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Leaving Buddha: A Tibetan Monk’s Encounter with the Living God
Where Does the Search for Truth Lead?
When Tenzin Lahkpa is fifteen years old, his parents give him over to a local temple in Tibet as an offering. Unable to change his fate, he wholeheartedly embraces his life as a monk and begins a quest for full enlightenment through the teachings of Buddhism.
From his local monastery to the famed Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, he learns deep mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Yearning to study with the current Dalai Lama, he eventually escapes from China by means of an excruciating, two-thousand-mile, secret trek over the Himalayas—barefoot, with no extra gear, changes of clothing, or money. His dream is realized when he finally sits under the Dalai Lama himself. But his desire to go deeper only grows, leading him to unexpected conclusions….
Follow the fascinating, never-before-told, true story of what causes a highly dedicated Tibetan Buddhist monk to make the radical decision to walk away from the teachings of Buddha and leave his monastery to follow Jesus Christ. Discover the reasons other monks want him dead before he can share his story with others.
Leaving Buddha dares to expose the mysterious world of Tibetan Buddhism, with its layered teachings, intricate practices—and troubling secrets. Ultimately, it tells a moving story about the search for truth, the path of enlightenment, and how no one is beyond the reach of a loving God. This gripping narrative will resonate with people from all backgrounds and nations.
When Tenzin Lahkpa is fifteen years old, his parents give him over to a local temple in Tibet as an offering. Unable to change his fate, he wholeheartedly embraces his life as a monk and begins a quest for full enlightenment through the teachings of Buddhism.
From his local monastery to the famed Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, he learns deep mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Yearning to study with the current Dalai Lama, he eventually escapes from China by means of an excruciating, two-thousand-mile, secret trek over the Himalayas—barefoot, with no extra gear, changes of clothing, or money. His dream is realized when he finally sits under the Dalai Lama himself. But his desire to go deeper only grows, leading him to unexpected conclusions….
Follow the fascinating, never-before-told, true story of what causes a highly dedicated Tibetan Buddhist monk to make the radical decision to walk away from the teachings of Buddha and leave his monastery to follow Jesus Christ. Discover the reasons other monks want him dead before he can share his story with others.
Leaving Buddha dares to expose the mysterious world of Tibetan Buddhism, with its layered teachings, intricate practices—and troubling secrets. Ultimately, it tells a moving story about the search for truth, the path of enlightenment, and how no one is beyond the reach of a loving God. This gripping narrative will resonate with people from all backgrounds and nations.
208 pages, Paperback
First published February 5, 2019
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September 14, 2020
This is a very good account of a Tibetan monk’s conversion to Christianity. I did not realize how different are different branches of Buddhism.
Here are some interesting quotes:
Those who are not really familiar familiar with Buddhism might think that Tibetan Buddhism teaches love as one of its main tenants of faith, but it does not. Anyone who would argue that Buddhism is about love does not know the true story of Buddha’s family. (32)
From a very young age, Tibetan Buddhists are taught that showing love and affection toward one’s family members is a fetter, or impediment, to achieving enlightenment. In order to attain enlightenment, which is the greatest quest for any Tibetan, you must cut off your feelings of love and emotion toward those who are closest to you. (33)
In Tibetan Buddhism, there is no “good and evil,” as in the Christian sense—there is only positive and negative karma, or things that will cause suffering or blessing in the next life. Something that is evil by the simple fact of being a sin does not exist. Karma is like a point-based system—sort of like a bank account. Your bank account is either positive or negative. (36)
Every Buddhist child is told the story of this great white elephant. It is a powerful image that can be found as the centerpiece of art in Buddhist culture. … the elephant melted into the queen’s body. “At that moment, the queen woke up. She ran to tell the king about her dream, and together they ran to the wise men of the court, who told them that her dream was great fortune. The wise men told the queen that she had been chosen to give birth to a great son, and he would change the world.” That son was Prince Siddhartha, who would later become Buddha. Siddhartha was actually born into a Hindu family and was a practicing Hindu his entire life. When Siddhartha was born, a Brahmin, or Hindu priest, prophesied to the king that this son would one day be a great king, (39)
The Four Sights of Buddha are four things Siddhartha saw that started his entire journey to enlightenment and led to what we now call Buddhism. The young prince did not venture outside of his castle walls until he was about twenty-nine years old. When he did, his first sight was of an old man, and he witnessed the effects of age. His good friend Channa, … For his second sight, he saw a sick person. This shocked him, also, because he had never before seen a sick person. … For his second sight, he saw a sick person. This shocked him, also, because he had never before seen a sick person. … After seeing these three examples of human frailty, Siddhartha saw a fourth sight—a monk who had devoted his life to finding the cause of human suffering. (40)
