Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #164477 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Customer Reviews

Not at all what I expected
Beware, there are many different kinds of Buddhism! And this very far away from what Prince Siddhartha shared with us. One small example: there is a song on how horrible a wife is - not can be or could be - and he therefor does not desire one (well, I wouldn't want a partner like that either, it is easy for anyone to renounce something that is awful anyway). Of course there is an equally horrifying song about having a son and no he does not desire to have one. Siddhartha had a lovely wife and an adorable son and by becoming a Buddha he did not renounce them! This book needs a special classification! Or it had to be filled with comments and it isn't!

bibliophilic edition that worth its money
Yes, it is as ARCHAIC as it can be. Yes, the wording of translation could puzzle even some Christian scholar. But one should really understand the nature of such Classic editions before the purchase is made. Then, one should inquire what is the purpose of Dover Thrift Editions before jumping into conclusions which are nothing more than a demonstration of frustration with own inattentive approach. Citation: 'Dover Thrift Editions of unabridged classics in fiction, poetry, plays, and non-fiction are in demand by book lovers, students, and teachers the world over!' What can be more self-explanatory than "unabridged classics" for "book lovers, students, and teachers"??
I was pretty amused though and managed to the very last page. Maybe that's because I have read all of them (songs, of course) before and some of them in two languages; I don't know.
Milarepa is the King of Tibetan Yogis. His songs are sometimes advices for laymen; sometimes they are metaphorical instructions for those who are able to understand them; by most part, they are depiction of the state of Mind which is beyond 'words-toys' as Mila called them himself. So, if one needed the book about 'worldly' part of Buddha's teachings, then this book was a clearly wrong choice. But, as I hinted above, don't blame it on the book... This collection of songs is a mere representation of a much larger collection of some 100.000-ish. They were sung by heart in villages across the Tibetan plateau before eager audiences for centuries, so it is fine that this little volume has no comments. But I do have one.
The historical Prince Gautama had a son indeed and it happen before his Enlightenment, which is right too. But Milarepa never had one, he became a wandering yogi and denounced the lay way of life... So, I cannot see why one should say something about "many different kinds of Buddhism" and such? There's one Teaching and many ways to PRACTICE it, simply because we are very different in our understanding of life, social background etc.
To cut it short. It is a NICE PIECE. Just not for everyone. I have it and you can buy it too for a penny with some major purchase. If you will find it annoying in some way, donate it to the Library then. Smile!

The great yogin
A rare masterpiece. The cream of all his songs. His teachings on renunciation are most inspiring. Exquisite. What do you want- A smallsize life or buddhahood?
Few can compare to these simple, lucid, yet extremly profound poems.