Showing posts with label Tenzin Palmo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tenzin Palmo. Show all posts

2020/07/24

Tenzin Palmo - Opening of the Heart

알라딘: 텐진 빠모의 마음공부 Reflection on a Mountain Lake (2002

알라딘: 텐진 빠모의 마음공부




텐진 빠모의 마음공부
텐진 빠모 (지은이),김은령 (옮긴이)열림원2004-07-12원제 : Reflection on a Mountain Lake (2002년)



























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판매알림 신청 출간알림 신청 3,800원

384쪽


책소개
20세의 나이에 출가해 서양 여성 최초로 티베트 수도승 계를 받고 이후 인도에서 수행하며 지낸 24년 가운데 12년을 히말라야 동굴에서 홀로 수행한 텐진 빠모 스님. 2003년에 소개된 <나는 여성의 몸으로 붓다가 되리라>를 통해 알려진 텐진 빠모 스님이 불교의 깨달음과 수행법을 쉽게 풀어 소개한다.

1987년부터 1998년까지 미국과 오스트레일리아에서 강연한 내용을 재구성하여 정리했다. 재가 불자들을 만난 자리에서 받은 불교의 원리나 생활 속의 수행에 관해 받은 질문과 그에 대한 스님의 답변을 수록했다.


목차


지은이의 말
옮긴이의 말

1. 나의 수행기
2. 동기와 수행
3. 생활 속의 수행
4. 여섯 가지 윤회
5. 여성과 구도의 길
6. 사마타, 혹은 고요히 머물기
7. 비파사나, 혹은 직관
8. 깨달음
9. 의심, 그리고 환생과 업보
10. 통렌, 주고받음의 수행
11. 마음의 본질
12. 영적 스승의 역할


책속에서



구도의 길은 스스로 경험하는 것이지 다른 사람들이 설명한 것을 답습하는 것이 아니다. 맹목적인 믿음에 기반한 것도 아니다. 물론 필요한 표를 사고 여행을 떠나려면 신념이 필요하다. 방문할 가치가 있는 여행지가 존재한다는 사실을 믿어야만 한다. 하지만 그보다 훨씬 중요한 것은 그저 계속해서 길을 가는 것이다. 길을 떠나면서 스스로 이렇게 말할지도 모른다. '이 길이 바로 사람들이 설명했던 그 길이군, 설명대로인데.'

편지를 쓴다고 해도, 컴퓨터를 사용하고 있다고 해도, 다른 어떤 일을 한다고 해도 지금 하는 일에 온통 집중해야만 한다. 기본적으로 이것이 사마타이다. 마음 한 쪽에서 다른 일을 생각하지 않고 무엇을 하던지 온 마음과 정성을 다하는 것 말이다. 마음을 절반만 쏟는다면 아무리 열심히 한다고 해도 마음속 내적 갈등이 일어나게 된다. -- 본문 중에서 접기



저자 및 역자소개
텐진 빠모 (Vicki Mackenzie) (지은이)
저자파일


샤카디타 인터내셔널 회장. 영국 런던에서 태어나서 1964년 20세 때 정신적인 구도의 길을 찾아 인도로 건너가 티베트 스님 제8대 캄툴 린포체를 만났고, 서양 여성으로서는 최초의 티베트 비구니가 되었다. 12년간 히말라야 동굴에서 은둔 수행한 감동적 이야기가 『Cave in the Snow』라는 제목으로 엮어져 나왔다(한국에서는 『나는 여성의 몸으로 붓다가 되리라』라는 제목으로 번역되었음).


최근작 : <불교 페미니즘과 리더십>,<나는 여성의 몸으로 붓다가 되리라>,<텐진 빠모의 마음공부> … 총 19종 (모두보기)

김은령 (옮긴이)
저자파일
최고의 작품 투표
신간알림 신청

월간 ≪럭셔리≫ 편집장이자 번역가. <바보들은 항상 여자 탓만 한다>, <비즈니스 라이팅>, <럭셔리 이즈> 등을 썼고 <패스트푸드의 제국>, <침묵의 봄>, <나이 드는 것의 미덕>, <존 로빈스의 인생 혁명> 등 20여 권을 번역했다. 이화여자대학교에서 영어영문학을 전공하고 같은 학교 대학원에서 언론학 석사학위를 받았다. ≪행복이 가득한 집≫ 편집장을 지냈으며 <설득의 심리학 워크북>(김호 공역)을 옮겼다.





최근작 : <밥보다 책>,<럭셔리 is>,<비즈 라이팅> … 총 41종 (모두보기)



이런 좋은 책은 재판도 좀 내주고 이북도 좀 만들어주지... 도서관 책 발췌하느라 너무 힘들었다...
yuna 2019-07-05 공감 (1) 댓글 (0)
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마이리뷰



[마이리뷰] 텐진 빠모의 마음공부


텐진 빠모의 마음공부, 텐진빠모 저, 김은령 역, 열림원, 2004
오후 4:13 2017-09-29
˝깨끗하고 고매한 마음을 갖기 위해서는 긴장 푸는 법을 배워야 합니다. 긴장한 상태에서 시작한다면 수행을 할수록 더욱 긴장하게 됩니다. 일단 렁(˝결제 수행 중인 사람들에게서 나타난다는 심각한 공황 상태이자 신경과민 상태˝42쪽)에 빠지면 극도로 긴장하게 되고 불안해지지요. 긴장하고 불안해지면 렁에 빠지게 되고요. 악순환이 계속되는 거죠. 그렇기 때문에 마치 운동할 때처럼 조금 편안하게 시작해야지, 안 그러면 스스로를 다치는 결과가 나타납니다. 수행의 최고 강도에 도달할 때까지 조금씩 정도를 높여 가는 것이 좋지만 그럴 때에도 역시 편안한 마음을 잃어서는 안됩니다. 끝낼 때에도 서서히 그 정도를 낮추어가며 충격을 줄여가야 합니다. 마음이 깨어 있다고 해도 여전히 긴장을 풀고 편안하게 하는 것이 중요합니다. 그렇다고 편안한 마음이 멍하고 초점 없는 상태를 의미하는 것은 아니죠. ... 수행이란 기쁨이어야지 시련이어서는 안됩니다. 지금 하고 있는 행위가 기쁨이 되면 마음과 수행이 하나가 됩니다. 만일 마음이 지나친 압박을 받고 경직되면 수행을 제대로 받아들이지 못하며 가릉에 빠지게 되지요. 이런 갈등이 렁을 만들어낸답니다. 우리는 자신의 한계를 깨달아야 하고 스스로에 대해 동정심을 가져야 합니다. ... 능력 이상으로 자신을 몰아붙이는 것은 피하세요. 수행할 때에는 피곤함을 느끼기전에 잠시 쉬어야 합니다. 이렇게 잠시 쉬면 우리 마음은 수행을 기쁜 경험으로 받아들여서 ‘정말 재미있었다‘라고 기억하게 된답니다. 그렇게 되면 다음 번 수행에서도 열성적으로 임할 수 있게 되지요. 하지만 너무 힘들고 지치는 순간까지 몰아간다면 우리 마음은 ‘이 정도면 충분해‘ 하고 기억하게 됩니다. 수행을 지루하고 지치는 것으로 기억하면 다음 번 수행을 위해 자리에 앉을 때부터 무언가 저항이 생깁니다. ... 마음속에 심한 갈등이 일때 그때가 바로 렁에 빠지는 때랍니다˝43쪽
[나]수행은 즐거워야한다는 것이 기본 논조이다.
˝내가 있는 곳이 바로 내가 있어야 할 곳입니다. 그렇기 때문에 혼자 있어도 괜찮고 다른 사람들과 함께 있어도 괜찮은 거죠. 늘 일어나는 대로 따를 뿐입니다˝53쪽
˝명상에 있어 가장 중요한 것은 어떻게 하면 깨어 있을지, 어떻게 하면 더욱 명석한 상태에 도달할지, 어떻게 하면 더욱 명료한 의식을 유지할지, 또 어떻게 그 순간에 충실할지를 배우는 것입니다˝54쪽
[나]수행자들은 비록 백 년을 살지라도 절대 평화에 이르는 길을 모른다면 그 같은 진리를 알고 사는 그 하루가 훨씬 낫을 것이다라고 한다. 이는 양보다는 질을 중시하는 태도이다.
˝우리가 늪가에 서있는 것은 거기 서 있어야 다른 사람들을 끌어낼 수 있기 때문이다. 자신이 늪 속에 있는 한, 아무리 다른 사람들을 돕고 싶어한들 도울 수가 없다. 다른 사람을 도우려고 노력할수록 그들과 함께 진흙 속 더 깊은 곳으로 빠져들고 만다. 다른 사람들을 효과적으로 도우려면 자신이 먼저 단단한 땅에 발을 내딛어야 한다˝61쪽
[나]참견을 금기시 한다.
˝원인을 아무리 정당화한다고 해도 화를 내면 자신의 적수, 그가 지닌 분노의 저수지를 휘저어놓는 결과가 될 뿐이다. 잠시 정당화할 수 있을지 모르지만 결국 그 대가로 더 심한 반대와 미움만 돌아올 것이다˝68쪽
[나]분노를 금기시 한다.
˝해결하려고 노력하는 문제는 외부에 있는 것이 아니다. 진짜 문제는 우리 내부에 자리잡고 모습을 드러낼 수 있는 적당한 구실만을 기다리고 있는 분노 그 자체다˝69쪽
˝그 중 하나가 바로 ‘항복‘이고 또 다른 단어는 ‘포기‘라고 한다˝71쪽
˝마음이 벌이는 복잡한 놀이를 포기하고 완전히 마음을 열고 맑고 깨끗한 정신으로 앉아있는 것이야말로 가장 위대한 포기라 할 수 있다. 그렇게 할 수 있다면 자연스럽게 열려있고 꾸밈없으며 명쾌한 상태로 들어가게 되고 이는 결국 깨달음의 시작으로 이어진다. 부정적인 감정의 근원이라 할 수 있는 무지를 다룰 수 있게 되기 때문이다˝72쪽