The Four Sights led Siddhartha to have huge questions that his religion did not and could not answer. He did not leave his comfortable life as the pampered prince to train as a priest. From reading his writings my entire life, I have found no evidence that he set out to start a new religion or become a famous teacher. He left because the things that he had seen greatly disturbed him and left him with unanswered questions. He saw pain and suffering and wanted to know why and how to end it. (41)
Handicapped children have no place in a Buddhist monastery because they are not considered whole. (58)
Though many Buddhist monks study one form of Buddhism or another, Tibetan monks study all forms of Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism is a mix of Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, Hinduism, and the ancient animistic Tibetan religion of Bön. (69)
“There is no good and evil. We must wipe our minds of such dualism because it does not exist. There is only one single power that controls us all, and it is neither good nor evil.” (70)
A dakini is often the term for someone who is used for sexual pleasure by Tibetan lamas. (73)
Gantdo Lama turns all of his disciples into dakinis during their first year of service.” Many of the lamas at our temple had secret wives that they would sneak out to meet, while others had dakinis, but I had never imagined they would use the boy monks for this. (73)
They walk around like they are so holy and enlightened, but so many of them are child rapists.” (73)
“The teachings here really blur the lines, you know? I mean, the first thing that they do is tell you that there is no such thing as good and evil. They remove the boundaries between what you think is good and what you think is bad. After a while, everything is relative. From day one, we are taught that pain is the result of desire, and enlightenment is giving yourself over to where boundaries no longer exist. Oh yeah, they love that. That way, when you feel the pain of them raping you, it is your problem—not theirs!” (74)
In Tibetan Buddhism, there are eighteen different levels of hell. (75)
These Four Noble Truths are the essence of what it means to be Buddhist. They are the foundational teachings on which all else is built: Suffering exists. Suffering arises from desire. Suffering ceases when desire ceases. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path. (79)
Women are considered to be a hellish temptation to the soul and are lower In the cycle of life. They would need to reincarnate at least one more time as a man I order to seek enlightenment. (100)
The Tibetan system is unapologetically patriarchal, and the idea of equality between the sexes has been incubated in other societies, but not in our culture. Many people mistake Buddhist practices from other parts of China with Tibetan Buddhism. (100)
The Buddha himself said, ‘Of all the scents that can enslave, none is more lethal than that of a woman. Of all the tastes that can enslave, none is more lethal than that of a woman. Of all the voices that can enslave, none is more lethal than that of a woman. Of all the caresses that can enslave, none is more lethal that that of woman.” (101)
Even though the Tibetan people pray to Palden Lhamo as a protector, she is actually extremely wrathful. Her image is always angry and her fury is represented by an all-consuming fire that continually surrounds her. Her story is one of vile rampage and bloodshed. bloodshed. Palden Lhamo was married to the king of Lanka, who would not accept the Buddhist religion. The goddess tried many times to convert him, but he would not accept. In her anger at her failed attempts to convert the king, she killed her own son while her husband was out hunting. Then she ate her son’s flesh, drank his blood from his skull, and flayed his skin to make a saddle for her horse before fleeing from her kingdom and heading north toward Tibet. Palden Lhamo eventually died and went to hell, but in her anger, she fought her way out of hell (133)
Almost all the gods and goddesses that we prayed to and sought guidance from had extremely violent stories to tell. (134)
Buddha was a Hindu, and unlike other religious leaders, his divine revelations were realized in his lifetime. He did not have to die before people recognized who he was. Disciples followed him and devoted their lives to him until his death. Buddha traveled to India and discovered Bodhi, which means enlightenment or awakening. Bodhi is the road to Abhidharma. To obtain Bodhi, Buddha wandered along the holy Ganges River looking for spiritual teachers who would be able to lead him to enlightenment. After finding the best teachers in the world and learning all they had to teach him, Buddha realized that he had not found enlightenment, so he continued his journey. I, too, was on a search for teachers to lead me to enlightenment.
And, as with my journey, Buddha experienced extreme suffering. He ate nothing for days at a time except for one grain of wheat and one sesame seed until he was little more than a thin layer of skin clinging to his bones. Birds made nests in his matted hair, and layers of dust covered his dried-up body as he went months without bathing. He slept on a bed of nails that pricked through his thin skin. Finally, Buddha found a place under a tree for meditation and sat completely still for forty-nine days without uttering a word, and it was there that he was truly awakened. That tree, known as the Bodhi Tree, is a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists around the world who seek enlightenment. Others realized how Buddha had been enlightened and wanted to be awakened, too, so they followed him, and he taught them the truth about Bodhi.
Like Buddha, I, too, was on a pilgrimage and wanted to realize Bodhi before I died. (146-147)
“Do not play with Jesus, boy! He is more deadly than Mara and will keep you from enlightenment. Mara only has the power to trick you out of your prana, but Jesus can take it away. Mara can conquer you with darkness, but Jesus will conquer you with light. Unlike Mara, Jesus can control the life force of your jiva. I have seen the power of those who follow Jesus.
I honestly didn’t know how one god - one that I had never heard of - could disrupt the entire order of heaven and earth.
