Rating: 
Summary: A Very Valuable Work
Review: This book is classified as fiction, but anyone in search of a story will be generally disappointed. The story line is a mere thread to hold together and sugar coat teachings about Tibetan Buddhism, and like the thread that holds together a necklace, it more or less disappears under the beads of doctrine. But it is teaching very well done. The technique of the "parable" adds an emotional dimension to what might otherwise be a dry subject, holds reader interest and provides the spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down. In search of personified Wisdom with whom he has fallen in love and of an answer to his mother's suffering, the narrator goes to a secret garden over a period of 20 years and there meets various ancient Buddhist teachers who tell him sometimes in a very detailed way about: meditation and meditation techniques to attain compassion and freedom from negative states of mind, about universal suffering and death, past and future lives and the karmic influence between them, the realms of existence, how imprints from actions create our worlds, how the negative imprints can be overcome and the worlds changed, ethical living, the way of the spiritual warrior, and emptiness. The topics may be very familiar for Buddhists, though it will serve as a mini refresher course. A beginner might want to follow up on the book with something more organized, but will find this a good introduction. Non-Buddhist readers, while more clearly informed of Buddhist beliefs by the story, may not accept many elements of the doctrine, but it is after all a parable which invites metaphorical interpretation and adaptation of the lessons to the world view of the reader. All in all an informative, entertaining and useful book.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Valuable Work
Review: This book is classified as fiction, but anyone in search of a story will be generally disappointed. The story line is a mere thread to hold together and sugar coat teachings about Tibetan Buddhism, and like the thread that holds together a necklace, it more or less disappears under the beads of doctrine. But it is teaching very well done. The technique of the "parable" adds an emotional dimension to what might otherwise be a dry subject, holds reader interest and provides the spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down. In search of personified Wisdom with whom he has fallen in love and of an answer to his mother's suffering, the narrator goes to a secret garden over a period of 20 years and there meets various ancient Buddhist teachers who tell him sometimes in a very detailed way about: meditation and meditation techniques to attain compassion and freedom from negative states of mind, about universal suffering and death, past and future lives and the karmic influence between them, the realms of existence, how imprints from actions create our worlds, how the negative imprints can be overcome and the worlds changed, ethical living, the way of the spiritual warrior, and emptiness. The topics may be very familiar for Buddhists, though it will serve as a mini refresher course. A beginner might want to follow up on the book with something more organized, but will find this a good introduction. Non-Buddhist readers, while more clearly informed of Buddhist beliefs by the story, may not accept many elements of the doctrine, but it is after all a parable which invites metaphorical interpretation and adaptation of the lessons to the world view of the reader. All in all an informative, entertaining and useful book.
Rating:
Summary: The Garden. A parable
Review: This incredible book was written not only by a learned scholar of Tibetan Buddhism, but by one who has obviously experienced realizations of the path. In this book Geshe Michael provides us with all of the information we need to embark upon the same spiritual journey, and to experience its magical results. If this whets your appetite for more, he also has created a series of correspondence courses which provide even more elucidation of the Buddhist path to enlightenment. (not a money making scheme-these course are free to those who cannot afford them) These are available through the Asian Classics Institute. If you like this book, try also Santidevas "Guide to the Bodhisattvas Way of Life"
Rating:
Summary: Wonderous
Review: This is probably the most important book I've ever read. The style is flowing and easy, while the subject matter is incredibly profound. I feel after reading it that I just read the readers digest version of the meaning of life. And it has inspired me to go forth and read the full text. I intend to always own a copy to give to anyone who expresses an interest because it was a gift given to me, and maybe the best gift I've ever received. I must hear this incredible man teach.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderous
Review: This is probably the most important book I've ever read. The style is flowing and easy, while the subject matter is incredibly profound. I feel after reading it that I just read the readers digest version of the meaning of life. And it has inspired me to go forth and read the full text. I intend to always own a copy to give to anyone who expresses an interest because it was a gift given to me, and maybe the best gift I've ever received. I must hear this incredible man teach.
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