Leaving Buddha

A Tibetan Monk's Encounter with the Living God

By: Tenzin Lakpa, Eugene Bach - contributor

Narrated by: Neil Shah

Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

Where does the search for truth lead?

When Tenzin Lahkpa is 15 years old, his parents give him over to a local temple in Tibet as an offering. Unable to change his fate, he wholeheartedly embraces his life as a monk and begins a quest for full enlightenment through the teachings of Buddhism.

From his local monastery to the famed Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, he learns deep mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Yearning to study with the current Dalai Lama, he eventually escapes from China by means of an excruciating 2,000-mile secret trek over the Himalayas - barefoot, with no extra gear, changes of clothing, or money. His dream is realized when he finally sits under the Dalai Lama himself. But his desire to go deeper only grows, leading him to unexpected conclusions....

Follow the fascinating, never-before-told, true story of what causes a highly dedicated Tibetan Buddhist monk to make the radical decision to walk away from the teachings of Buddha and leave his monastery to follow Jesus Christ.

©2019 Back to Jerusalem, Inc. (P)2019 eChristian

An Adventurous Spiritual Quest

This is a really wonderful and gripping story. I love a good story of a spritual quest. I learned a lot about Tibetan culture from this audiobook too - very interesting.

It was very valuable for me to see Tibetan Buddhism and Christianity from the perspective of a Tibetan monk. It is so easy for me as a Westerner to glorify the exotic, but this story helped bring Tibetan Buddhism back down to earth for me. It also helped me see the value and beauty of Christianity, which is easy for me to forget, being surrounded by it all the time.


I can't help but point out, though, that his spiritual dilemma could have been solved just as well by calling on the name of Amitabha Buddha, who saves by grace (as taught by Honen, for example). Or by adopting the teachings of Soto Zen Buddhism, which say that enlightenment is not something to be sought after as if it were different from ordinary experience, and that meditation should be an end in itself.

Well done and amazing read. Truly recommended.

One of the best books I've read in some time, with one of the best narrators I've ever heard. As a side note, I learned more about Buddhism in this one book than I've known ever in the past. But the story is not one to miss. And this reader--I don't know how he was picked to read this, but I really can't imagine anyone else having done such an amazing job. Truly fantastic. Thanks for writing, and narrating this inspired book.

An amazing story

Such an amazing story and so well written and well read. A profound Journey which helped me understand Buddhism better as well.

Riveting

I couldn’t put this story away. The narrator made pictures, sounds, and sensations dance in my soul. The writer wrote it like a novel and not a dry biography. The author is correct, this story needed to be told.
Rich, colorful, engaging, laugh, cry, despair and hope.
I was greatly edified in Christ listening to this man’s story.

Enjoyable and Inspirational

Loved the narrator!
Very profound and moving story, that will refresh your soul! Amen! Amen

Great book extraordinary experience

Very moving and realistic description. The book shared how the author found Christ thru his persistent pursuit of truth and enlightenment.

Must read

I have a Buddhist friend. This book helps me understand her resistance, and have empathy.

Wow what a story

I loved the storyline. It was very interesting to hear about his transition from being a Buddhist monk to becoming an evangelist to his people. I learned a great deal about Buddhism (especially Tibetan Buddhism) and the things they believe. I recommend this story for anyone over the age of ten because there are things that are mentioned or described in great detail that are not things young children should hear or would fully understand.

Very Impactful

A side of Tibetan Buddhism mostly hidden from Western practitioners. However, constant reinforcement of the necessity to earn salvation/enlightenment on the Buddhist path is very familiar. This book isn’t the whole story of the Tibetan Vajrayana path, but a aspect of the story that is important to hear. Dialogue and debate between religions should be encouraged not violently discouraged as what reportedly happened to the author. However, not sure someone espousing the way of the Buddha would be treated much differently in some rural Christian churches. A thought provoking and impactful read.

Excellent background of Buddhist beliefs

Enjoyed very much listening. Was not too long or seem long. You really get a better picture of what Christ is to Christianity. So brave was this author to become and seek Christ. Take your time to experience his transformation to becoming a Christian. Few have given witness in China as he has.

Harmful and unfair

This story paints such confused picture of Tibetan Buddhism. I was hoping that it would give realistic, rather than idealised by Westerners, account of everyday Tibetan spirituality. Instead it deliberately twists basic facts about Tibetan beliefs to put it in sharp contrast with Christian ideology. The book starts promising and then very quickly into simplistic black and white story. It is harmful and deceitful. Stay away from it.

Book for a wake up call

I really love this beautiful story. This dedicated man and all his sacrifices finally he found freedom and peace.