˝지혜와 자비는 ‘나‘라는 존재가 사라질 때만 얻을 수 있다. 이런 수준에 도달한다면 그때는 다른 사람들을 도울 수 있다. 그렇게 되기 전까지는 눈 먼 사람이 눈 먼 사람을 이끄는 것에 지나지 않는다˝ 163
˝명상의 핵심은 극도로 긴장을 풀면서 동시에 극도로 깨어있는 것이다˝ 164
˝우리가 붓다가 되는 것을 막을 사람도 없다. 스스로가 막을 뿐이다 ... 세상을 바꿀 수는 없지만 세상에 대한 태도는 바꿀 수 있다˝ 168
˝세계의 경제와 정치 상황을 다루는 이런 사람들이야말로 엄청난 선을 행할 수 있는 위치에 있으므로 자신의 지혜로운 마음과 명확성, 평정에 접근하는 법을 배워야 한다는 것이 이 단체의 신념이다˝169
˝집착하지 않고 흘러가게 하는 것이 명상의 목표입니다˝172
˝사람들은 고통스럽기 때문에, 또 혼란스럽기 때문에 무섭게 행동한다. 마음 속에 평화와 사랑, 자비심을 갖고 있는 사람은 무섭게 굴지 않는다 ... 모든 일에 마음을 열고 있기 때문이다˝190
˝당신이 암소를 길들이는 가장 좋은 방법은 암소에게 넓은 풀밭을 허락하는 것이다˝192
[나]자유로움을 중시. 해탈.
˝인식이 완고해지면 생각은 어리석어진다˝192
[나]유연성
˝사람은 공포로부터 도망치기 위해 마음을 산란하게 만들어버립니다. 아주 자연스러운 일이지요. 하지만 매번 이렇게 대응하다보면 늘 비슷한 경험만 반복하게 될 것입니다˝198

˝그렇다고 일부러 성가시고 대하기 어려운 사람을 찾아다니라는 말은 아닙니다. 그런 사람들은 저절로 등장 할 테니까요. 이와 더불어 붓다께서는 좋은 친구들을 찾으라고 하셨습니다. 좋은 친구란 도덕적으로 영적으로 자신보다 낫거나 적어도 비슷한 사람을 의미합니다. 우리는 내면의 선을 계발할 수 있도록 자극하고 영감을 불어넣는 친구들을 만나야 하고 부정적인 면으로 영향을 미치는 나쁜 친구들은 가능한 한 멀리 하려고 노력해야 합니다˝250
[나]멀리하고 피할 것. 싸우는 것보다 대면하는 것보다 현명한 방법
˝부정적으로 살기에는 시간이 너무 없었던 것입니다˝258
[나]시간의 소중함
˝질문을 잊지 않는 마음, 그저 들은 대로 세상 만물을 받아들이지 않는 열린 마음은 결코 문제될 것이 없다˝265
˝윤리적 행위가 기반되지 않는다면 마음이 너무 산란해서 명상을 할 수 없다˝333
˝벌레들에게 기회를 주세요 ... 그들 역시 삶에 대한 권리를 지니고 있습니다˝338
˝진정한 확신이란 그들의 가르침을 통해 살필 수 있는 것이지 그들의 자아 과신과는 상관이 없다. ... 일상에서는 어떻게 행동하는가. 자신에게 별 도움이 되지 않을 것 같은 평범한 사람들을 어떻게 대하는가˝353
˝은둔자가 숨어 사는 곳을 방랑하는 수도승이 지나가게 되었다. 은자가 수수께끼 같은 문장을 말했더니 수도승은 ‘깨달음‘을 얻게 된다. 누군가 찾아와 수수께끼 같은 문장 하나를 던지기 전까지 그 수도승이 사실은 30년간 수행을 했다는 사실에 관해서는 늘 그렇듯 거의 언급되지 않는다 ... 깨달음은 그저 누군가의 가르침을 통해 가능한 것이 아니다. 상당 부분은 자신의 자발적인 노력을 통해 이루어진다˝359
˝유명한 스승이 불법 순회에 나서면 사람들은 그저 그 단체를 따라다니며 한정된 비전을 발전시키는 일에 매달린다. 오직 그 한 스승, 그리고 그의 승려와 조직, 가르침만 존재할 뿐이다. 그 외에는 아무것도 없다. 특정 단체에 관해 의문이 생긴다면 그곳에 몸 담고 있는 사람들을 살펴 보라. 매일 거리에서 만나는 사람들보다 이들이 더 많은 깨달음을 얻은 듯 보이는가˝360
˝당신은 나를 자유롭게 해줄 수 없습니다. 나를 자유롭게 할 수 있는 것은 오직 나 자신뿐입니다˝361
˝차라리 집으로 돌아가 자리에 앉아 가족들에게 친절히 대하면서 불법 수행을 익히는 것이 더 낫다. 만나는 모든 사람들에게 더 많은 사랑과 자비를 베풀고 친절과 인내를 발휘할 수 있는지 배우는 것이 더 나을 것이다˝360
˝우리는 모두 자신의 구루라고 할 수 있다. 결국 자신의 타고난 지혜에 접근해야 한다˝363
˝수행이 성공적인지 확인해보려면 부정적인 감정이 줄어들었는지 아닌지를 살피라 ... 부정적인 감정이 줄어들지 않았다면 수행은 헛된 것˝364
˝여기서 수행을 하지 못한다면 다른 어디서는 할 수 있겠는가˝364
˝존경할 수 없는 라마를 만나게 된 상황에서는 그 분을 헐뜯거나 비난하지 말고 그저 지나친 열성이나 관심을 보이지 않도록 주의해야 할 것입니다. ‘괜찮은 것 같다‘는 정도로 말하는 것으로 충분합니다. 그 라마가 어떤 사람인지 개인적으로 물어온다면 비난하는 것이 아님을 미리 밝힌 후 ‘논란의 여지가 있는 사람‘이라고 말합니다. 누군가 다가와서 ‘나는 이 사람을 만났고 꽤 관심이 가는데 어떤 사람인지 확실하지 않습니다. 어떻게 생각하시나요‘하고 묻는 것이 아니라면 함부로 비난하는 것은 좋지 않아요. 만일 누군가 이런 방식으로 묻는다면 나는 생각한 바를 가능한 한 외교적으로 정중하게 말할 것입니다. 그 라마를 피하는 것이 낫겠다고 제안하겠지요˝367
˝약속을 너무 진지하게 받아들이지 않도록 분별력을 발휘해야 합니다˝371
끝.
2018-01-03


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상선약수 2018-01-11 공감(0) 댓글(0)
생각하며 느끼며...





