The Future Is Now: Timely Advice for Creating a Better World

by Ogyen Trinley Dorje 17th Gyalw

With more than a million followers worldwide and at least 50,000 in the United States, the 17th Karmapa is one of Tibetan Buddhism’s most senior lamas. His dramatic escape from Tibet and his spiritual presence have made him an instant celebrity, and Elle magazine recently named him one of its "25 people to watch."

The Future is Now , which pairs contemporary photography with 108 sayings on how to live more compassionately and consciously, is the Karmapa’s first mainstream work. In it, he offers advice on such universal and personal themes as social values, the environment, freedom, responsibility, loneliness, and contentment. Fresh, bold, timely photos and straightforward text make the ancient teachings of Buddhism accessible to everyone.

Earlier this year, the Karmapa made his first trip to the West speaking to large crowds in New York, Boulder, and Seattle. It’s been reported that the venues sold out based almost solely on the strength of e-mail chains. His visit generated an enormous amount of publicity including two New York Times items, a piece in Time magazine, an interview on the PBS program "Religion & Ethics News Weekly," and coverage in major Buddhist magazines.

Genres: Buddhism

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2009

Reviews

[Cornerofmadness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much to say here. This is a collection of Buddhist thoughts, little digestible snippets for us. His Holiness is still just a kid and while this had accolades out the wazoo, I thought it needed a bit more depth. It wasn’t quite what the book club said it was and I think that set me up for a bit of a disappointment. (thankfully it was free with my other books). Not that it’s bad. He makes sense but the language is clumsy (granted it’s being translated). Each thought has a full two page picture to go with it. Really, the pictures say as much as the words and they are usually very thought provoking. There is an interesting mini-bio of the Karmapa at the end. If you like Buddhist ideals or a self help junkie, you’d probably enjoy this quick read. However, if you’re not getting a club deal on this, it’s not really worth the cover price unless you like art books.

[Maria Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ema Ho!

How Wonderful 💖, highly recommended, and appreciated, in fact the future is now.
My deepest gratitude 🙏 Long and Healthy life to HH Karmapa.

[Rubina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Karmapas are Tibet's great wisdom teachers. H.H the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, was only 8th when he was identified and enthroned as a Karmapa. In 1999, when he was 14, he made the decision to escape fm Tibet to India as the Chinese was controlling his travels, as a result of which he could not go to India or elsewhere to receive training fm his teachers.
The Future is Now is a simple and beautiful book with 108 sayings? It is ideal for young people as he translate Buuddhist teachings in the way the young can understand.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A positive and beautiful photobook, full of insight relevant to everyone trying to live a better life. The small amount of text makes this a very accessible read and something that could be picked up throughout the day to re-energise resolve.
Thank you to my friend here on Goodreads, Jessica, for the recommendation.

[Jayme · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book consists of sayings from Ogyen Trinley Dorje, along with some pretty mundane stock photography. It's a cute book, fun to look through, but nothing profound.