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Re-enchantment: Tibetan Buddhism Comes to the West
The colorful tale of the successful flowering of an obscure, ancient Eastern sect in the modern world. In a single generation, Tibetan Buddhism developed from the faith of a remote mountain people, associated with bizarre, almost medieval, superstitions, to perhaps the most rapidly growing and celebrity-studded religion in the West. Disaffected with other religious traditions yet searching for meaning, huge numbers of Americans have found their way to the wisdom of Tibetan lamas in exile. Earthy, humorous, commonsensical, and eccentric, these flamboyant teachers―larger-than-life characters like Lama Yeshe and Chogyma Trungpa―proved to be charismatic and gifted ambassadors for their ancient religion. So did two Western women, born in Brooklyn and London's East End, whose homegrown religious intuitions turned out to be identical with the most sophisticated Tibetan teachings, revealing them to be reincarnated lamas. With great flair for both the sublime and the human, Jeffrey Paine narrates in page-turning, richly informative fashion how Tibetan Buddhism―rarefied and sensual, mystical and commonsensical―became the ideal religion for a "post-religious" age. "By far the best of the recent popular books exploring the amazing impact of Tibetan Buddhism. Paine's witty, erudite, flowing prose creates a memorable album of many characters―saints, rascals, and ordinary folks. He glosses over nothing, is ruthlessly critical where it is deserved, but is also secure enough to appreciate the beauty and the power of the 'magic and mystery': the profound practical wisdom and compassion of Tibetan civilization gone global."―Robert Thurman, Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies, Columbia University "Riveting....Recounts elegantly, yet without fuss, stories of human transformation that consistently incite our capacity for wonder."―Askold Melnyczuk, Boston Globe "Memorable anecdotes, great storytelling and keen observations mark this cogent exploration of the explosive growth of Tibetan Buddhism in the West."― Publishers Weekly , starred review
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First published February 9, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 19, 2023
འགུར་ལྡོག་ (gyur-tog) / change
A wonderful read that perfectly encapsulates the beginnings of the west's eventual love affair with Tibetan Buddhism. Jeffery Paine illuminates some absolutely fascinating figures in this book so effectively, that I found myself migrating away from its pages, and onto YouTube multiple times, just to see if said figures had been captured by camera.
My favourite has to be the story of London born Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, who ended up, eventually, meditating for 14 years alone in a mountain cave. It made for an absolutely astonishing read.
This is most certainly the sort of read that eschews dry academic scholarship, and instead dives into explaining on an emotional level, what a rare happenstance it was that this very particular sect of Buddhism managed to blossom into such a western phenomenon. I myself can't deny its pull, given I attended a Tibetan Buddhist temple in Brisbane Australia for some time when first moving here last year October 2022, and have partaken in a weekend retreat in the first Buddhist temple (also Tibetan) in Australia on the Sunshine Coast; Chenrezig Institute. In fact my copy of this book came from the Library under the Vihara there.
A wonderful read that perfectly encapsulates the beginnings of the west's eventual love affair with Tibetan Buddhism. Jeffery Paine illuminates some absolutely fascinating figures in this book so effectively, that I found myself migrating away from its pages, and onto YouTube multiple times, just to see if said figures had been captured by camera.
My favourite has to be the story of London born Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, who ended up, eventually, meditating for 14 years alone in a mountain cave. It made for an absolutely astonishing read.
This is most certainly the sort of read that eschews dry academic scholarship, and instead dives into explaining on an emotional level, what a rare happenstance it was that this very particular sect of Buddhism managed to blossom into such a western phenomenon. I myself can't deny its pull, given I attended a Tibetan Buddhist temple in Brisbane Australia for some time when first moving here last year October 2022, and have partaken in a weekend retreat in the first Buddhist temple (also Tibetan) in Australia on the Sunshine Coast; Chenrezig Institute. In fact my copy of this book came from the Library under the Vihara there.
June 10, 2025
Great history read on the import of Tibetan Buddhism to the west. There’s clearly been many great Lamas and other spiritual leaders who spread their religion with their own style and philosophy.
As a catholic, I’ve often had to reconcile how my religion had been forced upon my ancestors to justify the superiority of the colonizers. Part of my believed that that’s always how religion spread - a conquest of others. But what Paine makes clear is that there exists a spiritual hunger in many people, and Buddhism in the 20th century presented a world of possibilities for the entire religious spectrum, even the atheists. My favorite quote in here comes from Lama Yeshe, where he indicates that Buddhism doesn’t have to be considered a religion, but a study of the mind.
I think that statement resonates with me because in many of the techniques of spiritual leaders shared, I was reminded back to my time in therapy. Ideas such as observing your own emotions, centering yourself around your breath, letting go of your preconceived notions, thoughts forming your reality, are ideas I’ve cherished for a while, and I didn’t know that they were rooted in this religion.