만담가인 우쓰미 케이코씨의
아버지가 입버릇처럼 하는 말이 재미있다.
"내가 웃으면 거울이 웃는다"였다.
우쓰미씨는 이 말을 좋아해서,
자신의 좌우명으로 삼고 있다고 한다.
나도 나만의 격언을 가지고 있다.
"거울은 먼저 웃지 않는다"
언제 어디서나 먼저 웃음을 보이는 삶을
살고 싶다고 나 자신을 타이른다.


- 가네히라 케노스케의 <거울은 먼저 웃지 않는다> 중에서 -












* 누군가의 해맑은 웃음을 보면 저절로 기분이 좋아집니다.
그러나 남의 웃음을 기다릴 것이 없습니다. 오늘부터는
내가 먼저 좋은 웃음, 좋은 느낌을 누군가에게
전하는 날로 만들어 보는 건 어떨런지요.






봄은 늘 변덕이 심하다.
두터운 옷들을 벗게 해놓고 나서, 느닷없이
덜덜 떨게 하기도 하고, 썰렁하게도 한다. 그래서
철없는 식물들은, 천재이거나 아니면 세상을 못 믿는
약삭빠른 사람들처럼 재빠르게 잎보다 먼저 대뜸
꽃을 피웠다가, 활짝 필 겨를도 없이
당해서 스러지기도 한다.


- 강운구의 《시간의 빛》중에서




주변에
나를 귀찮게 하고
괴롭히는 사람이 없다면
인내심을 배울 수 없을 것입니다.
나를 성가시게 하는 사람들,
나에게 도움이 되지 않고 해로운 행동을 하는 사람들,
나를 아프게 하는 사람들은 원한의 대상이 아니라
감사를 보내야 할 대상입니다. 이런 사람들은
영적인 근육을 강하게 만들어주는 사람들이며
이해와 인내를 훈련할 기회를 주는 스승입니다.


- 텐진 빠모의 《마음공부》중에서 -





누구를 가장 먼저 사랑해야 합니까?
그것은 다른 그 누구도 아닌
나 자신부터입니다.

우리가 세상을 살아가면서
가장 먼저 관계 맺는 사람은
세상의 다른 어느 누구도 아닌,
바로 자기 자신입니다.

멀리서부터 어렵사리 사랑을 주어야 할 필요도 없습니다.
누군가에게 사랑을 주었다가 상처 받을까
두려워 할 필요도 없습니다.
가장 먼저 사랑이 필요한 것은 바로
나 자신이기 때문입니다.
가장 먼저 사랑을 줄 수 있는 것도 바로
나 자신이기 때문입니다.

자신을 향한 사랑이 넘쳐 날 때 그제서야 비로소
타인을 향한 여유와 배려가 생겨납니다.
그제서야 우리는 다른 누군가를 진정으로 사랑할 수 있게 됩니다.
내게 없는 사랑을 스스로 충족시킬 수 없으니 옆에 있는 누군가를 붙잡고
어서 내어 놓으라고 떼쓰고 빼앗고 울고 성질 부리기를 그치고
내 안에 넉넉해진 사랑이 넘쳐 나와 다른 이들에게 넉넉한 사랑을
나누어 줄 수 있게 되는 것입니다.

무언가 관계에 문제가 생긴다면 반드시 기억하세요.
관계의 본질이란 다른 그 무엇도 아닌 사랑이라는 것을요.
우리가 세상에 온 가장 큰 이유 중의 하나도 사랑이라는 것을요.
지금 바로 가슴에 손을 얹고 느껴보세요.
당신이 지금까지 가장 큰 사랑을 느꼈던 그리 크지 않다 하더라도
가슴이 따뜻해짐을 느꼈던 그 순간을 떠올릴 수 있겠습니까?

나를 향한 사랑도
연인을 위한 사랑도
세상을 향한 사랑도
바로 이 작은 사랑의 불씨에서부터 시작되는 것이랍니다.
나를 사랑한다는 것은
모든 치유의 시작입니다.
모든 사랑의 시작입니다.


전용석, 아주 특별한 성공의 지혜 中



'단단히 붙잡되, 가볍게 놔줘라 (hold on tightly, let go lightly)' 것은 생산성과 내적 평화 사이에서 최고의 균형을 얻을 수 있는 모토가 된다. '붙잡는' 것은 당신이 열심히 일하고 끝까지 계속하며, 최선을 다해 노력하고 인내하면서, 당신이 추구하는 목표를 절대로 포기하지 않겠다는 것을 암시한다. '가볍게 놔준다'라는 말에는 그러나 너무 오래 매달리지는 않을 것이며, 그만두어야 할 때라면 깨끗이 포기한다는 뜻이 들어 있다. 단단히 붙잡되, 가볍게 놔준다는 의미에서 성공의 매우 중요한 두가지 측면인 목표달성과 만족의 기쁨이 포함된다.

육아에서 그 멋진 예를 찾을 수 있다. 부모들은 자녀가 어릴 때는 단단히 붙잡아주고 싶어한다. 우리는 그 아이를 보호하고, 여러 가지 경험을 접하게 해주려고 열심히 노력한다. 우리는 그 아이의 안전을 지키고 도덕적으로 바르게 자라도록 인도한다. 그 아이를 가장 좋은 방향으로 인도하기 위해 가능한 모든 일을 한다. 그러나 마침내 옆으로 비켜서서 그 아이로 하여금 자신의 인생을 살게 하기 위해 '놔주어야'할 시기가 온다. 놔준다는 것은 자녀에 대한 사랑을 끝내자는 것과는 전혀 상관이 없다. 사실 놔주는 것은 가장 깊은 자식 사랑의 표현가운데 하나다.

비즈니스는 물론이고 모든 형태의 경쟁에서 같은 원리가 적용된다. 우리에게 도움이 될 수 있는 일이라면 최선을 다해 해야 할 대가 있다. 최대한 노력해 협상을 하고 최고의 이익을 위해 일하는 등 마치 우리의 인생이 그 일에 달려 있는 것처럼 노력을 경주해야 할 때가 있다.

성공하기 위해 할수 있는 모든 노력을 기울인다. 그러나 계절은 바뀌게 마련이다. 필연적으로 찾아들게 되있는 것이 변화다. 게임에서 이겼든 졌든 간에, 우리는 그 때를 맞이해야 한다. 아마 게임을 너무 오래 했을지도 모른다. 아마 환경이나 생활 자체가 우리보다 앞서갔거나 우리의 관심사가 예전과 달라졌는지도 모른다. 그렇다면 이젠 놔줘야 할 때다.

깨끗하게, 앞을 내다보고 놓아줄 수 있다면 여전히 평온한 마음을 잃지 않으며, 경험을 성장의 발판으로 삼을 수 있을 것이다. 꼭 쥐었던 주먹을 펼 때처럼 편안하고 힘이 솟는 것을 느끼게 된다. 안녕이라고 말해야 할 시기가 왔을 때, 또는 변화를 주어야 할 시기가 왔을 때 기꺼이 그렇게 하라. 언제나 꿈을 향해 나가도록 해줄 것이다. 뒤를 돌아보지 않고 다음의 큰 모험에 집중할 수 있게 해줄 것이다.

- 리처드 칼슨의 [걱정하지 말고 돈을 벌어라]중-



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2019-06-20 도서관에서 빌렸다. 동네 도서관에...


2019-06-20 도서관에서 빌렸다. 동네 도서관에 없어서 다른 동네꺼 신청했는데 이틀만에 왔네. 좋다.#books #텐진빠모의마음공부
----------------


Reflections On A Mountain Lake: Teachings On Practical Buddhism
by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo


 4.41  ·   Rating details ·  277 ratings  ·  28 reviews
This sparkling collection of Dharma teachings by Tenzin Palmo addresses issues of common concern to Buddhist practitioners from all traditions. Personable, witty, and insightful, Tenzin Palmo presents an inspiring and no-nonsense view of Buddhist practice.

