Fascinated by the 14th Dalai Lama? Pico Iyer, one of our leading travel writers details his father’s and his own relationship with the renowned religious leader. His dad roomed with the young Dalai Lama and offered his view of the wider world before the Dalai Lama began his own world travels. The book includes details from the Dalia Lama’s home-in-exile in Dharamsala, India as well as insights learned from his tours, but more importantly, it examines the Buddhism practiced by this famous man. Centuries ago, Tibetan Buddhists had to choose between the more practical Buddhism observed by their large neighbor, China, and the more dialectical Buddhism followed by India. They chose the latter and to this day, they use a dialogue approach, a question and answer seeking for timeless truths. Iyer paints funny scenes: in one, purple-robed monks hammer against each other's heads while asking difficult questions. An intriguing book, one that combines religion, travel, biography, and politics.
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