Enlightened Vagabond – The Life and Teachings of Patrul Rinpoche

The life and teachings of the wandering yogi Patrul Rinpoche—a highly revered Buddhist master and scholar of nineteenth-century Tibet—come alive in true stories gathered and translated by the French Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard over more than thirty years, based on the oral accounts of great contemporary teachers as well as written sources. Patrul’s life story reveals the nature of a highly realized being as he transmits the Dharma in everything he does, teaching both simple nomads and great lamas in ways that are often unconventional and even humorous, but always with uncompromising authenticity. These stories provide an ever-fresh source of inspiration for practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism.

News & Reviews

“Enlightened Vagabond enshrines fascinating life stories of the great Patrul, a celebrated scholar and adept roaring in the silent caves of Tibet’s high mountains with the sounds of definitive wisdom and unconditional love that can now reverberate in the hearts of all readers, lay and adept, thanks to this precious book.” —Tulku Thondup Rinpoche, author of Masters of Meditation and Miracles

“Patrul Rinpoche is universally revered by all Tibetan lamas, and his life is a rich source of teaching on what constitutes true Dharma practice. The anecdotes of his life show, with sharp humor, the authentic way, often exposing the traps and deceptions of human and institutional folly. Matthieu Ricard has a unique and intimate connection with the masters of this lineage. This book will be a classic and is a must-read for all who wish to explore the heart essence of Tibetan Buddhism.” —Ringu Tulku, author of Confusion Arises as Wisdom

“Patrul Rinpoche is one of the greatest Tibetan masters of the past few hundred years. He was a deeply learned scholar and also a humble yogi who renounced fame and power to devote his life to practice and guiding others along the path. The experiential lineage that he taught continues to this day. His teachings have influenced countless meditators, including scholars and yogis from all four of Tibet’s main Buddhist lineages. This wonderful book paints an inspiring portrait of this great master. It will be of great benefit to all those interested in the path of awakening.” —Mingyur Rinpoche, author of The Joy of Living

“Patrul Rinpoche was an important scholar and Dzogchen practitioner of the Rimé movement during the late nineteenth century in East Tibet. He was especially known for his eccentricity in lifestyle along with his uncompromising and brilliant Dharma teaching. His reputation as a colorful ‘character’ in a world of rigid social conformity is delightfully illustrated in these various amusing and instructive anecdotes collected by Ven. Matthieu Ricard for this book.” —Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, author of Reflection on a Mountain Lake

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