Write a review
Chris Coffman
Feb 10, 2009Chris Coffman rated it it was amazing
This book is a spiritual classic, instantly and deeply meaningful to any reader who is looking for real guidance on the path towards meaning and purpose in life.

Although REFLECTIONS ON A MOUNTAIN LAKE isn't the global best seller that it deserves to be, Tenzin Palmo herself is fairly well-known as the Englishwoman who lived in a cave in the Himalayas for 12 years. She says several times that living in a cave for 12 years is not necessary to achieve enlightenment, but she herself emerged as a truly remarkable human of great wisdom, compassion and insight into the human condition.

One is constantly reminded of St. Augustine's CONFESSIONS and Plato's DIALOGUES as one reads this collection of her talks, which includes question and answer sessions with her listeners. It really is in same class as these works, along with others such as the TAO TE CHING and the IMITATION OF CHRIST.

It is such a wonderful book, not only for its first class intellectual content, but because Tenzin Palmo, good Tibetan Buddhist that she is, is concerned primarily and repeatedly with sharing practical advice on meditation and day-to-day living. She wants to make a real, positive difference in the lives of her listeners and her readers.

A minor issue is Palmo's occasional, mild, swipes at other religious traditions; she seems to be unaware of the convergence of her own insights with those, for example, of Catholic monasticism. This is a minor issue, and one that is easily corrected by reading Merton's THE SILENT LIFE, for example.

But despite its minor flaws, its only peers include the best books, in the next class directly below the sacred texts themselves, spanning the millenia of recorded human inquiry into spiritual experience. I hope REFLECTIONS finds many readers today . . . I am confident that it will be read for many generations to come. (less)
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Can
Feb 10, 2014Can rated it it was amazing
it is one of the best spiritual books i have ever read. Tenzin Palmo is very inspiring, sincere and sometimes provoking. She gives all the basics about the Buddhism and the practice especially for westerners. Her journey is quite exciting and she tells her story with lots of humorous comments. i felt Buddhism more approachable for myself after reading her book.
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Jim Lavis
Mar 27, 2019Jim Lavis rated it it was amazing
The book “Cave in the Snow” inspired me to read this collection of lectures by Tenzin Palmo. Tenzin Palmo is truly a scholar when it comes to Buddhism and mediation. I respect her approach on religious studies and how curiosity played such a role in her life. She has a knack of being able to capture and communicate her life’s experiences. Many of these thoughts in this book were shared within her memoir “Cave in the Snow,” but I felt these lectures added some depth to our understanding.

There are so many paragraphs or sections within these lectures that are so poignant and well said I can’t say enough about her wisdom and her ability to simplify such complex concepts. Now on the other hand, there are many portions within these lectures that focus on the different philosophies or teachings of Buddhism that are a bit too academic for me, but with all that being said, I love the way she writes and communicates to a western audience.
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Rubina
Feb 08, 2014Rubina rated it it was amazing
Shelves: mindfulness, philosophy, spiritual
This book is a wonderful collections of Dharma teachings by Venerable Tenzin Palmo. It starts off with an introduction of Tenzin Palmo's early life, her interest in spiritualism and existentialism before discovering Buddhism. Being one of the early Western practitioners of Buddhism and recognizing the recent growing interest in Buddhism from the West, her explaination of Buddhist teachings and practices are concise, straightforward and easy to understand. What i especially like is that at the end of each chapter there is a Q&A section (from audiences of her talks) which provides further great insights.
Definitely an insightful and inspirational book for any practising Buddhist or layperson.
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Jason
Aug 06, 2017Jason rated it it was amazing
Shelves: buddhism, non-fiction, philosophy, spirituality
If you're looking for a compass to chart your course, look no further. This is one of the most spiritual books I have ever read. Whether or not you believe in enlightened beings, Tenzin is one of the most compassionate, sincere, and thought-provoking women to come along. She presents pearls of wisdom on every page of this book and lays out a clear path toward greater peace and fulfillment in this life. This book is just as important for the master as it is for the beginner. Read it. Re-read it. But most importantly, let these ideas transform your daily walk. (less)
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Heather
Sep 25, 2012Heather rated it really liked it
I liked this book so much I put it on my Amazon Wishlist
flag1 like · Like  · comment · see review
Deb
Dec 27, 2014Deb rated it it was amazing
This is one I keep by my bed and read over and over. I guess I hope it inhabits me someday. Very accessible lectures about Buddhism and living.
flag1 like · Like  · comment · see review
Raul
May 23, 2020Raul rated it really liked it
"Our whole life is made up moment after moment after moment. If we miss these moments through thinking about something else, they are gone forever. If we bring our consciousness to the task at hand, whatever it is, the mind itself is washed clean. There is no stress attached to doing this." * "We must try to develop the practice of giving everything we do our full attention. The thing that we are doing in this moment is the most important thing we could possibly be doing, because it is what we are doing. Everything else is just thinking "about." It's just memory or anticipation. The only reality we have is what we are doing in this very moment. And if we miss that, we've lost it, forever, because it's gone." * "We become dulled by the force of habit. We no longer see, and we think that everything is boring. Little children are fascinated by everything around them because everything is interesting to them. [...] Children don't have preconceptions, they don't make comparisons or interpretations." * "Our lives are not dull. We make them dull because our minds are dull." * "If you have the chance, the great opportunity to know, suddenly, that you are going to die, then that is a wonderful opportunity to decide once and for all what is important and what is not important. What is important to think and what is not important to think. What emotions it is necessary to cling to and what it is not necessary to cling to. It's a wonderful opportunity to come face to face with what matters and what does not matter. Death is not a bad thing; we all have to go. But we must use this opportunity to grow up and to clear our relationships. Not clinging, just loving without attachment. To really face who we are. To die without regret. To feel that we have lived our lives in such a manner that it's ok to go now. And if we are faced with the fact that we are going to die within a short time, remember that we are all going to die within a short time anyway, but we just don't realize that. If we are forced to face this fact, then this is a great opportunity for enormous inner transformation." * "Everything is a projection of our minds. Just as in the physical realm, we are all projecting. We are each living within our own projections. There is some physical basis. It is not completely arbitrary. But everybody sees things with their own interpretations. We are all projecting our own movie. When we no longer have a physical base, after the death of the body, our mind will create the seeming external appearances. Therefore it is important to write a good script while we have the chance, because we are going to be fully involved in the movie afterwards!" * "In our normal state of mind, we are completely submerged in our thoughts and feelings. There is no inner space available. When we think, we think we are the thoughts. When we feel, we think we are the feelings. We are completely identified with our thoughts and feelings. We totally believe in them. We are totally engulfed in them. This is one of the reasons why we suffer so much." (less)
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Rhiannon
Jun 19, 2018Rhiannon rated it it was amazing
This was outstanding. I checked it out from the library but will definitely buy it. Each chapter is transcribed from a lecture followed by a Q&A, with Tenzin Palmo's no-nonsense lucidity lighting up each topic. As a Westerner, she makes Buddhism practical and accessible to audiences on this side of the hemisphere with her sharp wit and insights. I wish I could think of more to say but I've already returned the book so can't quote specifics, but Tenzin Palmo is a one-of-a-kind orator. It's a must-read for anyone studying the Buddhist path, from the mildly curious to the fully initiated. (less)
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Ben Payne
Jul 01, 2020Ben Payne rated it really liked it
There were sections I really enjoyed, although in parts it become a bit "religious"; Palmo is more into things like rebirth and cosmology than I am, so I skimmed those parts. The practical aspects though were great.
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Barbara Joan
Sep 27, 2017Barbara Joan rated it liked it
A very approachable and down to earth collection of teachings.
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Dave Gill
Dec 16, 2018Dave Gill rated it really liked it
This was the second book on Buddhism I ever read and it still retains a meaning that can bring me back to the start of my journey.
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Gerardo 
Nov 10, 2015Gerardo rated it really liked it
A very, very interesting collection of Dharma talks given by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, one of the most inspiring and realized Western yoginis of our time.

In them, she speaks about everything from her experience in living in a cave for 12 years to Buddhist cosmology, motivation, the Three Higher Trainings, Mindfulness, the Nature of the Mind and even Vajrayana practice - all in an easy, straightforward way that is not only understandable to Westerners, but also implementable in daily life.

