Riding the Tiger: Twenty Years on the Road- Risks and Joys of Bringing Tibetan Buddhism to the West

by Ole Nydahl, Carol A. Aronoff (Editor)

"My recipe is tell people the necessity of finding something which can carry them through sickness, aging, and death, and don't be afraid to give them a glimpse of your joy of life. Tell people that the mind is like open, clear and limitless, and talk about both the way and the goal." In 1969 Ole and Hannah Nydahl became the first Western students of H.H. the Karmapa, the head of the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. After years of practice in the Himalayas, he authorized them to teach and start centers in his name. An audience with the Queen of Denmark started their work in the West. A basement in historical Copenhagen became the first Tibetan Buddhist center on the European continent, and a rusted-through VW-bus with race-car qualities got them everywhere. Riding the Tiger is the inside story of the development of Tibetan Buddhism in the West. In his refreshingly unsentimental style, Lama Ole shows all aspects of the work. With breathtaking intensity, he highlights both healthy and unhealthy tendencies in the light of the Buddha's ultimate to bring about the fully developed beings whose every activity blesses the world. Amazon Jason Anderson from Monterey, "Lama Ole Nydahl is a unique figure in modern Buddhist history--first Western student of the Black Hat lama, H.H. the XVIth Gyalwa Karmapa, married lama 'without robes, ' and spiritual figure personally chosen by the Karmapa to teach and make foundations in his name--and Riding the Tiger is filled to overflowing with his particular energies and gifts. It is a galloping book that takes the reader around the world, inviting him in for a close-up look at the making of a Buddhist center for meditation and study, and Lama Ole has successfully started over one hundred such centers. And a deep look, as well, at the nature of Buddhism in the West, how it has been transplanted, how it has flourished. ... This is a magical book and a magical ride!"

Genres: Buddhism

408 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1992

About the author

Ole Nydahl, also known as Lama Ole, is a lama providing Mahamudra teachings in the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Since the early 1970s, Nydahl has toured the world giving lectures and meditation courses. With his wife, Hannah Nydahl (1946-2007), he founded Diamond Way Buddhism, a worldwide Karma Kagyu Buddhist organization with over 600 centers for lay practitioners.

Nydahl is the author of more than twenty books (in German and English) about Diamond Way Vajrayana Buddhism, with translations into multiple languages. Titles include The Great Seal: Mahamudra View of Diamond Way Buddhism,The Way Things Are, Entering the Diamond Way, Buddha and Love and Fearless Death.

Reviews

[olenius · Rating 4 out of 5]

не натрапляла раніше на європоцентричних датських лам. Оле Нідал пише духовний тревел-щоденник подорожуючи по країнах та містах де разом з дружиною Ханною та іншими буддистами відкриває центри Діамантового шляху. Нідал прикрас розвінчує пієтет перед Сходом і жителями Тибету зокрема. часто нагадує, що вони бруднулі і європейський ум не тільки здатний до буддизму і практик, а дуже здатний, завдяки високому рівню освіченості європейський ум знаходиться у режимі підвищеної готовності до Істини.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

pokračování toho, jak Lama Ole zakládal buddhistická centra po západním světě a plnil tak přání 16. Karmapy, s jakými problémy se potýkala centra tehdy a jak zajímavé je, že se stejnými problémy potýkáme i nyní..
poměrně fajn si každý rok přečíst a možná bychom si ušetřili spoustu zmatku a nejasností

[Rick Hoines · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to inspire Buddhists

DHARMA and more. As a great meditation master Ole traveled three times around the world each year for more than 50 years.

[Szabolcs Bökönyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty years of stories and experiences while bringing Buddhas teachings to the West. Lama Ole constantly travels around the World and shares his experience, joy and wisdom with his students. This book is about his work and his activity.

[Nadezhda Angelova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, showing the development of Diamond Way Buddhism in the West. This is how the centres grew all over the world, giving the precious opportunity people to meet with the teachings of Karma Kagyu tradition.