We should not even be discussing him. Talking about him gives him power. He disrupts the entire order of all that we know, because he can overpower the loka of the underworld and the gods that lead us to enlightenment. He destroys the Middle Way. Even Yama, the lord of death, leaves him alone, because Jesus would release the spirits from their bondage and turn them loose! If a spirit escapes the bondage of Yama before their time to be released, they can go in between the different realms and wreck havoc on us all.” …
Unlike the other gods, Jesus is given power through sharing about him. He is like a deadly virus - by the time you realize how deadly he is, he has already infected everyone in your home. (169-170)
Almost all of these leaders have wives and families outside of the monastery whom they sneak away and see when no one is looking. The Dalai Lama himself has several. (182)
In all the years that I had studied Buddhism, I had never heard anyone bring up the name of Jesus. (194)
Why can’t we ask honest questions about Jesus in the same way we do for the 33 million Hindu gods? Because we are not Hindus - we are Buddhists. And Jesus is not a god; he is a dangerous deceiver. (195)
In Tibetan Buddhism, although there are teachings about sins and atonements, there is no place for a Savior who is capable of atoning for the sins of the world. Atonement is built on the idea of works, not grace. Faith in Jesus as the Messiah is central to the Bible, whereas Buddhism focuses on faith in self-awareness. (207)
I was no longer a prisoner of Buddha. They were. I was being beaten for leaving Buddha, and they were beating me because they were too afraid. (223)
(NOTE: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book or a B. 3 stars means a very good book or a B+. 4 stars means an outstanding book or an A {only about 5% of the books I read merit 4 stars}. 5 stars means an all time favorite or an A+ {Only one of 400 or 500 books rates this!).
Here are some interesting quotes:
Those who are not really familiar familiar with Buddhism might think that Tibetan Buddhism teaches love as one of its main tenants of faith, but it does not. Anyone who would argue that Buddhism is about love does not know the true story of Buddha’s family. (32)
From a very young age, Tibetan Buddhists are taught that showing love and affection toward one’s family members is a fetter, or impediment, to achieving enlightenment. In order to attain enlightenment, which is the greatest quest for any Tibetan, you must cut off your feelings of love and emotion toward those who are closest to you. (33)
In Tibetan Buddhism, there is no “good and evil,” as in the Christian sense—there is only positive and negative karma, or things that will cause suffering or blessing in the next life. Something that is evil by the simple fact of being a sin does not exist. Karma is like a point-based system—sort of like a bank account. Your bank account is either positive or negative. (36)
Every Buddhist child is told the story of this great white elephant. It is a powerful image that can be found as the centerpiece of art in Buddhist culture. … the elephant melted into the queen’s body. “At that moment, the queen woke up. She ran to tell the king about her dream, and together they ran to the wise men of the court, who told them that her dream was great fortune. The wise men told the queen that she had been chosen to give birth to a great son, and he would change the world.” That son was Prince Siddhartha, who would later become Buddha. Siddhartha was actually born into a Hindu family and was a practicing Hindu his entire life. When Siddhartha was born, a Brahmin, or Hindu priest, prophesied to the king that this son would one day be a great king, (39)
The Four Sights of Buddha are four things Siddhartha saw that started his entire journey to enlightenment and led to what we now call Buddhism. The young prince did not venture outside of his castle walls until he was about twenty-nine years old. When he did, his first sight was of an old man, and he witnessed the effects of age. His good friend Channa, … For his second sight, he saw a sick person. This shocked him, also, because he had never before seen a sick person. … For his second sight, he saw a sick person. This shocked him, also, because he had never before seen a sick person. … After seeing these three examples of human frailty, Siddhartha saw a fourth sight—a monk who had devoted his life to finding the cause of human suffering. (40)
The Four Sights led Siddhartha to have huge questions that his religion did not and could not answer. He did not leave his comfortable life as the pampered prince to train as a priest. From reading his writings my entire life, I have found no evidence that he set out to start a new religion or become a famous teacher. He left because the things that he had seen greatly disturbed him and left him with unanswered questions. He saw pain and suffering and wanted to know why and how to end it. (41)
Handicapped children have no place in a Buddhist monastery because they are not considered whole. (58)
Though many Buddhist monks study one form of Buddhism or another, Tibetan monks study all forms of Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism is a mix of Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, Hinduism, and the ancient animistic Tibetan religion of Bön. (69)
“There is no good and evil. We must wipe our minds of such dualism because it does not exist. There is only one single power that controls us all, and it is neither good nor evil.” (70)
A dakini is often the term for someone who is used for sexual pleasure by Tibetan lamas. (73)
Gantdo Lama turns all of his disciples into dakinis during their first year of service.” Many of the lamas at our temple had secret wives that they would sneak out to meet, while others had dakinis, but I had never imagined they would use the boy monks for this. (73)
They walk around like they are so holy and enlightened, but so many of them are child rapists.” (73)
“The teachings here really blur the lines, you know? I mean, the first thing that they do is tell you that there is no such thing as good and evil. They remove the boundaries between what you think is good and what you think is bad. After a while, everything is relative. From day one, we are taught that pain is the result of desire, and enlightenment is giving yourself over to where boundaries no longer exist. Oh yeah, they love that. That way, when you feel the pain of them raping you, it is your problem—not theirs!” (74)