I especi ...more
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Jonathan Waxman
Jul 29, 2009Jonathan Waxman rated it it was amazing
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo was the second Westerner woman ever to become a Tibetan Buddhist nun. Currently she runs a nunnery in India called Dongyu Gatsal Ling to educate and train young Tibetan and Himalayan girls. I attended a talk in Philly she once gave on a fund raising tour to raise money for her nunnery. After she spoke, I met her. I forget what was said, but as I knelt down and approached her, she grasped my hands for a long moment. For some reason, all I really remember is how brilliantly her eyes beamed with love and joy. Meeting her was one of the more memorable experiences of my life. She really is quite exceptional. Anyway, this book of hers is also quite exceptional for two reasons. First, her life story is absolutely fascinating, and she must have unbelievable courage to achieve what she has accomplished. Second, her presentation of Buddhism is incredible clear and engaging. So highly recommended. (less)
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Steve Woods
May 06, 2010Steve Woods rated it it was amazing
Shelves: buddhism, spirituality, biography, favorites
This book writthen by an amazing woman. She had the spiritual bent to begin with. Without it I think it would have been next to imppossible to do what she did. She has tremendous insight into the Buddhist path and the following of it. For anyone interested in the Buddha's teaching or meditation it's a very useful book. It shows how another human being has been able to move a great distancve towards what the Buddha taught is our purpose in this life. Her easy style and clarity of understanding mke it a really accessible read. There are Q&A seesions at the end of every chapet presenting questions that many of us have had and her answers illuminate and guide in a very real way. This has been a great book for me. I have been able to translate what is being put into my owqn practice and my life.

I recommend it to anyone and everyone. I hope my kids read it (less)
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Rochelle
Sep 07, 2009Rochelle rated it it was amazing
Shelves: buddhism, autobiographical-memoir, spirituality
This book was a very personal look at Ven. Palmo's spiritual path, a path that has led her to support many women's aspirations to the Dharma. Her commitment to and passion for Buddhism is also balanced with humor and a real understanding of difficult it is to follow one's choices and to be completely responsible for one's own life. This book is a must read for its many clear explanations of Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism in particular, and for its balanced view of a life committed to a spiritual path.
Well done. (less)
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Leslie
Jun 25, 2010Leslie rated it it was amazing
Shelves: asian
Wow, this book is so moving, so smart, so satisfying. I have begun to read it online thru my library's connection to some library in Colorado but am so ordering my own copy because it's certain to be dog-eared, highlighted and otherwised loved to death. It's like the answers to so many questions and not at all mysterious, or silly or fluffy. This lady is so wise, I wish I could go on some 3 year long mountain cave retreat with her and just listen.
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Gemma Williams
Nov 30, 2007Gemma Williams rated it really liked it
A brilliant and lucid set of teachings from a Western Buddhist nun, including a fascinating account of her time spent on retreat in a cave in the mountains of India. The book is made up of a set of talks followed by question and answer sessions. She conveys things in a very clear and straightforward way, and her example is inspiring.
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Waterlight
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read about Meditation and Buddhism
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2016
Verified Purchase
Tenzin Palmo is a Tibetan Buddhist nun but for any student of Buddhism, this would be an interesting and illuminating book. Start with the book "Snow Cave," which is the story of her journey into Buddhism. That book will frame this one. There is another called "Into the Heart of Life" but it won't matter if you read that one or this one first. This book is compiled from her lectures all over the world. I honestly don't think I have read anyone who explains the inner process of meditation better than Tenzin Palmo does. She was born in England and left for India in the 60's right after the Tibetans fled the Chinese and established themselves in India. She understands the western and the eastern mind and is able to take obscure concepts and explain them so well. After reading so much of her lectures, I constantly said to myself, "oh, I see now." She talks mostly about meditation--how it works, why it works, what to do, what to focus on, what is the nature of the mind, do we need gurus and so forth. Now this isn't a how to book but instead, she gives you understanding of what is happening underneath while you are meditating. She does directly address the challenges that westerners have with understanding Buddhist philosophy especially Tibetan Buddhism. After reading this book, I begin to think that I know nothing at all about this path--probably a good place to start. Don't miss this book and follow her on YouTube also where she has some very interesting lectures.
5 people found this helpful
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Siva Pragathesewaran
5.0 out of 5 stars Teachings of the Buddha by a Buddha
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2016
Verified Purchase
I first read Tenzin Palmo's "Three Teachings" which I took from the shelf which had hundreds of Buddhist books in a bus station in Malaysia. As I read the first two pages, the deep insight shook me. I quickly flipped to the back cover to see the person who had uttered those words, only to find a Western nun with beautiful glazing eyes.After that I got all TP's books. This book, "The reflections on a mountain lake" answers the many esoteric questions a wisdom seeker would have. This book is for anyone, whether a stranger to buddhism or even a meditator. TP's in depth experience is channelled through the words of the Buddha. Basically these are teachings of the Buddha by a Buddha!!
4 people found this helpful
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computer guy
5.0 out of 5 stars Very accessible way to learn about Buddhism and its practice
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2017
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Author writes as if she's having a conversation with the reader. Very powerful and insightful book on Buddhism from someone who has lived it for a long time!
3 people found this helpful
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Martin Edic
5.0 out of 5 stars ... don't want to wade through all the new agey crap out there
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2016
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If you have an interest in Buddhism but don't want to wade through all the new agey crap out there, read this book. She spent twelve years meditating in a cave and came out one of the sanest people imaginable. If she took students, I'd be one.
4 people found this helpful
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Annette Seidenglanz
5.0 out of 5 stars A Rare View
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2016
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This book is a rare view into the life of a woman who grew up in the West and became a nun in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Ani Palmo has also dedicated herself to the successful establishment of an abbey or nunnery in Northern India to continue the growth of a lineage of women practitioners that nearly became extinct due to the political situation in Tibet.

Digesting the foreign practices of Buddhism is a challenge for anyone seeking the wisdom that may be found within it. Ani Palmo has spent her life dedicated to understanding this material and with guidance from her teachers. She is a living exemplar of that lineage.

This book opens many doors with lively writing full of humour and warmth. A real gift...especially for the female practitioner.
4 people found this helpful























Tenzin Palmo Cave in the Snow : A Western Woman's Quest for Enlightenment Why Buddhism?: Westerners in Search of Wisdom

https://www.scribd.com/book/250021645/Cave-In-The-Snow




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<나 여성의 몸으로 붓다가 되리라>   
텐진 빠모 (지은이), 세등(世燈) (옮긴이)
김영사 2011
원제 : Cave in the Snow (1998년)
360쪽
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책소개
한 서양 여성이 머리를 깎고 히말라야의 깊은 설산 속으로 들어갔다. 그리고 12년. 이 책은 그 긴 시간 동안 외부세계와 철저히 차단된 좁은 동굴 속에서 궁핍과 금욕, 고독을 견디고 여성 앞에 놓인 편견의 벽을 넘어 영적 스승 '톈진 빠모'가 되기까지의 삶과 수행을 낱낱이 기록했다. 달라이 라마는 그녀의 치열하고 경이로운 구도에 감동의 눈물을 흘리며 "톈진 빠모, 당신은 정말 용감하군요"라고 말했다고 한다.
책은 크게 세 부분으로 구성된다. 
인도로 떠나기 전까지 영국에서의 어린 시절, 
불교에 귀의하고 티벳 수도원과 동굴에서 수행했던 시절, 
동굴에서 나와 영적인 깨달음을 추구하는 젊은 여성들을 돕는 시절이 그것. 
고된 수행을 견뎌내는 모습도 감동적이고 경이롭지만, 종교에서 배척당에온 '여성'이란 굴레를 거부하고 종교의 벽을 넘어 마침내 여성을 긍정하는 모습이 무척 인상적이다.
현재 북인도 히말라야의 줄기에 자리한 타시 종 사원 부근에서 티벳의 여승들과 외국인 여성 수행자들을 위한 수도원 건립에 힘쓰고 있는 그녀. 오직 '여성의 몸으로 깨달음을 향해 나아가리라'는 목적이 생이 끝나는 날까지 영원할 것이란 말이 두고 두고 남는다.
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목차
  1. 첫 만남
  2. 낯선 고향
  3. 길을 발견하다
  4. 첫발을 내딛다
  5. 구루와의 해후
  6. 보이지 않는 장벽
  7. 라홀
  8. 동굴
  9. 죽음의 위기
  10. 여성 수행자
  11. 여성의 길
  12. 세상 밖으로 나오다
  13. 전망
  14. 스승의 길
  15. 도전
  16. 동굴은 필요한가
  17. 지금은

