reflection.
I read the stories slowly, savouring one at the time and asking myself what was the message I could take for me and my present life situation.
Every time, something came to my attention, enriching both my heart and my mind.
Tenzin Wangmo found the right balance between imagination and reflection.
I read the stories slowly, savouring one at the time and asking myself what was the message I could take for me and my present life situation.
Every time, something came to my attention, enriching both my heart and my mind.
April 19, 2015
This is a cute book, but did not help me understand about karma much. It is like 1001 Arabian Tales. The stories felt unfinished to me.
November 1, 2015
Beautifully written and a great illustration of our personal behaviors
January 25, 2016
A collection of very straightforward and simple tales of karma. Not much more to be said, you can knock this out in a couple hours, and I recommend you do so. You'll better understand the philosophy.
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