My one criticism of this book is the presentation of Trungpa, a spiritual leader. His dedicated chapter will initially have you believe that this guy’s an eccentric but effective teacher. I was following along and was very interested in his story, only to find towards the end of the chapter that this man was an abuser. I understand introducing nuance to people and the entirety of the movement, but in a lot of ways, abuser is the defining word of Trungpa’s legacy, and he should be remembered as such.
As a catholic, I’ve often had to reconcile how my religion had been forced upon my ancestors to justify the superiority of the colonizers. Part of my believed that that’s always how religion spread - a conquest of others. But what Paine makes clear is that there exists a spiritual hunger in many people, and Buddhism in the 20th century presented a world of possibilities for the entire religious spectrum, even the atheists. My favorite quote in here comes from Lama Yeshe, where he indicates that Buddhism doesn’t have to be considered a religion, but a study of the mind.
I think that statement resonates with me because in many of the techniques of spiritual leaders shared, I was reminded back to my time in therapy. Ideas such as observing your own emotions, centering yourself around your breath, letting go of your preconceived notions, thoughts forming your reality, are ideas I’ve cherished for a while, and I didn’t know that they were rooted in this religion.
My one criticism of this book is the presentation of Trungpa, a spiritual leader. His dedicated chapter will initially have you believe that this guy’s an eccentric but effective teacher. I was following along and was very interested in his story, only to find towards the end of the chapter that this man was an abuser. I understand introducing nuance to people and the entirety of the movement, but in a lot of ways, abuser is the defining word of Trungpa’s legacy, and he should be remembered as such.
November 6, 2016
Author Jeffery Paine writes a highly informative and entertaining account of the introduction, impact and proliferation of Tibetan Budhhism onto the Western Psyche. In an easy-to-read style, Paine outlines the vision Tibet represented in the West, pre and post Chinese invasion, circa 1959 - 2010. Special attention is afforded to the role Tibetan magic and mystery played in stirring the fascination of western adventurers of the psyche. The book does an admiral job of profiling spiritual leaders, such as Lama Yeshe, Chogyam Trungpa and Dalai Lama. to best illustrate how and why Tibetan Buddhism captured the imagination of Westerners searching for spiritual meaning and direction in times of upheaval from their own cultural values.
April 16, 2026
Tibetan Buddhism And Spiritual Regeneration
At the beginning of "Re-Enchantment", (2004) a study of Tibetan Buddhism and the West, Jeffery Paine describes Thomas Merton's journey to Dharamsala, the home of the Tibetan government in exile, in 1968. Paine describes how Merton's initial skepticism towards the Tibetan form of Buddhism quickly vanished and how Merton came to think that this then-obscure sect of Buddhism might "spiritually reanimate" (p.8) the West.
Following his exploration of Tibetan Buddhism's reception in the West, Paine discusses (pp. 257-259) three factors that he believes have influenced many people in the West in their search for spiritual renewal: 1. universality and nonpartisanship, by which Paine means that this esoteric Buddhist sect has been transformed in the West to a religion accessible to people of all backgrounds, races, and creeds; 2. individual responsibility, by which Paine means the emphasis given in all schools of Buddhism to individuals working towards their own enlightenment; and 3.heightened capabilities, or the hope Tibetan Buddhism holds out of deepening one's understanding of oneself and reaching new spiritual depths. Paine concludes that "even if Tibetan Buddhism disappeared tomorrow, it would have meanwhile enriched numerous lives and renewed appreciation for what spirituality is." (p. 260)
This is an inspiring vision indeed, and there is much in Paine's study and to teach. Paine introduces the reader to a mixed group of seekers who helped bring Tibetan Buddhism to westerners searching for a revitalized form of spirituality. The prominent characters include Alexandra David-Neel, a woman who made a hazardous journey to Lhasa in the 1920s, while in her mid-50s, overcame her own skepticism, and helped spread early knowledge of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism, Diane Perry, an English woman raised in the slums who became a Tibetan Buddhist nun named Tenzin Palmo and spent 12 years meditating in a cave in Tibet, Lama Thubten Yeshe, one of the first Tibetan lamas to attempt to teach Westerners, the American Harold Talbot, one of the first Americans to study in Tibet and the founder of a publishing house, and, of course primarily, the Dalai Lama himself. The book also discusses other important figures with a mixed influence including Chogyam Trungpa, a former Tibetan monk who became highly influential in the United States but whose life and particularly that of his successor was tainted by sexual, alcoholic, and financial scandal, and Catherine Burroughs, the founder of a large Tibetan center outside Washington, D.C. who has been described in Martha Sherrill's highly critical book, "The Buddha from Brooklyn" (2000)
There is much to be learned from this account, and Paine does not hesitate to point out the scandals that have plagued Tibetan Buddhism in the West, or its adoption by a host of Hollywood and media types. But he also points out that there is something fresh and alive in the movement and that, transplanted and Westernized, Tibetan Buddhism, has brought awakened many people of differing backgrounds -- including secularists -- to possibilities of spiritual growth within themselves.