역자 후기
참고 문헌

저자 및 역자소개
텐진 빠모 (Vicki Mackenzie) (지은이) 
샤카디타 인터내셔널 회장. 영국 런던에서 태어나서 1964년 20세 때 정신적인 구도의 길을 찾아 인도로 건너가 티베트 스님 제8대 캄툴 린포체를 만났고, 서양 여성으로서는 최초의 티베트 비구니가 되었다. 12년간 히말라야 동굴에서 은둔 수행한 감동적 이야기가 『Cave in the Snow』라는 제목으로 엮어져 나왔다(한국에서는 『나는 여성의 몸으로 붓다가 되리라』라는 제목으로 번역되었음).
최근작 : <불교 페미니즘과 리더십>,<나는 여성의 몸으로 붓다가 되리라>,<텐진 빠모의 마음공부> … 총 19종 (모두보기)
세등(世燈) (옮긴이) 
1954년 경북 김천에서 태어나 19살에 동화사 내원암으로 출가했다. 이후 운문사 강원, 동국대학교 불교학과, 동경 고마자와 대학교 불교대학원에서 공부했다. 1994년부터 4년동안 불교 여성학 연구를 위해 UC 버클리에 객원연구원으로 머물렀다.
지은 책으로 <그들은 마음으로 보고 있었다>가 있고, 옮긴 책으로는 <나는 여자의 몸으로 붓다가 되리라>, <이 땅에 오신 석가모니> 등이 있다. 2004년 현재 운문 승가대학 강사.
최근작 : <그들은 마음을 보고 있었다> … 총 5종 (모두보기)



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Cave In The Snow
by Vicki Mackenzie

4.26 · Rating details · 1,686 ratings · 139 reviews

This is the incredible story of Tenzin Palmo, a remarkable woman who spent 12 years alone in a cave 13,000 feet up in the Himalayas.
At the age of 20, Diane Perry, looking to fill a void in her life, entered a monastery in India--the only woman amongst hundreds of monks---and began her battle against the prejudice that had excluded women from enlightenment for thousands of years.
Thirteen years later, Diane Perry a.k.a. Tenzin Palmo secluded herself in a remote cave 13,000 feet up in the Himalayas, where she stayed for twelve years. In her mountain retreat, she face unimaginable cold, wild animals, floods, snow and rockfalls, grew her own food and slept in a traditional wooden meditation box, three feet square. She never lay down.
Tenzin emerged from the cave with a determination to build a convent in northern India to revive the Togdenma lineage, a long-forgotten female spiritual elite.
She has traveled around the world to find support for her cause, meeting with spiritual leaders from the Pope to Desmond Tutu. She agreed to tell her story only to Vicky Mackenzie and a portion of the royalties from this book will help towards the completion of her convent.

Paperback, 256 pages
Published November 26th 2003 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (first published September 15th 1998)

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Popular Answered Questions
Can anyone else tell me if this is a straightforward bio or more of a brag-worship-disguised-as-biography? I like the authors to have it in them to ask questions rather than just towing the party line.
Like 4 Years Ago See All 2 Answers
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Lauren
Mar 03, 2009Lauren rated it it was amazing
ever since reading this as a teenager, I've thought I could be a Buddhist Monk.
I still wish for that sometimes.
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Karan Bajaj
Apr 06, 2015Karan Bajaj rated it it was amazing
What a brilliant book! An incredibly inspiring story of a female monk seeking enlightenment in its truest, most undiluted sense. I admire the remarkable level of detail with which the biographer captured Tenzin Palmo's time in the cave. My wife and I ran into this book at a guest house in the high Himalayas - it was the perfect setting to read it and we both lapped up the story. The idea of meditating in a cave in the Himalayas sounds like a nice escape fantasy, but the reality is quite harsh, grueling, unglamorous, cold and damp. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the genre of "enlightenment quest." (less)
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Mina
Jan 04, 2009Mina rated it really liked it
"Cave in the Snow" is the biography of Tenzin Palmo, a British woman, who became a Tibetan Buddhist nun at an early age. In her attempt to seek enlightenment, she endured 12 years in solitary isolation in a barren cave in the Karakoram mountains. For 12 years, she slept upright in a 2' X 3' "meditation box", endured cold, wild animals, and near starvation.

Surprisingly, I found this book to be a real page turner. It was an uplifting book, and accessibly written by Vicki Mackenzie. I got a real sense for Tenzin Palmo's vibrant, spirited personality. She does not have the hermit-like personality one would think she would have for isolating herself in a cave for 12 years.

The book was also eye-opening. I gained insight into the makeup of a person who is more spiritually inclined than the rest of us. Tenzin Palmo was exceptionally single-minded in pursuing her spiritual goals, more inclined to break societal expectations, and felt more passionately towards Buddha and her gurus than the rest of us.

Through her eyes, I got a sense for how spiritually barren our Western society is compared to the impoverished areas of Northern India where she spent many of her years. We are surrounded my material goods, but are still depressed and lost for all of our material goods, wondering, "What is the meaning of life?" In reading about Tenzin's Tibetan Buddhism learnings, I also gained a surface impression of the depth and learning of certain Buddhist practices, as well as the superficiality of other of the Buddhist practices.

I found the book's message to be uplifting as well. After all of her soul searching, Tenzin Palmo came to the conclusion that all religions seek the same spiritual goal, which is to be "in the moment". Also, we don't have to retreat into a cave to progress spiritually. We can spend 15 minutes a day in the grocery line, washing dishes, or cleaning to calm the chatter in our minds and to attempt being in the present. This book has inspired me to learn more about meditation and its benefits, and more about Buddhism. (less)
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Ananya Ghosh
Jun 17, 2020Ananya Ghosh rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Recommends it for: female sadhakas
Shelves: favourites, spirituality, feminism, 2020, practice-manual
14 highlights
I was recommended 'Cave in the Snow' when I complained that I cound't find writings of spiritually enlightened women. "Why didn't Devi Lopamudra and Devi Gargi and other realized women write any instruction manual for women? All I see are scriptures written by men and experiences of male sadhakas and siddhas", was my question and reason for disappointment.


This book is a biography of bhiksuni Tenzin Palmo. Palmo came to India from England in 1963, following her calling for Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. She was 20 back then. As she pursued her path, she was shocked to discover the patriarchal mindset of fellow male Buddhist practitioners who considered female body to be inferior to reach enlightenment. She was so appalled by the discrimination that she vowed to be enlightened in the female body, irrespective of the number of births it would take her.


On her lama's (guru) instructions, Palmo lived in solitude in a cave in Himachal Pradesh and practiced meditation for 12 years before coming back and helping others with the Dharma practice. Now she also runs a nunnery in Himachal Pradesh to support female monastics of Kagyu lineage.


To my delight, Cave in the snow not only raised the questions which I had, but in Palmo's emotional challenges during her early days, I discovered a woman with whom I can relate. It gave me clarity, comfort and inspiration which I was unable to find reading the experiences of men.