In Tibetan Buddhism, there are eighteen different levels of hell. (75)
These Four Noble Truths are the essence of what it means to be Buddhist. They are the foundational teachings on which all else is built: Suffering exists. Suffering arises from desire. Suffering ceases when desire ceases. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path. (79)
Women are considered to be a hellish temptation to the soul and are lower In the cycle of life. They would need to reincarnate at least one more time as a man I order to seek enlightenment. (100)
The Tibetan system is unapologetically patriarchal, and the idea of equality between the sexes has been incubated in other societies, but not in our culture. Many people mistake Buddhist practices from other parts of China with Tibetan Buddhism. (100)
The Buddha himself said, ‘Of all the scents that can enslave, none is more lethal than that of a woman. Of all the tastes that can enslave, none is more lethal than that of a woman. Of all the voices that can enslave, none is more lethal than that of a woman. Of all the caresses that can enslave, none is more lethal that that of woman.” (101)
Even though the Tibetan people pray to Palden Lhamo as a protector, she is actually extremely wrathful. Her image is always angry and her fury is represented by an all-consuming fire that continually surrounds her. Her story is one of vile rampage and bloodshed. bloodshed. Palden Lhamo was married to the king of Lanka, who would not accept the Buddhist religion. The goddess tried many times to convert him, but he would not accept. In her anger at her failed attempts to convert the king, she killed her own son while her husband was out hunting. Then she ate her son’s flesh, drank his blood from his skull, and flayed his skin to make a saddle for her horse before fleeing from her kingdom and heading north toward Tibet. Palden Lhamo eventually died and went to hell, but in her anger, she fought her way out of hell (133)
Almost all the gods and goddesses that we prayed to and sought guidance from had extremely violent stories to tell. (134)
Buddha was a Hindu, and unlike other religious leaders, his divine revelations were realized in his lifetime. He did not have to die before people recognized who he was. Disciples followed him and devoted their lives to him until his death. Buddha traveled to India and discovered Bodhi, which means enlightenment or awakening. Bodhi is the road to Abhidharma. To obtain Bodhi, Buddha wandered along the holy Ganges River looking for spiritual teachers who would be able to lead him to enlightenment. After finding the best teachers in the world and learning all they had to teach him, Buddha realized that he had not found enlightenment, so he continued his journey. I, too, was on a search for teachers to lead me to enlightenment.
And, as with my journey, Buddha experienced extreme suffering. He ate nothing for days at a time except for one grain of wheat and one sesame seed until he was little more than a thin layer of skin clinging to his bones. Birds made nests in his matted hair, and layers of dust covered his dried-up body as he went months without bathing. He slept on a bed of nails that pricked through his thin skin. Finally, Buddha found a place under a tree for meditation and sat completely still for forty-nine days without uttering a word, and it was there that he was truly awakened. That tree, known as the Bodhi Tree, is a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists around the world who seek enlightenment. Others realized how Buddha had been enlightened and wanted to be awakened, too, so they followed him, and he taught them the truth about Bodhi.
Like Buddha, I, too, was on a pilgrimage and wanted to realize Bodhi before I died. (146-147)
“Do not play with Jesus, boy! He is more deadly than Mara and will keep you from enlightenment. Mara only has the power to trick you out of your prana, but Jesus can take it away. Mara can conquer you with darkness, but Jesus will conquer you with light. Unlike Mara, Jesus can control the life force of your jiva. I have seen the power of those who follow Jesus.
I honestly didn’t know how one god - one that I had never heard of - could disrupt the entire order of heaven and earth.
We should not even be discussing him. Talking about him gives him power. He disrupts the entire order of all that we know, because he can overpower the loka of the underworld and the gods that lead us to enlightenment. He destroys the Middle Way. Even Yama, the lord of death, leaves him alone, because Jesus would release the spirits from their bondage and turn them loose! If a spirit escapes the bondage of Yama before their time to be released, they can go in between the different realms and wreck havoc on us all.” …
Unlike the other gods, Jesus is given power through sharing about him. He is like a deadly virus - by the time you realize how deadly he is, he has already infected everyone in your home. (169-170)
Almost all of these leaders have wives and families outside of the monastery whom they sneak away and see when no one is looking. The Dalai Lama himself has several. (182)
In all the years that I had studied Buddhism, I had never heard anyone bring up the name of Jesus. (194)
Why can’t we ask honest questions about Jesus in the same way we do for the 33 million Hindu gods? Because we are not Hindus - we are Buddhists. And Jesus is not a god; he is a dangerous deceiver. (195)
In Tibetan Buddhism, although there are teachings about sins and atonements, there is no place for a Savior who is capable of atoning for the sins of the world. Atonement is built on the idea of works, not grace. Faith in Jesus as the Messiah is central to the Bible, whereas Buddhism focuses on faith in self-awareness. (207)
I was no longer a prisoner of Buddha. They were. I was being beaten for leaving Buddha, and they were beating me because they were too afraid. (223)
(NOTE: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book or a B. 3 stars means a very good book or a B+. 4 stars means an outstanding book or an A {only about 5% of the books I read merit 4 stars}. 5 stars means an all time favorite or an A+ {Only one of 400 or 500 books rates this!).
