TOUCHING TIBET - NIEMA ASH

RATING:A

This is a book about traveling through Tibet, but so much more. It clearly depicts the difference between the kindly, cheerful Tibetan people and the stiff n starchy Chinese. It offers insight into the Tibetan customs and attitudes.

The piece where it refers to Western V Tibetan attitude to dead bodies is very interesting - as I share the Tibetan view. Sky burials make so much more sense than cremation or burial to me. Tibetan Buddhism = sanity in an insane world.

Maybe I am more Tibetan than Western - the 'bedtime rituals' on page 170 are nothing like mine for example and I value spiritual wealth far more than material.

I would recommend this book to those interested in reading about Tibet a few decades ago, the Tibetan people & culture, the Tibetan problems with China, and those interested in travel within Himalayan countries.

A CASCADING WATERFALL OF NECTAR - THINLEY NORBU

RATING:B

I found the first chapter difficult, the second enthralling. The Vimalamitra quote of page 57 was helpful. The quote on page 134 dividing phenomena between alaya and dharmakaya was also useful. I was interested to read of the drunk who liked to hear dharma.

Several other pieces stood out, although the overall benefit of the book for me was to draw me into deeper places that understood the meaning of these words - from my surface mind that did not. Digging deeper down, I could follow and understand the text - but if I used my superficial mind, I just found it a 'boring plod thru words'. That is the major benefit of difficult texts for me, to draw the understanding out from within - it is in there, but not always reached and seen. Reading complicated dharma books enables me to reach the places one needs to go and reactivate long lost understanding.

The book was them last one suggested to me by my late teacher, who passed away recently, but not read instantly due to having difficulty in finding time to indulge in reading rather than 'letting words go in and out of my head'. I would pass on the recommendation to those wishing to drag themselves forward into understanding from where they currently are - you need to get deep inside to comprehend this and it is very good for bringing back what you may have learned in a former life.

JAKE FADES - DAVID GUY

RATING:C+

I do not generally read fiction, but this being Buddhist fiction I gave it a shot. One part stood out strongly to my mind - where it mentioned finding the person they 'WANTED' to be - this seems a very good starting point for friendship and conversation that is often overlooked.

I do not have much experience with Zen Buddhism, but I found the turn of pace in the final two chapters that tied up all the loose ends memorable. I would recommend the book to those with a partial interest in fiction &/or Buddhism, rather than a serious Buddhist student.

THAT BIRD HAS MY WINGS - JARVIS JAY MASTERS

RATING: B

The interesting autobiography of a man growing up from a troubled childhood through a horrendous youth into an understanding adulthood. From heroin addiction, abuse, hold-ups and jail to the inner freedom of Buddhism. Words to horrify those of us brought up in regular conditions by traditional parents, yet pleasure as parts of this troubled life begin to fall into place albeit too late for full freedom. One wonders - what happens next - what is the final chapter going to be? But it is yet to be lived, so we do not know!

Recommended to those searching for an unusual autobio, a real-life Buddhist story that has not yet ended, or an easy read thru a difficult life.

DROPPING THE BOW:POEMS OF ANCIENT INDIA - POETRY ANTHOLOGY

RATING: B

A fairly short book that took me just two days to read. The poems I favor are on pages: 22, 25, 26, 30, 36, 49, 51, 65, 67, 71, 75, 81, 83, 84, and 89. Despite having been written several centuries ago, the words are simple to understand in comparison to such English works as Shakespeare or Chaucer. These poems still make sense today.

I would recommend the book to those wanting to sample some of the older dated poetry of India, Indian love poetry, or just have an easy read to open and relax the mind.