I definitely recommend this book to women sadhakas of all path. (less)
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Tracy
Feb 01, 2009Tracy rated it really liked it
Vickie Mackenzie's tone in this book is a little too breathless and reverential for my taste, but the story she has to tell is quite amazing. What struck me about Tenzin Palmo, aside from her ability to live in a cave/hut on a mountain in the Himalayas by herself, is how she seems to have been totally self-assured about her priorities and choices in life the whole way through. How many people get to be this sure about anything, let alone devotion to a sexist, byzantine religious order belonging to Asian mountain-people? Not that there's anything wrong with Tibetan Buddhism.. I'm just saying, the lady is formidable. (less)
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Sian Lile-Pastore
Dec 08, 2014Sian Lile-Pastore rated it liked it
A really interesting story let down by some clunky ol' writing. This is about a buddhist nun who lived in a cave for twelve years, although it isn't written by the nun (which would have been better) but by a journalist who met up with her. The nun's story is fascinating, but I could have done with more cave and less talking about a whole pile of other seemingly unrelated stuff in the last few chapters. Onwards!
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Mark Robison
Jun 11, 2017Mark Robison rated it it was amazing
I’m not sure I would've read this book so fast if not for the audio version. The writing is very plain and contains lots of attributions such as “she stated” and “she commented,” like a newspaper article. Also, for those who are unable to read books that take the supernatural seriously (and I’m one such person), it can be difficult to accept all of the Tibetan Buddhism mysticism. All that said, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and learning about Tenzin Palmo’s journey from young woman in England to Buddhist nun. What makes the book so engaging, in addition to adventures like being buried in her cave under an avalanche, is its strong and unapologetic feminism. She vows to attain enlightenment in female form “no matter how many lifetimes it takes.” I especially liked when she made the Dalai Lama cry when she explained all of the sexism women must face when pursuing Tibetan Buddhism. Excerpt: “What she had promised was to become a female Buddha, and female Buddhas (like female Christs and female Mohammeds) were decidedly thin on the ground. Certainly there had been plenty of acclaimed women mystics and saints in all parts of the world, but the full flowering of human divinity had, for the past few thousand years at least, been deemed the exclusive domain of the male. The female body, for some reason, had been seen as an unfit or unworthy vessel to contain the most sacred. Now Tenzin Palmo was publicly announcing she was intending to overthrow all that.” The audio version includes two half-hour talks given by Tenzin Palmo in Israel. Grade: A (less)
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James Allen
Apr 19, 2017James Allen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: favorites, buddhism
Tenzin Palmo's life story is inspirational.
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PhebeAnn
Jul 15, 2018PhebeAnn rated it really liked it
Shelves: buddhism
What I expected from this book was essentially a biography of British woman who came a Tibetan Buddhist nun and contemplative long before it was fashionable to do so, but there's a lot more to it.

What I enjoyed most were the later sections of the book where it delved more into the role of women in Buddhism (and particularly Tibetan Buddhism), the relationship between Buddhism and feminism, and the idea of Western Buddhism as a form that is coming-int0-being, and one of its greatest contributions (argues Tenzin Palmo) will be giving women a greater spiritual role.

At times, I disagreed with Tenzin Palmo's feminism (if she'd even call it that - though she is fighting for the equality of women). I felt she is overly critical of the anger of some feminists and that she lets some abusers, such as her teacher Choygam Trungpa, off the hook too easily. Yes, I know Buddhism doesn't like anger. But I also think many women have had to work to claim/express anger even when it's warranted, as we live in a culture where women are not supposed to get angry. So women must be given time to work through that anger. And while I want to leave open the possibility that women have agency to choose union with a non-celibate monk, I still think it's unethical for a monk in a position of power to make advances on young women coming to learn from him.

While I may disagree with her on some points, I nevertheless appreciated Tenzin Palmo's logical, unwavering position on women in Buddhism and the ability of women to attain the same spiritual depth as men. The fact that she lived in a cave for 13 years proving everyone wrong who said women could not withstand such hardship had me cheering. I also appreciated both her refusal of the idea that marriage and childbearing are always longings for women, as well as the depiction of her younger dating life and how she 'integrates' this passion into other parts of her life when she chooses celibacy.

Tibetan Buddhism doesn't resonate for me the way it does for Tenzin Palmo - raised a Spiritualist. Re-incarnation (particularly the lineage of incarnate lamas), hell realms, the rainbow body phenomenon, and other such mystical/religious concepts tend to draw me away from Buddhism rather than the more philosophical traditions of Western Buddhist thinkers such as Stephen Batchelor (who is discussed briefly in the overview of the tensions within Buddhism in the west). That said, it was interesting to learn a bit about Tibetan buddhism.

I particularly enjoyed Tenzin Palmo's teachings at the end of the audiobook, which were very practical if not radically different from those of other western teachers (e.g. Jack Kornfield, Pema Chodron). I am curious to seek out more of her teachings. (less)

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Katrin
Apr 28, 2008Katrin rated it really liked it
This is a fascinating account of one of the first Western women to be ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun. She was also one of the few women, ever, to vow to reach enlightenment in a female form. Historically nuns have had to be satisfied with learning as much as possible then hoping to be reborn into a male form, whereby they might be given the higher teachings. Tenzin Palmo basically demanded the teachings. She was a recognized reincarnation of a close friend of one of the high lamas. She eventually went to meditate in a cave in the Himalayan foothills for 12 years!! Besides being a really great story, this book is very informative about some of the history of Tibetan Buddhism and especially what it has been like for women who wish to achieve a really advanced Buddhist practice. (less)
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Happyreader
Apr 10, 2011Happyreader rated it it was amazing
Shelves: spirituality, bio-and-memoir, women-of-interest, favorites
I’ve always been fascinated by Ani Tenzin Palmo. Twelve years meditating in a Himalayan cave!! And during the “prime” of her life too!! Who does that, you wonder? This engrossing biography answers that it’s a woman so dedicated to spiritual attainment that, despite the considerable obstacles of being a woman and a Westerner in the 1960s, she’s willing to commit and give her life to attaining enlightenment in female form. Her purpose in allowing the author access to her life was to inspire others to commit to their own spiritual attainment and this book achieves that. (less)
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Supriya Dhaliwal
Jan 18, 2015Supriya Dhaliwal rated it really liked it
This book unveils a tale of a revolutionary Western Tibetan nun whose eye is focused on a horizon too distant for most of us to see. Mackenzie has done an amazing job. She has crafted the different chapters in such a reader friendly manner that they not only act as the blackboard of the biographic tales of Tenzin Palmo but also introduce us to the diverse realms of Tibetan Buddhism.
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Product description

About the Author
Vicki Mackenzie has been a features writer for The Daily Sketch and The Daily Mail and has written for The Sunday Times, The Observer, The Daily Express, The Mail on Sunday, and many national Australian magazines.
--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

Book Description
How an English woman, the daughter of a fishmonger from London's East end, has become a world-renowned spiritual leader and a champion of the right of women to achieve spiritual enlightenment --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
From the Back Cover

"In 1976 Diane Perry, by then known by her Tibetan name, Tenzin Palmo, secluded herself in a remote cave, 13,200 feet up in the Himalayas, cut off from the world by mountains and snow. There she engaged in twelve years of intense Buddhist meditation. She faced unimaginable cold, wild animals, near-starvation and avalanches; she grew her own food and slept in a traditional wooden meditation box, three-foot square - she never lay down. Her goal was to attain enlightenment as a woman."--BOOK JACKET. --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

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Customer Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars181 customer ratings


Top Reviews

Vanessa
5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you Tenzin Palmo
Reviewed in Australia on 27 August 2014
Verified Purchase
What a blessing for us all to be living on the planet at the same time as this precious teacher.

Liam J Madden
4.0 out of 5 stars Beatifically inspiring book and deeply fascinating
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2017
Having seen the documentary 'A Cave In The Snow' on YouTube as well as various talks given by Tenzin Poulmo, this is a worthwhile read and an impressive introduction to Buddhism and the incredible experiences of a brave and truly beatific nun. It's a slim read but an enjoyable one and a good companion to any talks you might see - inspiring and deeply fascinating.
4 people found this helpful

Jay
5.0 out of 5 stars Yes
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 January 2019
Verified Purchase
When you read a book and think 'Yes'


This is one of those books. I read it, I gained power from it , I learned.
One person found this helpful

C. Serginson
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating life story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 October 2018
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It was great to learn more about Tenzin Palmo. A very inspirational Buddhist. The book was also thought provoking in its discussion of feminism and Buddhism. Some of the writing was a bit magaziney but engaging nonetheless.
One person found this helpful

David West
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 April 2020
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One woman's lifelong, intuitive, courageous and committed search for Truth. An amazing, fascinating story which has resonance for me and which I do not wish to undermine with further comment. A worthwhile read.