November 2, 2020
For the most part, this book has an interesting and unusual premise -- an inside look at Tibetan Buddhism through the eyes of someone who grew up within one of its monasteries and who decided to leave it behind. I enjoyed the critical analysis of Buddhism as a lived tradition, with all its flaws (some of which are concerning and significant). But it's a shame the content itself was written by a Christian missionary and not by Tenzin Lahkpa himself -- it is noted at the beginning of the book that the initial material was only a 2-page long biography (!). This way, many of the interpretations and arguments discussing and dissecting an admittedly curious religion fell short of feeling genuine. Others display a concerning amount of ignorance or are just plain wrong. Inevitably, Lahkpa turns into a (or perhaps is turned into) zealot. (Are there Christians who refuse to be missionaries or is this just part of the deal?)
June 4, 2025
Generally, I find I don't like books about spiritual journeys that are framed negatively towards a former religion. Naturally, as a Christian, I am usually reluctant to admit a book about leaving Christianity (to another religion or to atheism) as anything other than smug, self-important, narrowly focussed and judgemental. It doesn't wind me up as much when it goes the other way, because what sort of Christian would I be if I didn't feel a glimmer of happiness, perhaps even of affirmation and encouragement, when someone allows Jesus into their hearts (... or at least agrees grudgingly to accompany their wife or ailing parent to church).
But nobody likes a hypocrite. And if the words of Jesus be true, nobody really wants to be one either. So, can I strafe a decent middle ground by saying I still found this book's premise of one's abandonment of his Buddhist upbringing not to be appealing for the mere sake of itself? That I didn't want it to be a silly, petty and annoying brick lobbed over the wall: Jesus - 1, Buddha - 0.
The rejection of one's faith does always carry at least an implicit denial and denouncement of one's parents and their thankless sacrifice to raise and support you. Additionally, it seems to co-align with the narcissistic impulse we have not to take anything built upon past lives and wisdoms, but to insist that even our foundations must be built anew and exactly to our personal preference. Imagine the mess and destruction of all that is good if cities were developed like this. Sometimes building on what seems to have served for many generations past isn't a bad thing.
I am not saying I believe people should just accept the faith (or non-faith) they were raised in, without daring to question or even challenge certain aspects. And nor am I denying that there aren't many people who have had very understandable (in not necessarily correct) reasons for changing or abandoning their faith. There are many reasons why someone might decide that Christianity is an outdated "white man's" religion meant either to enchant the poor or soothe the consciences of the rich. Many reasons someone might decide God cannot be real and that religion is too restrictive, dangerous, or just a waste of time. Islam for being too conservative and combustible towards radicalism. Judaism for being too inward-focussed and exclusive (Orthodox) or else just a cultural identity, a shell of its monotheist origins.
There are plenty of reasons to say any religion is shit. But these would be based on very selective (which is not to say obscure) reasoning. There are also many reasons to say any religion is wonderful and the most important aspect of one's spiritual life - if you ask the right people.
So, in short, I approached this book a little doubtfully - aware that it might prove to be an obnoxious, bombastically Evangelical sermon to the choir of a very back-slapping and particular crowd. I once was lost, but now I'm found - we of the Christian Right are the way, the truth, and the light ... It's just not my cup of tea, nor that of many another - of any persuasion including many less ideological Christians.
But fortunately, this book really is not like that. For the most part, Lahkpa actually treats the Buddhist religion with quite a lot of respect. In fact, I would say no less than eighty percent of this memoir wasn't even remotely to do with his conversion to Christianity, but rather focussed on his life as a Buddhist monk - a lifestyle he does not sugar coat or idealise, but neither does he excoriate it. Instead, this book offered me a lens to look into Buddhism that I found more insightful and interesting than any other I have come across.
In all honesty, this one might be more of a four-star book. But then, there were just certain little details I liked which add up to push it just over the line for me.
But nobody likes a hypocrite. And if the words of Jesus be true, nobody really wants to be one either. So, can I strafe a decent middle ground by saying I still found this book's premise of one's abandonment of his Buddhist upbringing not to be appealing for the mere sake of itself? That I didn't want it to be a silly, petty and annoying brick lobbed over the wall: Jesus - 1, Buddha - 0.
The rejection of one's faith does always carry at least an implicit denial and denouncement of one's parents and their thankless sacrifice to raise and support you. Additionally, it seems to co-align with the narcissistic impulse we have not to take anything built upon past lives and wisdoms, but to insist that even our foundations must be built anew and exactly to our personal preference. Imagine the mess and destruction of all that is good if cities were developed like this. Sometimes building on what seems to have served for many generations past isn't a bad thing.
I am not saying I believe people should just accept the faith (or non-faith) they were raised in, without daring to question or even challenge certain aspects. And nor am I denying that there aren't many people who have had very understandable (in not necessarily correct) reasons for changing or abandoning their faith. There are many reasons why someone might decide that Christianity is an outdated "white man's" religion meant either to enchant the poor or soothe the consciences of the rich. Many reasons someone might decide God cannot be real and that religion is too restrictive, dangerous, or just a waste of time. Islam for being too conservative and combustible towards radicalism. Judaism for being too inward-focussed and exclusive (Orthodox) or else just a cultural identity, a shell of its monotheist origins.
There are plenty of reasons to say any religion is shit. But these would be based on very selective (which is not to say obscure) reasoning. There are also many reasons to say any religion is wonderful and the most important aspect of one's spiritual life - if you ask the right people.
So, in short, I approached this book a little doubtfully - aware that it might prove to be an obnoxious, bombastically Evangelical sermon to the choir of a very back-slapping and particular crowd. I once was lost, but now I'm found - we of the Christian Right are the way, the truth, and the light ... It's just not my cup of tea, nor that of many another - of any persuasion including many less ideological Christians.
But fortunately, this book really is not like that. For the most part, Lahkpa actually treats the Buddhist religion with quite a lot of respect. In fact, I would say no less than eighty percent of this memoir wasn't even remotely to do with his conversion to Christianity, but rather focussed on his life as a Buddhist monk - a lifestyle he does not sugar coat or idealise, but neither does he excoriate it. Instead, this book offered me a lens to look into Buddhism that I found more insightful and interesting than any other I have come across.
In all honesty, this one might be more of a four-star book. But then, there were just certain little details I liked which add up to push it just over the line for me.
March 25, 2020
So much of this book is heartbreaking, but it is also so hopeful.
The majority, three-quarters, of the book follows Tenzin from birth through his life as a Tibetan monk. He shows us a life of constant drudgery, poverty, and fear was his as a subsistence farmer in Tibet. Then he walks us through his hopeless spiritual journey as a monk in training and later as a teacher. This is a long section because, intertwined with his story, is a detailed explanation of Tibetan Buddhism. It could be overwhelmingly dark, but throughout he gives us little hopeful glimpses of the joy that will come.
Every story of God’s drawing a heart to an understanding and acceptance of the Gospel is beautiful and amazing. Some though, have unique twists that highlight God’s wonderful ways of dealing with each of us individually. That is where this story becomes so hopeful. He introduces us to the people and explains the many things that God used to get his attention. Then everything got worse…
I’m not going to tell you anymore because I want you to be as surprised by the ending as I was. I’ll just recommend you go read it.
Unfortunately, it’s a little bit choppy at points or it would be a five-star book.
The majority, three-quarters, of the book follows Tenzin from birth through his life as a Tibetan monk. He shows us a life of constant drudgery, poverty, and fear was his as a subsistence farmer in Tibet. Then he walks us through his hopeless spiritual journey as a monk in training and later as a teacher. This is a long section because, intertwined with his story, is a detailed explanation of Tibetan Buddhism. It could be overwhelmingly dark, but throughout he gives us little hopeful glimpses of the joy that will come.
Every story of God’s drawing a heart to an understanding and acceptance of the Gospel is beautiful and amazing. Some though, have unique twists that highlight God’s wonderful ways of dealing with each of us individually. That is where this story becomes so hopeful. He introduces us to the people and explains the many things that God used to get his attention. Then everything got worse…
I’m not going to tell you anymore because I want you to be as surprised by the ending as I was. I’ll just recommend you go read it.
Unfortunately, it’s a little bit choppy at points or it would be a five-star book.
July 4, 2024
3.5
The story is amazing but I do wish that the book was written directly by the Tibetan monk himself instead of mediated by another author
The story is amazing but I do wish that the book was written directly by the Tibetan monk himself instead of mediated by another author
June 19, 2022
This is one of the most amazing books I have ever read! It's always amazing to read about people's lives, but seeing someone who seeks the truth truly, who is ready to accept the truth in whatever shape is even more amazing! Tenzin sought the way to Illumination and found it, but it was different from what he was thought. However he accepted it and also helped others find it.
December 3, 2022
This is a powerful testimony of Tenzin's long journey in search of the truth. He exposes some of the demonic activity in both Hinduism and Buddhism. His story unveils dark secrets within the monastery. Overall an encouraging read.
June 27, 2025
3.5 stars [Memoir]
(W 3.47, U 3.82, T 3.87)
Exact rating: 3.72
#12 of 58 in genre
Might be mentioned in the same sentence as Nabeel Qureshi's Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, but for Buddhism. A great introduction to Tibetan Buddhism for the beginner, it also reveals Buddhism's true face, without the metaphorical greasepaint. Worth the read!
(W 3.47, U 3.82, T 3.87)
Exact rating: 3.72
#12 of 58 in genre
Might be mentioned in the same sentence as Nabeel Qureshi's Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, but for Buddhism. A great introduction to Tibetan Buddhism for the beginner, it also reveals Buddhism's true face, without the metaphorical greasepaint. Worth the read!
March 23, 2025
Tenzin's journey from Buddhism to Christianity was very interesting. I found this book especially interesting as I haven't read any books about Buddhism before. It was fascinating to learn a bit about Buddhism in Tibet and how Buddhists there view Christianity.
Read
October 14, 2024I appreciated the rather simple summary: Buddha sought to find a way to help us escape pain by seeking *knowledge*; Christ’s way of helping us escape pain was through *love* - sacrificing Himself that we may live a joy-filled life for eternity.
August 7, 2022
In many ways I learned some things about tibetan culture. It ended abruptly and I found some of the reactions a little hard to believe.
Read
August 31, 2022O carte-ghid a budismului tibetan și a Chinei aflată sub ocupația lui Mao Zedong ce prezintă povestea lui Tenzin, un călugăr tibetan cu o minte ageră, spirit critic și o dorință nestăvilită după adevărul absolut. Pe parcursul poveștii, descoperim aspecte despre lumea în care trăia(tradiții, cultură, societate, istorie etc.),dar și cum l-a întâlnit acesta pe Cristos și cât de persecutat e creștinismul în China. De asemenea, citind această carte mi-am dat seama cât de puține știu despre budism și cât de puțin ni se spune despre el. Vă invit să aflați de la cineva care a crescut în una din cele mai aspre forme ale budismului că acesta înseamnă mai mult decât karma și chacre.
August 14, 2024
I give this book 5++. I admire people who never give up searching for truth, no matter what the cost. As a Buddhist monk, Tenzin was looking for enlightenment for years. He went through so much suffering. At last he found great happiness in Jesus as his source of all enlightenment. He was able to serve those who treated him so poorly. He and his wife formed a ministry to get medical help to those who needed it.
August 23, 2021
Gripping & moving story – written around the simplistic premise that (Tibetan) Buddhism doesn't work, while Christianity does
Bach did a great job of putting Tenzin’s dramatic story into words: you learn a lot about the daily struggles of rural Tibetans. A well-written, real page-turner of a book!
However, the plot is based on the simplistic & over-generalized premise that Buddhism is ineffective, it has never been able to alleviate the sufferings of Tenzin, the protagonist, his family, and Tibetans in general, and that Jesus is the only way to peace and happiness.
Tibetan Buddhists (especially monks) are depicted as murderous fundamentalists ready to beat you to a pulp (literally) if you reject your roots in favor of Jesus. There are no shades of grey, you never get to meet wise, compassionate & open-minded Buddhists in the book (except the Dalai Lama perhaps).
While I sympathize with Tenzin for his numerous sufferings and hardships, and while I understand why he was open to a new faith, the book’s conclusion (that you have to turn your back on your ancestral traditions in order to be able to practice another religion) doesn’t appeal to me.
I personally much prefer the inclusive attitude of inter-religious tolerance and openness exhibited by one of my favorite authors, the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, who, after meeting some Christians living in the true spirit of Christ, came to respect Jesus as one of his spiritual ancestors, and frequently uses Gospel stories to make his point. Reading his books, you never get the feeling that he considers Buddhism to be the only path to liberation, or that it might be superior to Christianity in any way – just a different path to the same ‘peak’.
I wish Christian authors like Bach could approach other religions with the same ‘loving embrace’, rather than the zeal to point out others are wrong and they’d better convert to Christianity if they know what’s good for them.
Bach did a great job of putting Tenzin’s dramatic story into words: you learn a lot about the daily struggles of rural Tibetans. A well-written, real page-turner of a book!
However, the plot is based on the simplistic & over-generalized premise that Buddhism is ineffective, it has never been able to alleviate the sufferings of Tenzin, the protagonist, his family, and Tibetans in general, and that Jesus is the only way to peace and happiness.
Tibetan Buddhists (especially monks) are depicted as murderous fundamentalists ready to beat you to a pulp (literally) if you reject your roots in favor of Jesus. There are no shades of grey, you never get to meet wise, compassionate & open-minded Buddhists in the book (except the Dalai Lama perhaps).
While I sympathize with Tenzin for his numerous sufferings and hardships, and while I understand why he was open to a new faith, the book’s conclusion (that you have to turn your back on your ancestral traditions in order to be able to practice another religion) doesn’t appeal to me.
I personally much prefer the inclusive attitude of inter-religious tolerance and openness exhibited by one of my favorite authors, the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, who, after meeting some Christians living in the true spirit of Christ, came to respect Jesus as one of his spiritual ancestors, and frequently uses Gospel stories to make his point. Reading his books, you never get the feeling that he considers Buddhism to be the only path to liberation, or that it might be superior to Christianity in any way – just a different path to the same ‘peak’.
I wish Christian authors like Bach could approach other religions with the same ‘loving embrace’, rather than the zeal to point out others are wrong and they’d better convert to Christianity if they know what’s good for them.
December 29, 2021
Exciting and Informative
This book was well written. It gave a wonderful narrative of the life of a Tibetanmonk while at the same time divulging much information about Buddhism. I sometimes get bored reading non fiction books, therefore a narration of someone's life which includes information keeps me interested. The whole time I'm reading, I'm anticipating the moment when Jesus comes and saves the day. When he turns this monk's daunting, fear-based religion on its head and gives him true enlightenment through grace. If you love testimonies of people coming to Christ, you will love this book. I could hardly put it down.
This book was well written. It gave a wonderful narrative of the life of a Tibetanmonk while at the same time divulging much information about Buddhism. I sometimes get bored reading non fiction books, therefore a narration of someone's life which includes information keeps me interested. The whole time I'm reading, I'm anticipating the moment when Jesus comes and saves the day. When he turns this monk's daunting, fear-based religion on its head and gives him true enlightenment through grace. If you love testimonies of people coming to Christ, you will love this book. I could hardly put it down.
September 11, 2021
Learn from a Christian Monk
One of the best books I had read which is so inspiring. I recommend that every Christian and even non-believers exert efforts to learn from Tenzin the difference between true believer and a former Monk why we are so blessed to have Jesus in our lives. I give God the glory that this former Monk now finds the enlightenment he seeks so dearly as well as the Truth which only Jesus through His love can provide.
One of the best books I had read which is so inspiring. I recommend that every Christian and even non-believers exert efforts to learn from Tenzin the difference between true believer and a former Monk why we are so blessed to have Jesus in our lives. I give God the glory that this former Monk now finds the enlightenment he seeks so dearly as well as the Truth which only Jesus through His love can provide.
November 2, 2020
Tibet remains a mysterious country/culture for Westerners since real news and contact with Tibetans remains sparse. Any video clips of the Dalai Lama seems like diluted platitudes compared to the realities of Buddhism as described in the biography. A simplistic read, but revelatory and informative. Also provides fodder for those who pray and support the Persecuted Church.
January 7, 2022
fascinating view into a closed world
The pace of this book is hard to get into, but the information is fascinating and worth reading. I was truly surprised to read about the level of violence in and around Buddhism.
The pace of this book is hard to get into, but the information is fascinating and worth reading. I was truly surprised to read about the level of violence in and around Buddhism.
February 26, 2022
An amazing true story of a Tibetan Buddhist monk’s journey to find enlightenment and ultimately finding Jesus as His true source of joy and truth.
An informative look into Buddhism and the darkness that shrouds the history and current belief systems.
An informative look into Buddhism and the darkness that shrouds the history and current belief systems.
February 20, 2023
I couldn’t put this down. It was an excellent book. I learned a lot about Buddhism. Changing faiths isn’t always easy. And he really suffered. But look at God! He really risked a lot. I highly recommend this book.
April 28, 2023
This book was incredible. I know very little about Buddhism or Tibet. It was so well written and insightful oh Tibetan Buddhism. This man's testimony is incredible! After reading this book I feel much more equipped and filled with a desire to pray for this region of the world!
December 26, 2023
wow!! couldn’t put this book down.
Wow! I couldn’t put this book down! I was immersed in Tenzin’s life story, his miraculous conversion and learned so much about the culture. Praise God for the transforming power of Christ!
Wow! I couldn’t put this book down! I was immersed in Tenzin’s life story, his miraculous conversion and learned so much about the culture. Praise God for the transforming power of Christ!
September 21, 2021
Wow, this was so good! It gave me a much better understanding of Buddhism, Tibet and the conflict between Tibet and China along with the power of Jesus . Just wow!
January 1, 2022
A testimony that leaves me thankful that his God is my God-
that the God who miraculously saved and strengthen him is the God that saved and strengthens me.
that the God who miraculously saved and strengthen him is the God that saved and strengthens me.
January 12, 2022
loved this book!!! super cool to read the story of this mans journey in seeking truth!! 10/10 would recommend!
April 25, 2023
The author does a really good job explaining the nuances of Tibetan Buddhism. I am thankful that people continue to tell stories- this was an encouragement to me!
May 27, 2023
Amazing stories from Tibet
I was very touched by the stories. It reveals a lot of darkness in Tibet and China yet it being about the incorruptible faith that I never seen.
I was very touched by the stories. It reveals a lot of darkness in Tibet and China yet it being about the incorruptible faith that I never seen.
June 29, 2023
I knew very little about Buddhism and what I did know is pretty inaccurate. Good read.
September 20, 2023
Slutade aldrig vara intressant och ett starkt, uppmuntrande vittnesbörd på det. Bra bok!
April 3, 2024
Fascinating story. A really good way to learn a lot about Buddhism in an engaging manner.
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