#myfirstdharmabook
On the left is the first dharma book I ever purchased. It’s a strange one for a newbie to dig and at digest and to this day I’m not sure why I was compelled to buy it given that I was pretty darn young. Guess there’s no time like the present moment to be reading The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. I like to romanticize it a very ‘Harold and Maude’ kind of way that I was an old soul looking to spend my warm summer reading about the bardo experiences while all of the other kids were off making out behind woodsheds and drinking skunky beer.
The journal beside it came from a used bookstore in my small hometown and I remember reading it over (again as a newbie) and feeling overwhelmed by all of the terms within it’s old sepia-toned papery covers. I scored a box of these journals and struck up a friendship with the bookseller who would set aside Buddhist books for me whenever they came in. Living in a small town that didn’t have a dharma center and where I only heard rumours of Buddhists (namely the furrowed-brow guy with baggy Thai pants and shaved head who everyone wrote off as bonkers, the clan who frequented the new age store and one woman who did a retreat at Gampo Abbey), I devoured anything I could find that satisfied my Nancy Drew like search for Buddhists, Buddhist books and any bit of information I could find.
This little bit of nostalgia made me wistful of when I was first starting out as a Buddhablogger and the idea of tagging others to share helped me to discover other bloggers and books. So I’m going to do it. If you’re tagged and don’t want to participate, no harm. If you do then share your first dharma book and pass the love along to call out other bloggers to share their story. If you’re of a hashtagger, then how about #myfirstdharmabook to save time should you not want to write a post or if you would like to participate without having been tagged.
Tag. You’re it.
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Hi Tanya,
Thanks for your posts and links on myriad topics the past few weeks-in particular your frank and open-hearted discussion over the past couple of days (and link to NellaLou)-and your ongoing sifting/selecting/recommending which is so very helpful.
This post about first Dharma books made me nostalgic as well.
I dunno if you do this (?), but first books are completely tied up in my mind with the person who recommended them.
Reminds me that I owe a lot to certain (school) teachers.
My first Dharma book was Zen and the Art of Archery: turned my world half upside down. Given to me by Bill Atwell, in his Markham high school world religions class.
My 2nd and 3rd Dharma books completely overturned my life. The Path of Victory: the Paramita; and Glimmerings of the Mystical Life, by the Canadian Buddhist teacher Namgyal Rinpoche. These were given to me by Bill Phelan, a sociology prof at Trent U. I went on to seek out + study with Rinpoche, the most important teacher in my life, and Bill continues to be one of my most important mentors and book-recommenders.
When I first met Rinpoche he told us that one of the most profound books in his spiritual development was ‘Saviours of God: Spirtual Exercises’ by Nikos Kazantzakis. Amazing book.
Thanks for initiating this walk down memory (gratitude) lane,
Derek
Hey Derek.
Glad to hear you are liking the recommendations. I always appreciate finding out about new blogs, teachings, videos so it’s a nice way to give back.
I too have book tied in with the people who recommended them. I like that idea of a blog post series around the nostalgia or stories behind the books we’ve received either as gifts or as recommendations. I have one special story about a Thich Nhat Hanh book that was passed along to me.
I have to admit to not being familiar with Namgyal Rinpoche so I’m happy you shared information on your teacher with me. He looks to be a fascinating man.
Thanks for sharing your book recommendations and the stories of the teachers in your life who brought them to your attention. It’s so wonderful that you’ve had such great mentors in your life.
Thanks Tanya. On the subject of the TBoLD, I was facilitating a Dharma discussion on ‘refuge’ a several years ago in New Zealand, and one of the folks interjected: ‘Why aren’t we talking about BOOKS as refuge?” (A great idea: it had never occurred to me.) And she went on to say: “I wasn’t fortunate enough to live in a town with a teacher or a sangha, so when i think of refuge I think of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying.” What a wonderful idea. I wonder if Sogyal Rinpoche has any idea how far and wide and deeply his book has helped folks…
You have to stop reading my mind! That was my first dharma book too. I used to think it was Joko Beck’s Nothing Special then I remembered I had bought TBoLD (Oooo nice acro) when I first started in private practice. KK. I’ll Twitter the hash tag and write the post this weekend!
Mudita,
Lynette Genju
No rush on the post although the TBoLD would make it seem that there is a rush
So wild that it is the gateway book for many people. I found it quite a wild book to pick up as a young newbie!
My first was Zen Flesh, Zen Bones — quick tastes, very satisfying.
Well that looks like a very well-recommended book Ceci. I have to admit I haven’t read much zen having had my flesh and bones bit by the Tibetans at an early age
Whoa! That was my first Dharma book too. I had been to a hospice conference, and a woman gave a talk that was very interesting to me, and mentioned it. I think. I remember reading the part about Tonglen, I think it was that part… he encourages you to recall someone who really loved you. And I got such a clear recollection of my grandmother, I cried with gratitude.