Paine's book lacks the detail and breadth of a scholarly study. His decision not to include at least a basic bibliography was unfortunate. More importantly, the book does not give much of an account of the teachings of Buddhism and of the specific teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. Such an account, of course, is essential to understanding how this form of Buddhism has itself been transformed by its contact with the West. There is also some tendency, common to many writers on this subject, towards idealization of Tibetan Buddhism -- a too quick attempt to project some of the needs and values of Western secularism onto a religious teaching from a much different source.
Paine's study, I think, is too quick and too heady, but still valuable. I recommend that those readers wanting a more scholarly and sober account of the doctrinal bases of Tibetan Buddhism, as transferred to the West, see the many books of Professor David Lopez. His "Prisoners of Shangri-La" is a good place to start.
Robin Friedman
At the beginning of "Re-Enchantment", (2004) a study of Tibetan Buddhism and the West, Jeffery Paine describes Thomas Merton's journey to Dharamsala, the home of the Tibetan government in exile, in 1968. Paine describes how Merton's initial skepticism towards the Tibetan form of Buddhism quickly vanished and how Merton came to think that this then-obscure sect of Buddhism might "spiritually reanimate" (p.8) the West.
Following his exploration of Tibetan Buddhism's reception in the West, Paine discusses (pp. 257-259) three factors that he believes have influenced many people in the West in their search for spiritual renewal: 1. universality and nonpartisanship, by which Paine means that this esoteric Buddhist sect has been transformed in the West to a religion accessible to people of all backgrounds, races, and creeds; 2. individual responsibility, by which Paine means the emphasis given in all schools of Buddhism to individuals working towards their own enlightenment; and 3.heightened capabilities, or the hope Tibetan Buddhism holds out of deepening one's understanding of oneself and reaching new spiritual depths. Paine concludes that "even if Tibetan Buddhism disappeared tomorrow, it would have meanwhile enriched numerous lives and renewed appreciation for what spirituality is." (p. 260)
This is an inspiring vision indeed, and there is much in Paine's study and to teach. Paine introduces the reader to a mixed group of seekers who helped bring Tibetan Buddhism to westerners searching for a revitalized form of spirituality. The prominent characters include Alexandra David-Neel, a woman who made a hazardous journey to Lhasa in the 1920s, while in her mid-50s, overcame her own skepticism, and helped spread early knowledge of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism, Diane Perry, an English woman raised in the slums who became a Tibetan Buddhist nun named Tenzin Palmo and spent 12 years meditating in a cave in Tibet, Lama Thubten Yeshe, one of the first Tibetan lamas to attempt to teach Westerners, the American Harold Talbot, one of the first Americans to study in Tibet and the founder of a publishing house, and, of course primarily, the Dalai Lama himself. The book also discusses other important figures with a mixed influence including Chogyam Trungpa, a former Tibetan monk who became highly influential in the United States but whose life and particularly that of his successor was tainted by sexual, alcoholic, and financial scandal, and Catherine Burroughs, the founder of a large Tibetan center outside Washington, D.C. who has been described in Martha Sherrill's highly critical book, "The Buddha from Brooklyn" (2000)
There is much to be learned from this account, and Paine does not hesitate to point out the scandals that have plagued Tibetan Buddhism in the West, or its adoption by a host of Hollywood and media types. But he also points out that there is something fresh and alive in the movement and that, transplanted and Westernized, Tibetan Buddhism, has brought awakened many people of differing backgrounds -- including secularists -- to possibilities of spiritual growth within themselves.
Paine's book lacks the detail and breadth of a scholarly study. His decision not to include at least a basic bibliography was unfortunate. More importantly, the book does not give much of an account of the teachings of Buddhism and of the specific teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. Such an account, of course, is essential to understanding how this form of Buddhism has itself been transformed by its contact with the West. There is also some tendency, common to many writers on this subject, towards idealization of Tibetan Buddhism -- a too quick attempt to project some of the needs and values of Western secularism onto a religious teaching from a much different source.
Paine's study, I think, is too quick and too heady, but still valuable. I recommend that those readers wanting a more scholarly and sober account of the doctrinal bases of Tibetan Buddhism, as transferred to the West, see the many books of Professor David Lopez. His "Prisoners of Shangri-La" is a good place to start.
Robin Friedman
July 30, 2018
Can I give this more than 5 stars? Couldn't put it down.
