49 Buddhas: Lama Rinzen in the Hell Realm

by Jim Ringel

Lama Rinzen awakens from meditation to find himself reincarnated as a detective on Denver’s Colfax Avenue. Immediately he realizes that once again he has been reborn into the Hell Realm—this time charged with finding insurance man Sonny Heller’s killer. Rinzen believes finding Heller’s killer will lead to the Sacred Dorje, which has eluded the lama for many lifetimes.

By finding the Dorje, he will become a bodhisattva, allowing him to lead all sentient beings to Nirvana. But should the Dorje escape his grasp, Rinzen will be forced to suffer yet another lifetime in Hell, haunted by past demons and his failure to achieve enlightenment.

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 29, 2018

About the author

Jim Ringel writes the Lama Rinzen mysteries—a series of crime mysteries wrapped inside Buddhist mysteries.

Jim practices Zen, skis, hikes, bikes, and visits brew pubs throughout Colorado seeking out the Buddha in everyday life.

For more information please visit www.jimringel.com

Reviews

[B.J. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't need to know much at all about Buddhism or Denver to enjoy this fascinating tale of the lama who was reborn as a detective on a quest to bring us all enlightenment. A fun read for this crime fiction fan.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Path meets noir

A mixture of Tibetan Buddhism, mystery, and a healthy dose of social commentary. Set in a Colorado winter. As a practicing Buddhist, I found the story and social commentary interesting but the mystery felt unfinished.

[J.D. Schechter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uninspired

A Buddhist lama approaches a hot dog vendor and says 'make me one with everything' to the sound of one hand clapping

[Cindy Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Underwhelming

I really wanted to like this book but it's wandering storyline didn't do it for me. It was scattered and hard to follow