Enlightened Vagabond

by Matthieu Ricard, Constance Wilkinson, Roger Clark (Narrator)

Colorful stories about and profound teachings of Patrul Rinpoche, one of the most impactful teachers and thinkers in the Tibetan tradition from the 19th century.

The life and teachings of the wandering yogi Patrul Rinpoche - a highly revered Buddhist master and scholar of 19th-century Tibet - come alive in true stories gathered and translated by the French Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard over more than 30 years, based on the oral accounts of great contemporary teachers as well as written sources. Patrul's life story reveals the nature of a highly realized being as he transmits the Dharma in everything he does, teaching both simple nomads and great lamas in ways that are often unconventional and even humorous, but always with uncompromising authenticity.

Genres: Buddhism, Biography, Spirituality, Meditation, Audiobook, Nonfiction

MP3 CD

Published October 17, 2017

About the author

Matthieu Ricard, a Buddhist monk, trained as a molecular biologist before moving to Nepal to study Buddhism. He is the author of The Monk and the Philosopher (with his father, Jean-François Revel); The Quantum and the Lotus (with Trinh Thuan); Happiness; The Art of Meditation; Altruism: The Power of Compassion; A Plea for the Animals; and Beyond the Self: Conversations between Buddhism and Neuroscience (with Wolf Singer). He has published several books of photography, including Motionless Journey and Tibet: An Inner Journey, and is the French interpreter for the Dalai Lama.

Reviews

[Dhātturā · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE! LOVE! Endless wisdom here of a different kind. Raw insight from a vagabond. Truths from a human who let go of clinging. Humor from a beam who laughed at it all! Matthieu has done a great service for the age of us who cannot follow dogma and skirt the pomp and grandeur of established, bloated institutions. Patrul (1808-1887) was a near contemporary, which places these penetrating words ... closer to home. Much praise for the work done here. Aho!

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never tire of hearing stories about Patrul Rinpoche.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book about the life of Patrul Rinpoche. Many great words of advice and example along the way.

[Hakim Eru Ilúvatar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring.

[Signe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not for everyone. You have to be in love with Patrul Rinpoche and appreciate the storytelling methods used hundreds of years ago to get through it. Unlike Ani Pema, I did NOT throw Patrul Rinpoche's book, "The Words of My Perfect Teacher" across the room when I read it, but if this wasn't in audio form, I would definitely consider it.

Matthieu Ricard is fantastic as a Buddhist practitioner, historian and scholar, and I adore all of his offerings except for this one. I can't finish it. The language and stories need to be more relatable to today's world.

[Nikko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible stories that are powerful, moving, awe-inspiring, funny. I was sorry when it ended, so I started again.

Note: I work for Shambhala Publications but this is an objective review. I only revew a few Shambhala.books each year, and review many others from other publishers.

[Artūrs Kaņepājs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of stories and legends about the great teacher leaves no doubt about his magnificence. Many of the stories are inspiring. Admittedly, some stories, eg about his feats as a small child, felt distracting because they were so hard to believe. Nevertheless, I am very grateful to Matthieu Ricard for this book and other works. In particular, Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill ignited my meditation practice and interest in Buddhist philosophy.

[Don Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring stories from Patrul Rinpoche's life. His book, The Words of My Perfect Teacher, got me through a very rough time some years back. These stories show him in his everyday life, interacting with students and teachers, and just being a pure example of the Dharma. An inspiring book for every practitioner.

[Eunsung · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book on the life and teachings of Patrick Rinpoche. This books reminds me of the collected stories of Zen Man Ikkyu, Patrul is also an unconventional showing others the light of the dharma.

A quote from page 93 about the Key to Practice: “To blend study, reflection, and meditation is the crucial, unmistaken key to dharma practice.”

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrul Rinpoche was a true embodiment of the bodhisattva ideal, and this collection of his stories is both inspiring and a joy to read. Thanks to Matthieu Ricard for thoughtfully compiling and sharing these stories.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining book of the stories told about the Tibetan yogi and master, Patrul, interspersed with his poetic teachings.

[Christine Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and often amusing account of the life and teachings of a great Buddhist master.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this would be interesting for anyone studying Tibetan Buddhism or culture.

[Christopher Devlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great telling of the life of an inspirational and very unconventional spiritual master

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

wondrous!

[Jim Kinkaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing inspirational book on one of the great Buddhist masters

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a charming and inspiring little book. Much of which was difficult to understand but the scenes were described so precicely, I could follow the vagabond’s journey and be inspired by his teachings. The narrator of the Audible version was able to pronounce all those strange names with great courage and confidence. I am glad to have the Audible version as I fear I would have never gotten through the book were I to have to read those very complicated names. I am enriched by this read.