February 9, 2008
A fascinating look at a process that began as long ago as the dawn of the 20th Century. Beginning with the interpid explorers of the early days which, by the way, included women acouple of whom had some of the greatest success in infiltrating Tibetan culture, even learning the notoriously difficult Tibetan language in an astonishingly short time - almost unheard of in that era. The book takes us from those beginnings through the tragedy of the Chinese occupation and the subsequent meeting of the refugees and those members of the long-haired Flower Power generation who were searching for something more than just another high; it also moves into the modern era of Dali Lama and Richard Gere photo ops in a seamless, informative and insightful manner which makes a pretty complex subject a pleasure to explore; conversely sometimes so much detail can make your temples throb a bit! Overall, definitely worth a look!
December 31, 2012
Consistently engaging throughout! Learned alot more in depth about some familiar names and some not as familiar.
Most of the book is NOT about the Dalai Lama which was refreshing in studies of Tibetan Buddhism in the West, but this quote stuck out to me regardless of that fact. "The Dalai Lama insists that he is a simple Buddhist monk and his insistence goes beyond words. With his constant travel his home is practically on airplanes, but unlike financiers and politicians with their private planes, he flies commercial airlines and refuses to fly first class. In 1963 when Tibetans in exile drafted their first constitution, the Dalai Lama insisted, against everyone's protests, on inserting a clause that he could be impeached. American presidents and other elected servants of the world's democracies now expect to be treated like royalty, while the monarch of a divine theocracy illustrates how a democratic leader might actually behave.
Most of the book is NOT about the Dalai Lama which was refreshing in studies of Tibetan Buddhism in the West, but this quote stuck out to me regardless of that fact. "The Dalai Lama insists that he is a simple Buddhist monk and his insistence goes beyond words. With his constant travel his home is practically on airplanes, but unlike financiers and politicians with their private planes, he flies commercial airlines and refuses to fly first class. In 1963 when Tibetans in exile drafted their first constitution, the Dalai Lama insisted, against everyone's protests, on inserting a clause that he could be impeached. American presidents and other elected servants of the world's democracies now expect to be treated like royalty, while the monarch of a divine theocracy illustrates how a democratic leader might actually behave.
July 21, 2016
One of THE best books I’ve read this year. Hands down. Not only is the subject matter great, but he focuses not on the religious aspect of Tibetan Buddhism, but the people as well, crafting amazing tales around some figures that are worth reading into, like Tenzin Palmo, the Dalai Lama, Chogyam Trungpa, and Alexandra David-Neel.
His attitude for a traditional bibliography is great, too. He says it would be longer than the book itself, and really, he quoted a lot of books within the work itself, so if the common reader is interested in it, they should be taking note anyways!
I enjoyed his book. It was wonderfully written and funny and touching and I can’t say enough about this little unknown book I found in the library, having never been checked out.
His attitude for a traditional bibliography is great, too. He says it would be longer than the book itself, and really, he quoted a lot of books within the work itself, so if the common reader is interested in it, they should be taking note anyways!
I enjoyed his book. It was wonderfully written and funny and touching and I can’t say enough about this little unknown book I found in the library, having never been checked out.
January 13, 2014
This book is a set of brief accounts of Western adventurers and seekers exploring Tibet and its mystical Buddhist tradition, and of the 1959 dispersion of Tibetan Buddhism that arose from Chinese suppression. I really enjoyed reading about these people, particularly 19th century Frenchwoman Alexandra David-Neel, who seems just too interesting to be real, and Chogyam Trungpa, who could have been the Rat Pack Lama had he been introduced to Frank Sinatra. One Jeopardy fact to take from this book is that Uma Thurman is the daughter of Robert Thurman, a significant figure in the transmission of Tibetan Buddhism to the West.
March 31, 2015
I really enjoyed this book! It's a delightfully insightful account of Tibetan Buddhism coming to the west. Actually, it begins with the west going to Tibet in the form of some early pioneers. I especially enjoyed that the author didn't shy away from some controversial figures in western Tibetan Buddhism, but also didn't address them less than charitably. I found the book full of insight, information, anecdotes, and compassion. This is one of the most human books I have read about Tibetan Buddhism. Highly recommended!
August 1, 2015
Quietly, humorously edifying - the book moves across time and space at a confident clip, in part to show how time will have its way with intransigence, in part to show how a practice - particular to a time and place - still teaches those who have stumbled upon or inherited its capacity to re-enchant.
November 29, 2008
Wonderful gossipy account of the spread of Tibetan Buddhism after the Chinese holocaust. Stories about the Dalai Lama, Richard Gere, and a fascinating hero named Alexandra David-Neel who I now want to read more about. Reads like a novel.
April 11, 2014
A history of how Tibetan Buddhism came to the West (mostly the U.S.) told via the lives of particular teachers, some Tibetan, some American. The interesting lives of these people really move the story along. Very engaging. I finished it in 8 days (unusual for me).
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July 20, 2008fabulous writing.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews