Buddha’s Not Smiling

”..untangles is a sordid tale about hypocrisy and bribery as well as intimidation and violence…a great eye opener for Buddhists and others. —-Michael Parenti (author of The Culture Struggle & The Assasination Of Julius Caesar’s”Curren’s analysis of the dispute is unbounded by bias and his concern for the health of Tibetan Buddhism feels genuine —-KirkusThis book is an indisputable call to Tibetan Buddhists to use the only standard that the Buddha would use: self-mastery. – –Sankara Saranam (author of God Without Religion)”Curren’s analysis of the dispute is untroubled and his concern – about the health of Tibetan Buddhism- feels genuine KirkusThis book is an indisputable call to Tibetan Buddhists to select their leaders using the only standard that the Buddha would use: self-mastery. Sankara Saranam is the author of God Without Religion.
In the past two decades, Buddhism has seen a surge in popularity and millions around the globe consider Tibetan Buddhism to be the most authentic and pure form of religion. However, the Tibetan Buddhist world is facing a political conflict between Tibetan lamas that threatens its integrity and the thousand-year-old teachings. Rumtek monastery was attacked on August 2, 1993. The monks of Rumtek were expelled, and the cloister was handed over to the supporters of a group of boy-lamas who had been appointed by the Chinese government. Rumtek wasn’t in China, and the attackers weren’t Communist troops. Rumtek was in India where most Tibetan exiles are safe. The siege was led by Tibetan monks and lamas. Evidence shows that Chinese agents supported the attack on Rumtek monastery by Tibetan monks and lamas. Although the media has focused on celebrities of international Buddhist faith, the full picture of the controversy is blurred. Buddha’s smile challenges readers to assess the current state of Tibetan Buddhism.