ZERO DREADZ
5.0 out of 5 stars Hare Krishna a really Great book and some of my family knew her when ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 January 2018
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Hare Krishna a really Great book and some of my family knew her when she lived in London and it gives you a good sense of what she went through in the cave in the Snow ❄️
One person found this helpful
---------------
Why Buddhism?: Westerners in Search of Wisdom

by Vicki Mackenzie
3.98 · Rating details · 58 ratings · 4 reviews
Vicki Mackenzie, bestselling author of Cave in the Snow, investigates this question with the insight of a journalist who has explored Buddhism for 25 years. Among those who speak candidly about the effects of Buddhism in their lives are counselors and writers, a woman lama, a terminal cancer patient, a diamond merchant, composer Philip Glass, Professor Robert Thurman, and Buddhist luminaries Sharon Salzberg and Stephen Batchelor. The stories present intriguing responses to the Buddhist way -- to its ideas about consciousness and compassion, work and worldly success, family and relationships, nature and death, reincarnation, and other faiths. At a time when Western culture seems overwhelmed by materialism and individualism, Buddhism is attracting thoughtful people seeking a wiser way to live, inspiring them with tolerant and practical ethics and joyful spirituality. (less)
Why Buddhism?: Westerners in Search of Wisdom


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Johannes Bertus
Dec 21, 2013Johannes Bertus rated it really liked it
Some very inspiring stories. The author's views come through somewhat in the interviews, but she is sincere enough that it didn't bother me too much.
If I had to raise criticism, I would say is somewhat prone to equate Buddhism with Tibetanism, treating the many (legitimate) alternatives as oddities or even aberations. For instance she seems genuinely dumbfounded by Stephen Batchelor's skepticism of rebirth, while I would argue Batchelor merely takes the Buddha's teachings of non-self to their logical conclusion.
But when all is said and done, this is an inspiring overview of some dedicated Western Tibetan Buddhists. (less)
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Dean
Aug 09, 2013Dean rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: buddhism
Some interesting interviews with a wide range of Western background Buddhists over different traditions. Some well known, others not. Gives quite a good overview of the ways that Western people have taken on Buddhism and adapted some of the practices. It is good that the author also included both sides of views on issues such as karma, rebirth etc.
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Duncan Reed
Jun 15, 2019Duncan Reed rated it it was amazing
Shelves: 2019, spirituality
A really interesting and quite diverse group of Western Buddhist practitioners (many well known, some not so) explain why they find Buddhist practices personally beneficial. Mainly focuses on Mahayana, but does include Theravada too. The book is well written, based on interviews with the subjects which have been presented very clearly, and easy to read.
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Belle
Apr 26, 2017Belle rated it it was amazing
This was so inspiring. I started meditating more in hope of experiencing even something in the slight that others in this book. It opens your eyes to another life. Another way of existing in this world that carries you through everything imaginable and not so imaginable.
I really enjoyed getting the different perspectives from all the people interviewed because they each said something valuable and unique and equally important for the understanding and progress of someone hoping to embark on the same path. I felt excited to meditate reading it. The concepts were well explained with many stories and anecdotes along the way to help cement your understanding and to some extent the profundity these people have experienced. As a practical person I very much identified with Buddhism. There were some things I didn't agree with quite as much but that's the beauty of it - it's not an all or nothing "religion" which denotes true authenticity for the benefit of every individual whom partakes. I can't wait to continue my journey of discovering the Buddhist philosophy. (less)
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Tenzin Palmo

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Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, September, 2006.

Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo (born 1943) is a bhikṣuṇī in the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. She is an author, teacher and founder of the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in Himachal PradeshIndia. She is best known for being one of the very few Western yoginis trained in the East, having spent twelve years living in a remote cave in the Himalayas, three of those years in strict meditation retreat.

Vicki Mackenzie, who wrote Cave in the Snow about her, relates that what inspired the writing of the book was reading Tenzin Palmo's statement to a Buddhist magazine that "I have made a vow to attain Enlightenment in the female form - no matter how many lifetimes it takes".[1]

Early life[edit]

Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo was born Diane Perry in Woolmers Park, Hertfordshire, on 30 June 1943.[1][2] Although spiritualist meetings were held in her childhood home, she realized at the age of 18 that she was a Buddhist when she read a library book on the subject. She moved to India at 20, where she taught English at the Young Lamas Home School for a few months before meeting her root lama, the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche.

Career[edit]

In 1964 she became only the second Western woman to be ordained in the Vajrayana tradition, receiving the name Drubgyu Tenzin Palmo, or "Glorious Lady who Upholds the Doctrine of the Practice Succession". The ordination was as a śrāmaṇerī, or novice nun, the highest level of ordination available for women in the Tibetan tradition at the time because the bhikṣuṇī sangha had never been established there. However, with the support of her teacher, in 1973 Tenzin Palmo received the full bhikṣuṇī ordination in Hong Kong, one of the first Western women to do so.

Living at Khamtrul Rinpoche's monastery as the sole nun among 100 monks provided Tenzin Palmo with first-hand experience of the discrimination that restricted women’s access to information that was imparted freely to men. Eager for instruction, she felt frustrated by the fact that she was kept out of most monastic activities because of misogynistic prejudices.[3] She recounts,

When I first came to India I lived in a monastery with 100 monks. I was the only nun... I think that is why I eventually went to live by myself in a cave... The monks were kind, and I had no problems of sexual harassment or troubles of that sort, but of course I was unfortunately within a female form. They actually told me they prayed that in my next life I would have the good fortune to be reborn as a male so that I could join in all the monastery's activities. In the meantime, they said, they didn't hold it too much against me that I had this inferior rebirth in the female form. It wasn't too much my fault.

This phase lasted for six years. Then Tenzin Palmo left the monastery at her teacher’s suggestion to go to Lahaul in the higher reaches of the Indian Himalayas, where she would eventually enter the cave and launch herself into uninterrupted, intense spiritual practice.[4]

The cave[edit]

In 1976 Tenzin Palmo commenced living in a cave in the Himalayas measuring 10 feet wide and six feet deep and remained there for 12 years, for three of which she was in full retreat. The cave was high in the remote Lahaul area of the Indian Himalayas (nearby Tayul Gompa), on the border of Himachal Pradesh and Tibet. In the course of the retreat she grew her own food and practised deep meditation based on ancient Buddhist methods. In accordance with protocol, she never lay down, sleeping in a traditional wooden meditation box in a meditative posture for just three hours a night. The last three years were spent in complete isolation. She survived temperatures of below −30° Fahrenheit (−35°C) and snow for six to eight months of the year.

Activism[edit]

Tenzin Palmo emerged from the cave in 1988 and travelled to Italy as visa problems meant she needed to leave India. Since her retreat Tenzin Palmo has taken on the cause of equal rights and opportunities for Buddhist nuns. In support of this, she spent several years travelling the world fundraising for a new Buddhist nunnery, as her root lama had asked her to do. In 2000, the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery was opened with the purpose of giving education and training to women from Tibet and the Himalayan border regions. At this nunnery, Tenzin Palmo also plans to re-establish the extinct lineage of togdenmas, a Drukpa Kagyu yogini order.[5]

Tenzin Palmo is a member of the six member "Committee of Western Bhikshunis", an organisation of senior Western nuns supported by two Advisors from Taiwan – the Ven. Bhiksuni Heng-ching Shih, Professor of Philosophy at Taiwan National University [Gelongma ordination 1975 in San Francisco] and Ven. Bhikshuni Wu-yin, Vinaya Master. It was formed in the autumn of 2005, after the Dalai Lama told Bhikshuni Jampa Tsedroen that the Western bhikshunis should be more involved in helping to establish the bhikshuni ordination in the Tibetan tradition.[6]

Recognition[edit]

On 16 February 2008, Tenzin Palmo received the title of Jetsunma (reverend lady) in recognition of her spiritual achievements as a nun and her efforts in promoting the status of female practitioners in Tibetan Buddhism by the head of the Drukpa Lineage, the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa,.[7][8]

Books[edit]

  • A collection of her teachings was released as the book Into the Heart of Life by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Snow Lion Publications, 2011. (ISBN 978-1-55939-374-4).
  • Her life was profiled in the book Cave in the Snow by Vicki Mackenzie (ISBN 1-58234-045-5).
  • Tenzin Palmo released a book containing some of her teachings: Reflections On A Mountain Lake: Teachings on Practical Buddhism (ISBN 1-55939-175-8).
  • Three Teachings is a compilation of talks given by Tenzin Palmo in Singapore, in 1998. Three Teachings - Three Teachings

See also[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Online texts[edit]

Media[edit]


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